...The time trial was won in record time, and head-to-head racing down the grade 5 ‘Rollercoaster' provided some upsets.

Rotorua's Bradley Lauder took home the cash for the mens event ahead of Jared Meehan (Tauranga).

Bradley Lauder (left), Jared Meehan (right)

Jared recovered from some trouble in the first round, doing part of the rapids upside down and hitting some rocks to take it right to the end with Lauder. Lauder showed good skills and smooth lines to edge out the competition after a tough season in Europe last year.

Toni George of Auckland won the ladies prize money ahead of Polly Green (USA) in one of the most exciting finals ever seen. They exchanged the lead 4-5 times and had multiple contacts before George snuck past Green right before the line. The crowd could be heard echoing through the gorge.

The qualification time trial results showed the local advantage in the mens with Rotoruas Sam Sutton winning with a time of 5'15, bettering Johann Roozenburg's race record set in 2004 by 3 seconds. 2nd Place was Tauranga's Mike Dawson on 5'18, and 3rd was Kenny Mutton, in 5'20.

In the womens class Otaki's Louise Jull showed great form taking out the time-trial in 5'46, ahead of Rotorua's Leela Samuels 5'59.

The cut-throat character of this race was evident in the first round with the knock out of Sam Sutton being the huge upset. The quality of the field meant all pair ups from the second round were battles for victory.  Here Mike Dawson, world number 2, came off second best against world number four, Slovenia's Dejan Kralj. "I was in front after a lot of contact with Dejan in the first rapid, but blew my line getting washed the long way around the rock and he got past me," Dawson said.

Dejan Kralj who had just finished filming a movie on the West Coast runs said "I lost lots of time in the time trial as I didn't know where to go, its really great place and good fun, espeacilly with 3 boats in some races - but that portage back to the top is so hard once you have to do it a couple of times!!!"

Tauranga junior paddlers Lawerence Brown (17) and Regan August (15) showed great promise making it to the second round, with Regan taking home the Paddle-Power.com sponsored prize for most promising junior after taking his second round match up right to the last stroke.

In the semi finals, Lauder beat Tim Pickering (Rotorua) with quick and efficient paddling down the technically demanding course and Meehan showed his local knowledge of the river against former champ Kenny Mutton.

The final was a battle to the finish, with Lauder leading early, and holding Meehan off through the crux move of the race.

Lauder (left), Meehan (right) in the "Couldron" entrance to the "Rollercoaster" in final race.

A small mistake from Meehan close to the finish meant Lauder continuing with smooth lines to the finish, could take home the cash prize and the bragging rights for 2010. "I was just having nice smooth lines all day," Lauder said.

After a one year hiatus, Johann Roozenburg took on the event organization and was pleased how the race went. "It all ran smoothly and was easily completed in the new one day format before we ran out of water. I have had lots of great feedback from competitors and sponsors - they particularly liked the addition of the raft held start, to make the racing really tight. I hope that this is just the start of the next chapter of the Wairoa Extreme race as I have a few ideas for next year."

Thanks to Sponsors:
Bliss-Stick Kayaks, Daniel Riley won the kayak spot prize. Paddle-power.com, Daytwo paddling gear, Rochfort Paddles, Cumec Magazine.

Thanks to helpers:
Lance and Tina, Kaimai Canoe Club, the Sutton Family, Stefan Gilmour, Racheal Tombleson for the awesome t-shirts and everyone else who chipped in on the day.