The 10km handicapped race involved four trips around Duck Island, with portages on the first and third laps enabling competitors to get out and stretch their legs.

C2 team Chris and Simon started the race and put in quick strokes to hold the rest of the field at bay until the end of the second lap.

Tavis Cameron and Mark Bull started five minutes later and tried in vain to catch the C2 on the opening lap, but the C2 team didn't make it easy when it took a shortcut between Duck and Little Duck Islands.

The TK1s were the next canoes off the rank, with Larry Wilson, Brett Smithurst, Al Cameron and Alison Whitehead paddling furiously until Smithurst suggested that, given they weren't attempting to break any records, they should steady the pace.

With a five minute head start on the TK2s and K1, the TK1s tried valiantly to hold off the three canoes approaching from the rear.

Unfortunately, Steve Jenje didn't read the script, flying past the field to take victory.

The next event will be a 15km race on April 1; registration will be at 7.30am for an 8am start.

RACE RESULTS

Class; Name; Time

K1; Steve Jenje; 1:02:40

TK2; David Knight and Tina McCarthy; 1:06:10, Daryl Storer and Char; 1:07:17

TK1; Alison Whitehead; 1:10:20, Al Cameron; 1:16:05, Brett Smithurst; 1:17:10, Larry Wilson; 1:19:13

TC2; Tavis Cameron and Mark Bull; 1:22:23

C2; Chris Kuhne and Simon; 1:33:55