Avoca Beach’s Natalia Drobot started the day strong, winning gold in the U19 Female Single Ski.
“It means a lot - coming from Avoca there’s only a small number of us here,” Drobot said.
“Just putting the cap on and racing for them is special, and getting a win for them as well makes it incredible,” she said.
The 18-year-old is currently training on the Gold Coast as part of Paddle Australia’s Sprint Kayaking National Centre of Excellence, saying the flat conditions at Scarborough Beach worked in her favour.
“I think definitely in these flat conditions, my kayaking training has paid off a lot,” Drobot said.
“I’m super happy to have these conditions…I know everyone else loves to have a big surf but for a kayaker it’s a dream out there,” she said.
Earlier in the week, Drobot teamed up with Avoca Beach clubmate and fellow Australia kayaker to win gold in the Open Female Double Ski.
“Coming into this event we had no expectations on us because this is our first carnival of the year,” Drobot said.
“Coming away with two golds is just incredible, it’s a bonus. Being here, with everyone, is a win already and having the medals just adds to it.
“It means a lot to even be allowed to do this carnival as a kayaker, I’m feeling very lucky,” she said.
Redhead SLSC’s Lani Waller joined the Central Coast medal tally, with a gold medal in the U17 Female Board Race.
“I have no words at all, I’m literally in shock,” Waller said.
“I knew I had to push and I know I’m not the best runner so I did what I could and I got to the end. The club at Redhead is so good, the community is amazing and I’m so happy,” she said.
Images by Harvpix.
