FOUR Bendigo canoeists will feature in Australian wildwater teams to contest the junior, under-23 and senior world titles.
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The Bendigo Canoe Club's Maddie Batters, Imogen Douglass, Max McDonald and James Humphy won selection after impressive performances at last months Wildwater National Championship on the Goulburn River.
It is the first time three of the paddlers have been selected in national teams, while for Batters it is her 11th time, including flatwater sprint.
Bendigo Canoe Club coach Tony Misson said Batters would have to decide whether to compete a full season of senior world cups and world title, or focus on the under-23 world titles in Austria.
He said Douglass and McDonald had worked their way towards selection over a number of years, while Humphry's ascent to the Australian team was inspiring.
"He's only been involved in the club program for 15 months and was introduced into whitewater paddling (without rudders) to make him more balanced and to improve his flatwater paddling," Misson said.
"Last year James got involved in downriver and river races primarily for fun, however he has taken to it and made significant improvement especially in the longer classic races."
All four paddlers will be involved in a series of camps over the next few months, including one at the Olympic course in Penrith and Blue Gum at Eildon.
The junior and under-23 world championships will be held in Murau, Austria, from July 26-30.
Meanwhile, Bendigo Canoe Club will next month launch another junior program. For inquiries email BCC@live.com.au