In Canada for the Canada Day Regatta at Ottawa was a contingency of canoeists made up of 20 male and female athletes and 5 coaches representing Australia.  They were there to compete on an International stage against America, Puerto Rico and host country Canada.

The teams were Under 18 and Under 23/Open male and female.  All were selected based on their performance at the Australian National Championships in March.  

Fraser McTavish (Year 12) from Pittwater House is in the Under 18 Male (U18M) category of which there are 6 national spots available.  He and his K2 partner Ben McLean are the only team members from New South Wales this year and are good friends as well as partners in the K2 and they make up 50% of the crew on the K4, the other 2 boys are from Queensland.  

The first day of the competition ended with some spectacular results. 

The K4 team which Fraser is a member won their first International Gold Medal in the 200m.

Fraser and his team mate Ben McLean were placed 3rd in their K2 x 1000m earning them the opportunity to advance straight to the semi-final. 

K1 x 200m was Fraser's next event and he placed 5th allowing him to advance to the second day of competition.  

K2 x 200m Ben & Fraser placed 2nd advancing straight to final 

Fraser and his team mate Ben's results for this regatta are impressive with 3 and 4 medal finishes respectively!

The second day of competition offered Fraser and his team mates another opportunity to continue their success. 

The K4 team which included Fraser picked up 2 gold medals in the K4 x 1000m ­ and K4 x 200m ­events. In the K2 events Fraser and his team mate Ben were placed 5th in the K2 x 1000m and received a Bronze medal for their 3rd position in the K2 x 200m. In the individual K1 event Fraser also achieved 9th in the 200m. 

Lake Placid - New York

Following on from their success the team was ready for their next compeition at the Lake Pacid International, this event is America's largest Print Canou/Kayak Race. With over 380 competitors representing USA, Canada, Mexico, Venezula, Holland, Porto Rico, Columbia and Australia the competition will be world class.

 Racing began with 1,000 metre distances with Fraser K4 team taking out 3rd place behind Canada and Mexico.  The next day was "full on" with many heats, semi's and finals in the 200 metre distance.  Fraser¹s K4 crew earned a gold then he and team mate Ben managed to score a silver finish in their K2 behind fellow Aussie teammates and ahead of another.

 Fraser returns from both international regattas with 3 golds, a silver and 2 bronze medals but more importantly the Australian National Team's investment, hard work, preparation and planning has paid off with them collectively medaling in 21 events in Ottawa and 18 events in Lake Placid.