Based primarily at the foot of the mountains, the team has enjoyed success in the past 18 months, with gold medals, personal bests and representative selection, coming as easily as their effortless pursuit through the whitewater.

Earlier this month the team added another notch to the belt, utilising their home ground advantage at Penrith Whitewater to dominate the Canoe Slalom State Championships. Five gold, one silver and four bronze medals, was an outstanding result through the challenging 18-gate course.

Canoe slalom manager Glenn Hodson said: ``We have a very talented group of young athletes and their result at the State Championships our best ever is testimony to their hard work.

While all the Western Sydney squad performed well, 14-year-old Jessica Fox, of Leonay, stole the show.

She showed why she is tipped to be the next big thing in the sport, winning three gold medals, including victory in the inaugural Ladies C1 class in an exciting head-to-head clash with teammate Ali Borrows, of Lapstone. The men also had their fair share of success, with Ethan Hodson, of East Blaxland, claiming the under-18 gold medal and coming third in the Open category. Ben Horlyck, of Glenbrook, won gold in the under-18 K1 men's category and also a bronze in the Open age group.

Amazingly, almost everyone in the squad won medals: Joey Croft, of Glenbrook, Phillip Kennedy, of Warrimoo, and Alison Burrows, of Lapstone.

The group's next challenge is the Youth Olympics selection trials in December at Penrith Whitewater, where several members are in contention for the green and gold.