More than 20 paddlers gathered at the iconic spot for the inaugural Hydro Tasmania Cataract Gorge Extreme Race.  It comes after the North Esk Paddle Fest at Corra Lin on Saturday.

Extreme Race organiser Geoff Macqueen said he hoped the event would go on to be held annually.

“Hydro Tasmania has assured us the water will be on twice a year to enable us to run the race,” he said.

“There have been a few guys come from interstate, and even a competitor from Germany.”

Stuart Brown was among those to make the trip from outside the state, travelling down from Cairns to take part in a series of events. He described Sunday’s white water as “world class”.

“The race is on a really nice slalom rapid,” he said.

“I was researching another race down here when I found out about this one.

“Since being here, I’ve met 30 to 40 new people.”