Teva race director Peter Rand, of Turners Beach, made the claim after the successful completion of the inaugural event.

Hobart kayaker Dan Hall won the championship from Justin Boocock, of Launceston, and Ben Maynard, of Devonport.

Georgia Le Plastrier, of Melbourne, won the women's event from Carol Hurst, of Hobart, and Tanya Faux, of Sydney.

Mr Rand said that high men's entry numbers meant that eight or nine heats were needed to narrow the field down for the final.

The women had about four heats, he said.

"It was a fantastic event from both the competitors' and officials' point of view," Mr Rand said.

"It came together really well and we're trying to make Cataract Gorge the permanent home of the event.

"It's the hardest event in Australia to qualify for, and competitors were extremely knackered after qualifying.

"There were heaps of skun knuckles, a broken rib and several thrashings.

"A thrashing is where you're thrown out of your boat and you have to swim down a big section of whitewater, trying to catch your boat."

A concurrently run rafting event also proved popular, as it was a selection event for the world championships in Equador later this year.

Results - Rafting: Women, Foxy Ladies 1180 1, Chicas 1040 2, X Stream 900 3. Men: Liquid Life 1300 1, Team Cairns 1040 2, Tassie Uni 780 3.