Australian Institute of Sport kayakers Murray Stewart and Naomi Flood were the standout performers at the Australian Canoe/Kayak Grand Prix 2 event in Penrith over the weekend.

The Sydney International Regatta Centre played host to Australia’s top sprinters, as well as a sizeable contingent from overseas, and Stewart and Flood showed their growing credentials.

Flood, 24, has only recently moved to the Gold Coast to train as part of the AIS women’s squad and has already showed her rapid improvement as she makes the transition from surf racing.

Flood won both the women’s K1 1000m and the women’s K4 500m, while she claimed fourth in the women’s K2 500m in a successful weekend of racing.

In the K1 1000m, Flood, who is a former surf-ski world champion, won by eight seconds from Alyce Burnett, with Ivana Kanyitur in third place.

Flood then combined with fellow AIS athletes Hailey McGinty, Hannah Davis and Lyndsie Fogarty to win the K4 500m in a time of 1:37.57, leading home New Zealand’s strongest crew by some 2.5 seconds.

Flood said she is still adapting to her new sport as she bids for a place in London.

‘[I’m trying] to learn how to paddle it really quickly in a short period of time,’ Flood said.

‘It’s going well. It’s just a slow progression. Each time I get in the boat, I feel a little bit more comfortable.’

In the men’s racing, Stewart claimed victory in the men’s K1 1000m, K1 500m, K4 1000m and the men’s K2 500m, whilst he finished second in the men’s K1 200m.

Stewart is aiming for his Olympic debut in London next year and is showing all the signs of a bright future in the sport.

In the men’s K1 1000m Stewart finished 1.2 seconds clear of British paddler Paul Wycherley, while AIS’ Jacob Clear was third.

Stewart and Clear combined for victory in the K2 500m event, while Matthew Urquhart and Tate Smith joined the pair to form the all AIS crew that won the K4 1000m.

‘It’s important for me to perform and I am happy to be doing it so far,’ said Stewart.

‘It is a massive positive for me to get a few solid wins under my belt.’

The AIS kayaking squad will now return to the Gold Coast as they continue preparations ahead of the national selection events and the Australian Championships in March.