Not only in Penrith weed is causing a problem. The photo above is taken at the national water sports centre in Nottingham, Great Britain.

Tom Collings | Australian Canoeing - Australia’s senior 1000 metre men protested against the state of the course at the Sydney International Regatta Centre on the weekend.

The venue was hosting the 2015 NSW Canoe Sprint Championships with the men making their stance in the opening race on Saturday morning.

Lead by Ken Wallace, Murray Stewart and Lachlan Tame, the 1000 metre men as collective group decided to make a statement against what they believe to be “unfair” racing conditions.

While they acknowledge that SIRC is one the best venues in the world they believe the ever presence of weed on the racing course provides an un-even playing field.

“It is one of the best facilities going around but the water is atrocious,” Tame said.

It is an issue that has been on the athletes’ minds for quite some time.

“We dedicate our whole lives to racing and we always look for a fair race and it just wasn’t fair, and it has never been fair from what I have heard across the last 10-15 years of racing.”

The senior men trained on the course on Wednesday afternoon and were frustrated that it hadn’t been improved.

“If I had to grade it out of 10 it was a 2. You could not go more than 200m without getting weed,” Tame said.

“We did train and I guess training doesn’t matter if you get beaten by someone, but if you are getting beaten in a race and it is not from your wrongdoing then it is not fair.”

The senior men are hoping that organisers will shift the selection races to alternate venues.

“For one we are hoping to find a different location for our selections or even for more diligence and care taken in cleaning the course at SIRC so that we can race there.”

Australian Canoeing

Australian Canoeing CEO Greg Doyle said AC regrets the choice of athletes to not compete as planned at the NSW state regatta and the disruption this action caused to the event and to the officials who had worked hard to accommodate the needs of the national squad.

"We are acutely aware of the issues at SIRC and understand the athletes," frustration Doyle said.

"AC is working closely with SIRC to prepare the course for our planned 2015 national events including assessing the additional resources required for improved field of play. Furthermore, we are continuing to consult with the NSW Government for a sustainable solution involving major works at SIRC."

"As planned, AC will  determine the location of the 2016 Olympic Trials at its 15 February 2015 Board meeting, including proposals to conduct the trials in Adelaide or Perth where there is not an aquatic plant issue on the course."

Also read: Clint Robinson slams Penrith Lakes venue for Olympic canoeing selection