Former Olympic rowing champion Rob Waddell has outlined his desire to return to the Olympics next year.

The 2000 single sculls gold medalist has won his first competitive race since returning to rowing, beating a top class field in the K1 regatta at Lake Karapiro. Waddell says the intensity of racing is much tougher than when he last competed. He says it was like lining up in an international race as there were so many good competitors in the race.

The field included four current world champions - Mahe Drysdale, Eric Murray, Nathan Cohen and Storm Uru.