As you head over the ramp near the start of the lap, hop into the jump to gain a small boost. When you land, drive through the water at the track’s center. When the track dips down, maintain your heading and hop from the top of the decline. As the course bends to the right, you should land in the water along the left edge. After you plunge into the deep water, stay to the left.
As you surface, hop from the ramp’s edge, then make a hard drift to the left. Try to stay near the path’s center to take advantage of the flowing water. As you turn the corner, look for the Piranha Plant ahead of you. Maintain your drift as long as possible, then Super Mini-Turbo toward the narrow walkway on your left. The Piranha Plant has quite a range, so keep your distance until you pass it.
Drift through the small bends, and focus on staying in the water. As you approach the next turn, veer to the right, then make a hard drift to the left. Resist the urge to cut across the walkway! The Goombas are easy enough to dodge, but you’ll move much faster if you stay in the water. As you come out of the turn, Super Mini-Turbo into the straightaway.
Look for the dash panels near the upcoming drop, then pull onto the walkway to your left. Drive straight across the dash panel; you’re aiming for the coins ahead of you. After you land, drive through the coins and drop to the ground.
As you approach the next turn, veer to the right and drift back to the left. Be careful! You’ll lose a lot of time if you slip off the path. Drift gently at first, then adjust your angle as you round the corner. Try to charge a Super Mini-Turbo before you come out of the turn; the extra boost will help keep you on the track. Drift through the next turn, then follow the path into the underwater corridor.
Through the first half of the corridor, try to drift down the path’s center. As you head through the curve, veer toward the right wall. Maintain your drift as you drive across the dash panel, but stay close to the wall. Ride the boost past the Piranha Plant, then release the drift to Super Mini-Turbo toward the exit. When you reach the glide panel, hop into a barrel roll and glide down the center of the path.
Try to avoid the water pouring out of the drain pipes. You lose altitude each time you pass through a downpour, so it’s important to limit your contact. As you approach the ledge, aim for the small bush in the grass ahead of you.
When you land, maintain your heading. Use a Mushroom to boost straight across the grass. After you smash through the bush, continue through the small gap in the fence. This shortcut saves time, and it’s the easiest way to avoid the wandering Goomba. You return to the track just as it curves to the left. Drift through the turn, then Mini-Turbo toward the end of the lap.
Tactics for Laps 2 and 3
Use the same tactics to complete the remaining laps. Stick to the water whenever possible, and use that shortcut!