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Maitahi Outrigger Canoe Club invites you to: 

Tuna e Hoe Ana “Paddling with Eels“

February 9 @ 3:00 pm – February 10 @ 7:00 am

RACE OVERVIEW 

All races are held in Kerr Bay, Lake Rotoiti, on a course which has lots of turns. The course is visible from the shore at all times, so makes for great spectator viewing. (See race plan on following page). 

The W6 Open to Master 70 categories are three stage races (distances see below). Crews with a maximum of 8 members can change paddlers after each race. 

There will be race merchandise (cash and internet banking) and a BBQ sausage sizzle available. 

Remember this is an alpine event and the weather can be much colder than at sea level – also we share the lake with sand-flies, wasps and bumble bees – if allergic, please come prepared! 

Please note (participants and friends and whānau) that dogs are not permitted in Kerr Bay (not even in cars), as it is a National Park. Drones are not allowed either. Freedom camping is not permitted at the lake (however there is a DOC camping ground at Kerr Bay). 

RACE DISTANCES 

Single & Double Rangatahi (Int-J16) 2km 

Single & Double Master 70 5km 

Single & Double Nov. & Rangatahi(J19) 5km 

Single and Double Open to Master 60 10km 

W6 Rangatahi (Int) Sprint/2km 

W6 Rangatahi (J16) and Novice Sprint/5km or 7.5km* 

W6 Rangatahi (J19) Sprint/7.5km 

W6 Open to Master 70 Sprint / 7.5km/ 5km 

SUP Women & Men 5km 

*To be decided after consultation with crews 

CREW NUMBERS 

W6: Up to 8 paddlers. 

Note: Categories with single entrants will be combined with lower age groups. 

REGISTRATIONS 

Closing date: Friday, 26th January 2024. Late entries up until Monday, 5th February 2024 will incur a $15 penalty fee per paddler. After this date, no more entries will be accepted. 

Entry fees: Must be paid on registration. Refunds available for cancelled entries up until Friday, 2nd February 2024. 

Note – no payments accepted on race day! 

Registration queries: Tony Davies email Maitahi.race@gmail.com or M: 021 1696987 

Waka enquiries: Contact Tony Davies if you have waka available for others to use, or require waka. Email Maitahi.race@gmail.com or M: 021 1696987. Note – if you borrow a W6 through race organisers, there is a $150 fee, payable with entry fees – this will be passed on to the club lending the waka. 

RACE COURSE PLAN 

EVENT ITINERARY 

FRIDAY 9TH FEBRUARY (Prize giving to follow each race, once next race has started) 

3:00pm onwards Registrations for Single,Double and SUP races – all competitors must register and pick up race numbers. 

Event 1: SUP Women 5km; Single & Double Novice & M70 Women 5km; Single & Double Women, Mixed 10km 

3.30pm Waka and equipment inspected – all participants must be checked by safety inspectors 

3.45pm Karakia and race briefing 

4.00pm Race start 

Event 2: Single & Double Int & J16 Girls, Boys & Mixed 2km 

4.45pm Waka and equipment inspected – all participants must be checked by safety inspectors 

5.00pm Race briefing 

5.15pm Race start 

Event 3: Single & Double J19 Girls, Boys & Mixed 5km; SUP Men 5km; Single & Double Novice & M70 Men 5km; Single & Double Men 10km 

5.30pm Waka and equipment inspected – all participants must be checked by safety inspectors 

5.45pm Race briefing 

6.00pm Race start (finish by ~7:00pm) 

SATURDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 

7.00am onwards Registrations for W6 races – all crews must register and pick up race numbers 

Event 4: W6 Women Sprint, 7.5km, 5km 

7:30am Waka and equipment inspected – all crews must be checked by safety inspectors 

7.45am Karakia and race briefing 

8.00am Race start 

Event 5 W6 Men Sprint, 7.5km, 5km 

9:30am Waka and equipment inspected – all crews must be checked by safety inspectors 

9.45am Race briefing 

10.00am Race start 

Event 6: W6 Rangatahi (J19) Sprint,7.5km (J16, J19) & W6 Novice Sprint,5km, W6 Rangatahi (Int) Sprint,2km 

11.30am Waka and equipment inspected – all crews must be checked by safety inspectors 

1145am Race briefing 

12.00pm Race start 

Event 7: W6 Mixed 500m Sprint, 7.5km, 5km 

1.30pm Waka and equipment inspected – all crews must be checked by safety inspectors 

1.45pm Race briefing 

2.00pm Race start 

PRIZE-GIVING AND DINNER 

5.30pm Dinner, Lake Rotoiti Community Hall, Main Road St Arnaud village (see map) – BYO beverages – no bar! Prize giving to follow 

RACE RULES 

WAKA 

All waka must meet NKOA safety requirements. Single and double canoes can be without rudder (W) or with rudder (OC). We recommend small craft paddlers wear a leg leash. 

SAFETY EQUIPMENT 

  • Tow Rope (W6 only) 
  • Lifejackets: All waka must carry an MNZ approved lifejacket for each paddler. Rangatahi crews must wear their lifejackets. 
  • Senior W6 lifejackets to be worn/carried at discretion of Race Director. 
  • Spray-skirts: optional unless directed to be fitted by Race Director.. 
  • Bailers: All W6 must carry 2 bailers, and Singles and Doubles with cockpit 1 bailer. 
  • Spare paddles and lashings: all waka must carry 1 spare paddle and 2 spare lashings. 
  • SUP paddlers: must wear a flotation device and have a leash connected to their leg. 

CREW EXPERIENCE 

All paddlers must be suitably skilled to handle adverse conditions, capable of swimming in open water conditions, and capable of righting and bailing an overturned or swamped waka. It is the responsibility of the captain to ensure that this is the case. 

SAFETY 

The Race Director has the discretion to withdraw any competitor or crew, who they believe will endanger people’s safety. 

ASSISTANCE 

If a crew requires assistance during the race, paddlers should hold their paddles up to attract the attention of the support boat. 

DRESS 

Polyprop/merino are highly recommended, as this is an Alpine Event 

CRITERIA FOR RACE CATEGORIES 

(Age is taken as reaching the specified age in the year of the competition, 1 Jan – 31 Dec) 

  • Novice: less than one year’s paddling experience. Novice W6 crews can have an experienced steerer and one other experienced paddler 
  • Mixed: must have a minimum of three women paddlers 
  • Rangatahi (Int): 6 to 13 years old 
  • Rangatahi (J16): 11 to 16 years old 
  • Rangatahi (J19): 14 to 19 years old 
  • Master 40: women and men 40+ 
  • Master 50: women and men 50+ 
  • Master 60: women and men 60+ 
  • Master 70: women and men 70+ 

ENVIRONMENT 

Please remember that the race venue is in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Respect the lake and bush environment and take note that no dogs are allowed in the park (even in cars) – including on the lake foreshore. No drones are allowed. No lakeside camping apart from designated security by agreement with DOC. Please note this is a zero waste event. Please take all your waste away from the lake. Rubbish bins will not be provided. 

Note also that the lake has didymo, so if your waka and equipment are going to be used on freshwater after the race, you will need to clean and dry them. For more information visit www.doc.govt.nz 

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS 

BACKPACKER ACCOMMODATION 

Alpine Lodge info@alpinelodge.co.nz 

03 521 1869 / 0800 367 777 www.alpinelodge.co.nz 

Red Deer Lodge https://www.nzdanelson.co.nz/rdl.html 

Eva Virtue has offered to coordinate bookings for Red Deer Lodge, please contact her at eva.virtue@xtra.co.nz 

GUEST ROOMS AND SELF-CONTAINED APARTMENTS/ COTTAGES 

Alpine Lodge info@alpinelodge.co.nz 

03 521 1869 / 0800 367 777 www.alpinelodge.co.nz 

Tophouse Historic Hotel info@tophouse.kiwi 

03 521 1269 / 021 108 9266 www.tophouse.co.nz 

CAMPSITES 

DoC Campsite Kerr Bay www.doc.govt.nz 

Book online – bookings necessary to secure a spot 

MOTEL ACCOMMODATION 

Holiday Cottages http://www.starnaudholidaycottages.co.nz/cottageAlphineEscape.php 

Nelson Lakes Motels info@nelsonlakes.co.nz 

03 521 1887 http://www.nelsonlakes.co.nz/accommodation 

We have many accommodation options; from backpacker to beautiful self-contained motels and family cottages. We are very happy to offer Tuna e Hoe Ana paddlers a 10% Discount. 

Please book well in advance by phone and mention “Maitahi Outriggers” for discount to apply