The Motorway Race and coaching weekend

Wind forecast for Sunday March 25, as at 7.00pm March 24

North Westerly 26 kmh gusting to 43 kmh 

High tide 7.37am
low tide 1.52pm

A North Westerly wind is not an issue on this course, if you don't like wind, you can paddle 5 to 10 metres from the shoreline to avoid a large percentage of the wind/windgusts. 

Before we ran our first race on the Motorway course in February 2004, the course was already alive and kicking with Mark Watson first intiating "The Motorway race" in 1989 as part of a series of kayak marathons in Wellington.

Mark ran this event through to the 21st century and then with the forming of the Mana Kayak Racing Club the focus with the weekend races have eventually evolved to courses more suitable for K1 racing.

The Wellington Harbour Craft Paddle Series is where it all started for us in Wellington, prior to this we'd been running the Ngaruroro River race in Hawkes Bay for 7 years in the 90's. When I lived in Hamilton in the late 80's early 90's I also came down to race one of the first Motorway races in a K1.

This will now be the 9 th year that we've run a race on the Motorway course.

Also worth a mention, Ian Ferguson is running some coaching sessions in Wellington on the same weekend. Friday March 23 at 6.30 pm http://kupe.org.nz/notices/technique-sessions-with-ian-fergusson/ there will be a theory/technical session at Fergs Kayaks, Queens Wharf, Wellington, as far as I am aware this will be a free session?

On Saturday there will be some on the water coaching (done in groups) so if you are at the Friday night session just talk to Ian about these sessions, there will be a charge for the practical (on water) sessions.

For more details contact Dave Annear at Fergs Kayaks Wellington 04 499 8898

A selection of photos from our races in 2008, 09 10 and 2011
click on photos to enlarge

So now the nuts and bolts of this years race.

Read the information on the flyer on the right hand side of the page.

The last update for this race will be posted here on March 24 at 7 pm.

From this update you'll know what the race day forecast is and also the exact course that we will be racing if the weather is a little messy.

We won't cancel the race as we have 3 courses planned for various weathers conditions, one will mean a shift in the start/finish location.

All entry money will go into the prize pool for the race, we'll also have results and photos posted by 8pm same day.

The course is close to the shoreline, and the full course can be paddled within 10 metres of the shoreline and in the shelter if need be.

There will be no motorised safety boats patrolling this race, in our races all competitors are expected to look after each other and offer assistance, if it is called for.

Paddling with the comfort of the shoreline close to you, so you can self rescue, is the most responsible option for you as a paddler, as is having the correct clothing and safety gear for the craft that you are paddling in, looking at the conditions on the day.  

All competitors must be on land, and within the range of my voice to listen to the BRIEFING AT 9.50 AM with your listening ears on please.