Monday, September 2, 2019

Foxton Loop Race round up

Huge thanks to everyone for supporting the revived Foxton Loop Race. 
We are sure the event will go from strength to strength from here on in, as it has done since 1988 when The Ruahine White Water Club first organised the event.


Thanks to everyone who travelled from Waitara, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Dannevirke, Palmerston North, Foxton, Bulls, Napier, Lower Hutt, Porirua and Wellington, with a mix belonging to kayak clubs, multisport clubs or are purely in it for fitness and looking after your general health and wellbeing.....and why not, paddling is so therapeutic !


From a Community perspective the people of Foxton just loved seeing some action on their beloved special waterway. The Community is working hard to see that action is taken to remedy some waterway engineering issues that have occurred over the years, that cause the river loop to block up with weed at the south eastern end of the river loop. When there are significant winter floods the loop is just able to be navigated, though it'quite narrow in parts. The offending blocked section below.


In 2020 we will again see changes....so there could well be some course amendments as we are mindful how windy it can be especially out on the Manawatu River. We also may just strike it lucky where we can paddle fully around the 12 km river loop circuit gaining momentum from the tide following us back through to the finish.


Next Year we will set up down by the boat ramp....the current venue provides close proximity to the centre of Foxton, outlook and viewing from inside Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom Museum... however it's less practical for launching craft......and not the best for taking photos of both starts.
In the old days the boat ramp area had been used at one point, though it was quite boggy when wet.....so there can be set up issues at both ends.
Next year we will also start the Long course first....with two start times....then 5 minutes later start the short course,  to limit the wait around time for the spot prize giving for the short course.

The short course will also head out the same way as the long course.....as the waterway is too narrow for the 180 degree turns.... and next year with more paddlers we'll need more turning space for everyone.

This week - Look out for articles and photos in the Manawatu Evening Standard (online with Stuff) and the local papers Horowhenua Mail and Horowhenua Chronicle.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/115449310/whanganui-paddlers-in-hot-form-on-the-water-at-foxton-loop-event

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/horowhenua-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503788&objectid=12263951


Event video Courtesy of Rueben Hill - https://youtu.be/k_7CKG3sqFE

Results here - www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=193061

This event is one that requires the highest spring tide to get around the narrow end of the loop.
So next year Saturday August 22 lines up as the best date. The event will also start at 1 pm as the tide takes extra time to fully reach Foxton from the Coast.

                                       
                                         Click on any photo to enlarge

In closing this year thanks to Sharlene for keeping things running smoothly in the registration and timing section. This year we were able assisted by our Niece Laurelle, Daniel, Shelley Butcher, Matt Warren and Bev Brown who lead the charge with all the old school baking.

The most important thanks to everyone who came along and paddled on Saturday for the travelling to get to Foxton and also all those who supported the paddlers by bringing craft on trailers and vehicles, it all come as a costs you time and fuel in your vehicles, so we really appreciate your efforts.

One last big thanks to Kayak HQ in Nelson www.kayakhq.co.nz for all the Adrenalin 2P thermal pants and tops that we purchased from their online shop

Welly Paddlers Events coming up.......

Downwind Event September 29 - Eastbourne
Details here - www.facebook.com/events/893573457668530/ 

Monthly - Welly Paddlers Organise 1 x event every month between Wellington City, Petone and Porirua.

Weekly - Wednesday Twilight paddle series from Dolly Vardon Beach, by the Mana Bridge -
October 2 - December 18
January 8 - March 25
Details here - www.facebook.com/events/2332780910384020/

Our biggest event is "The Motorway Classic" Sunday March 22 with 14 km, 6 km & 3 km distances attracting between 80 - 150 paddlers.




No comments:

Post a Comment