Welly Paddlers

The 24 th running of the Foxton Loop race provided all the paddlers with a good challenge with a handy little North Westerly flicking around and keeping everyone honest. At the start the wind was pretty tame but after the 1 hour mark it picked up a few more clicks and made for a few challenging wind swells especially out on the Manawatu River. The wind wasn't the only challenge as the first 9 km to the Foxton Township turn point was into the outgoing tide.

I guess it all came down to experience knowing how to tuck out of the wind and the tide and when to cross the river and on the bends where on the Manawatu River, where to cut or go wide on the corners, which were quite shallow. I guess there were a few of us old salts that had it figured and had the right boat and a more measured approach over the 18km................hey not everyone can win...............you just have to get out there and enjoy the challenge as most paddlers did.

There were also 6 SUP paddlers this year and they did a 6 km out and back course with most managing to make it to the finish before the wind started to pick up. Local Glenn Butcher from Wind Warrior did a great job getting a good number of people through some SUP demos up to 3 hours before the race started, so big ups to Glenn.

The total number of paddlers out today reached 51 which was a pretty good turnout considering the circumstances. I think by looking around there were a couple of paddlers from Wairarapa a good turnout of Juniors and also Seniors from Wanganui Multisport paddlers from The Kupe Canoe Club in Wellington who may have out numbered those from fellow Wellington Club Mana Kayak Racing also well supported by paddlers from Ashurst, Levin and not forgetting Palmerstom North.

The event was ably run by the Ruahine White Water Club with help from a few friends who assisted in promoting the event. They had a selection of hot soups and bread tea and coffee at the finished all funded from the entry fees competitors paid and also well supported by the Manawatu Marine boating Club who have just awesome facilites that all the paddlers surely apreciated. The event wound up with medals for the first 3 in a number of classes and also a good few handfulls of spot prizes. For results and other photos go to www.rwwc.org.nz

Not only were there paddlers out in force but a big thanks must go to Kelvin Texeira from the Horowhenua Mail for putting both a pre race and post race article in the free weekly local newspaper. Also Michael Feyen a passionate local supporter of the Foxton Loop and Manawatu River for his video and TV work on the race and interviewing some of the locals and the odd famous identity that happened to turn up to this iconic event.


Attached are a few photos that Sharlene took before she was called away take care of my ski. Ian Ferguson, Matt Archer, Marianne Archer and myself.............. and also the first 4 across the line and Liam Drew feature................click on any photo to enlarge