Friday, April 3, 2020

The Foxton Loop Race - 2020

The Event this year is timed for Saturday August 22. Every year the date is set within 1 month from the date of the event just held.

Last year we had 48 paddlers on the water for the revived event, however our goal has always been to achieve around 80 - 100 paddlers on the water at this event every year, a number which is very achievable.

                             click any photo to enlarge

Above is the circuit around the loop. Unless we get a descent flood this year to clear the vegetation and flush some sedement, it is likely we'll be running last years configurations. Below is a picture of the mentioned blockage at the "S" bend at the very southern (narrow end) end of the loop before it joins back onto the Manawatu River. This blockage covers an area of approx 200 metres in length and 3 - 5 metres in width. This photo has been taken from the farmers bridge looking east towards the Tararua range.

There is one change of last year in that we are moving the start finish point down to the boat ramp close to the intersection of Union and Harbour Streets. There are two very good reasons for this 1. Better launching for all craft 2. Increase the opportunity for better photos of all paddlers

So again the long course is here and will be 12.5 km

 For the short courses a buoy will be placed 1.5km from the start /finish. There will again be a 3 km course = 1 lap and a 6 km course = 2 laps. The rational for this option is again that paddlers and spectators can see and yell out support for each other on each lap.

Event time frames

Registration from 11.00 am
Event briefing at 12.15 am
Start times
12.30 am Recreational craft 12 km
12.40 am All W6's and surf canoes 12 km
12.42 am W1 and W2 12 km
12.44 am All Kayaks surf skis 12 km
12.50 am short courses 3 km & 6 km

Spot prizegiving - 2.15 pm - 2.30 pm (10 minutes after the last paddler finishes)

All the event entry detail contained here https://www.facebook.com/events/502211403760832/

Ruamahanga Kayak Race

Six days before the Foxton Loop Race the Wairarapa Multisports Club are holding the Annual Ruamahanga Kayak Race.

This years event is on Sunday August 16.....Note this date may be changed to September 6 due a clash with the Mukamuka Munter.

For both Welly Paddlers and Wairarapa Multsiports this is a strategic allignment. The rational is what I tend to do myself when travelling to the South Island with paddling events, I check in to see if events in some regions are a week apart to take in a couple of events and also to tour around, enjoy a break or work remotely.
The opportunity now exists for anyone travelling from either Auckland or the South Island to make these events on an extended road trip.

                    click on any photo to enlarge

Again thanks to Derek Cox from the Wairarapa Multisports Club for sharing this vision.
The event is on grade 1+ water and has a long course 28 km from Kokotau Bridge and a short course 12 km from Morrisons Bush, with both courses finishing at the Martinborough Bridge.
http://www.wmsc.org.nz/Kayaking/Ruamahanga-Race

NOTE : If there are any extentions to the dates above, we will update this info and place a post on the Welly Paddlers Facebook page noting any changes.

The current list of  "various events" is on the event calendar on the left hand side of this page.

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