The summer season may be over but that doesn’t mean the racing has dried up. If that is what you are into, there are heaps of opportunities to line up all over the country to keep you race-fit, active and motivated over the winter months.
Here are some of the series and events coming up this winter, starting from the bottom of the south!
Dunedin Winter Paddle Series 2023
Run by Otago Kayak Racing Club at various paddling spots across Dunedin, this series is all inclusive, whatever craft you paddle or level of ability. Includes a recreational option for social paddling.
Southern Lakes Multisport Club Winter Kayak Series
Five fantastic kayak races at different locations throughout the region. Catering to all abilities and classes of kayak, races are handicapped to give everyone a chance to win and ensure no one is left behind. There is a great social atmosphere, led by the camaraderie of being hard-core in the depths of winter!
Sunday 11th June- Race 1, Frankton
Sunday 25th June- Race 2, Cromwell
Sunday 9th July- Race 3, Wanaka
Sunday 23 July- Race 4, Lake Hayes
Sunday 6th August- Race 5, Clutha River
Topsport Pro-Am Winter Race Series The series consists of three kayak races on the Lower Waimakariri River in Canterbury, with the aim to cater for both new and seasoned paddlers. Each race has a different start location with the races increasing in length as the series progresses.
Sunday 7th May- Race 1 (15km)
Sunday 11th June- Race 2 (20km)
Sunday 9th July- Race 3 (30km)
Hello Winter series
To "celebrate" the shortest day and winter coming up, Wiki's Night Racing and Arawa Canoe Club are offering a short race series in June.
Kupe Winter series
Starting at the end of April and running through to end of August, Kupe Canoe club run a fortnightly race on Saturday mornings (8am), starting and finishing at their shed in Evans Bay. On alternate weeks, they will run a group paddle. This is for craft where self-rescue is possible (eg Ski, waka) only.
Saturday 13th May
Saturday 27th May
Saturday 10th June
Saturday 24th June
Saturday 8th July
Saturday 22nd July
Saturday 5th August
Saturday 19th August
Takapuna Winter Paddling series
The Takapuna winter races are fun, casual races to help keep Auckland paddlers active and social over the winter. Held on Sunday afternoons monthly off at Takapuna Baoting Club, there are 3 course options to suit any level of paddler- 6-8km long course, 3-5km short course, and 1-2km sprint course suitable for juniors or newer paddlers. Open to oceanski/surfskis (or any other type of ocean-going kayak), SUP and Waka ama.
Sunday 28th May
Sunday 25th June
Sunday 30th July
Sunday 27th August
Sunday 17th September
Kayak Krazy 10km Winter series
The Kayak Krazy 10km series is made up club-run paddling races around New Zealand to keep all paddlers active and connected over the winter months. With something to suit for all ages and abilities in a fun, relaxed club environment, events are held between June and September/October every year, culminating in the 10km National Champs in Rotorua. 2023 Dates to be released in June.
Other Events:
Sunday 20/21 May- NZ Canoe Marathon Champs, Auckland
Sunday 20th August- Foxton Loop Race, Foxton
3-5 September- Aims Games (Intermediate school event)
Sunday 24th September - Cambridge to Hamilton Paddle Race
Check out the Paddler.nz events calendar for more.