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.
Sunday 2nd April- Race #1, OKRC Marina
Sunday 30th April- Race #2, Mac Bay
Sunday 28th May- Race #3, Taieri Mouth
Sunday 2nd July- Race #4, Henley Bridge
Sunday 30th July- Race #5, Carey’s Bay
Otago Kayak Racing Club Facebook
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
https://www.southernlakesmultisportclub.co.nz/winter-kayak-series
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)
https://www.topsportracing.co.nz/home
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.
Thursday 15th June- Race #1 Time Trial
Thursday 22nd June- Race #2 Mass Start
Thursday 29th June- Race #3 Mini-marathon
https://www.webscorer.com/159644?pg=register
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