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IMPORTANT Race Information
Race Day Details
Start Location: Mt White Bridge
Finish Location: Gorge Bridge
Distance: 70km
Registration: TBC
Race Start (first wave): TBC
Race estimated time:
- Advanced - <4hrs 15 mins approx.
- Intermediate - 4hrs 40 mins approx.
- Novice - 5hrs 20 mins approx.
Race Day Timeline
To be confirmed...
Your Kayak and Compulsory Gear
The compulsory gear list is shown as an image below, this will also be emailed out to all who are racing.
This list is a minimum requirement - feel free to include additional gear. Synthetic, natural or composite thermal products are acceptable. Cotton is unacceptable. A compression garment is not a thermal garment.
Kayaks must be suitable for the paddlers skill level, novice paddlers must paddle the same level kayak that they used for their grade 2 course.
It is each competitor’s responsibility to ensure that they are carrying all the compulsory gear, wearing their PFD, spray deck and helmet and that their boat is Grade 2+ river worthy. Any competitor seen on the river not wearing their PFD, spray deck or helmet will be immediately withdrawn from the race. Checks of compulsory gear and airbags will be made before the race. Further checks will be made at the end of the race. Any competitor found to not be carrying all of the compulsory gear (including airbags) will be disqualified. Remember to support our sponsors when sourcing your gear, sustenance, and training.
No Gear, No Race, No Refund!
Race Categories
Open - All individuals are eligible to enter the open category regardless of their age and experience. The Open age group waves start first, and generally include the fastest paddlers. The Fastest Man and Fastest Woman prize is based on the racers elapsed time and may be won by any paddler in any age category, so may not necessarily start in the open wave.
Veteran - Open to all individuals aged 40 or over on race day.
Classic - Open to all individuals aged 50 or over on race day.
Junior - Open to individuals under the age of 20 on race day.
Novice - Open to individuals of any age who are new to Down River Racing for their first 2 summer racing seasons.
Doubles - Are one category, combining all age groups and gender.
Prizegiving
Historically, this has been held at the Sheffield community hall, this will be confirmed at a later date. There is a possibility that the prizegiving will be held in Christchurch this year.
Results
Results will be posted on sportsplits (https://www.sportsplits.com/). A link will be posted on race week.
Alternative Course
The reserve date for the main event is Sunday 15 December 2024. The Reserve date will only be used if the organizing committee is confident that river and/or weather conditions will improve suitably to allow the race to be held through the Waimakariri Gorge. Please allow for this possibility in your travel plans.
There are several options for an alternative course if needed. The course will be chosen by the Safety Director and Race Director. Examples of some of the possible options are described below:
- Start at ‘The Willows’ at the end of Thompsons Road and finish up the Cam River to the Kaiapoi Township.
- A flatwater course on the Avon River.