New Zealands Premier Waka Ama Race

Takapuna Beach Cup is hosted at one of Auckland's best beaches. Racing takes place on the Hauraki Gulf which offers paddlers clean waters, stunning views and a chance to paddle around one of New Zealand's iconic extinct volcanoes, Rangitoto.

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The Takapuna Beach Cup is New Zealand’s Premier 3-Day Outrigger Paddle Festival, attracting teams from throughout New Zealand and a feature event in the International Outrigger Circuit. The Event is run from Takapuna Beach and takes place during our best summer month, February. This will be the 16th year the event will be run and will be the biggest event to date. The event itself is split over 3 days:

​Friday 19th February 2021

• 5km OC6 warm up race

Friday is an open invitation to all paddlers to join us for the official welcoming ceremony, which includes the prize giving, a cultural performance, race briefings, and pre-registrations. 
Competitors also compete in a 5km Sprint Race. 

Saturday 20th February 2021

• 42km OC6 Marathon Changes Race
• 21km OC6 Iron Race

Saturday is an epic 42km Marathon Race with sea-changes, set on a course out and around Rangitoto, Motutapu and Rakino Islands.  There is also a gruelling 21km Half-Iron Race with no sea changes in which a 6-person crew paddles the full distance out and around Motutapu Island.

​Sunday 21st February 2021

• 24km OC1/OC2 Relay Race
• 10 km Junior & Novice Race OC6 Short course (dependent on entries)

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Sunday is the traditional 24 Outrigger Relay in which competitors compete in one or two man canoes and swap throughout the race.   There is also a 10km Junior and Novice Race in the Sunday format. All the courses are set close to the beach to allow spectators to follow the progress of the teams. A final prize giving and farewell ceremony is held on the beach/ embankment after racing.
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