10km Junior - race specific rules

Crews
  • Men’s crew – 6 Male paddlers only
  • Women’s crew - 6 Female paddlers only
  • Mixed crews – 6 Paddlers with a maximum of 3 Male paddlers.
Crews may have paddlers from mixed clubs, provided all New Zealand paddlers are registered members of Waka Ama Aotearoa NZ, and all International paddlers have approved international insurance.
No replacement of original paddlers is permitted once racing has commenced.

​Ocean Racing Competency and Experience
In addition, all paddlers must be able to do the following
  • Be able to swim unaided for minimum of 50 metres
  • Be fit enough and competent enough to compete and finish the race
  • Be competent in righting and bailing an overturned or swamped craft
  • Have sufficient nutritional liquids for the duration of the race
  • Wear a lifejacket at all times during the race.

Additional J16 and J19 Division Rules (plus all general 10km rules apply):
  • A coach/adult in charge of a Junior 16/19 crew must be at least 21 years of age. The contact details of this person will need to be supplied at race HQ
  • All paddlers must sign a waiver. And for all paddlers under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must also sign the waiver.
  • Should the weather conditions be considered adverse for Junior division teams to participate, the Race Organising Committee may make the call to cancel the division at any time.   
  • Minimum age paddler can turn in the year of competition:     J16 event - 11 years       J19 event - 14 years old
  • Maximum age paddler can turn in the year of competition:     J16 event - 16 years      J19 event - 19 years old

​Click here to view age division information
Awards
Medals will be presented to all 1st, 2nd & 3rd places provided there is a minimum of 3 crews in that division.

Canoes
  1. All Canoes (including rigging, iako, ama, hull shape) must meet current Waka Ama Aotearoa NZ (WAANZ) Event  requirements, and pass a safety check before racing.
  2. Canoe numbers will be issued at registration and must be prominent and readable on the bow of canoes.
  3. Spray Skirts on the canoe is mandatory.
  4. WAANZ standard tow ropes (12mm rope 20/25 metres in length) must be fixed to front iako.
  5. Each team must be proficient in the procedure of rigging and towing their canoe.

Required Items to be on board your canoe.
  • 1x Canoe number displayed on the bow
  • 1x Spray Skirt
  • 1x MSA Approved Flare
  • 6x MSA Approved Life Jackets 
  • 2x Spare Paddles
  • 2x Spare lashings
  • 1x Towrope
  • 2x Bailers

Paddles must be single bladed and may otherwise be of any shape and material.
The Takapuna Beach Cup Race Committee have the final decision on approving or disapproving any equipment or canoe.
Start Procedure
  • J16 and J19 race canoes will line up on the waters edge or between designated buoys, dependent on weather conditions.
  • Steerers will stand beside their Canoe until the Race start (Flag & Horn if it's a beach start), otherwise it will be a normal deep water start.​​
  • 5 minute warning of start will be announced and a Red Flag will indicate approximately 1 minute before start. Green Flag indicates racing can commence.The flag times are a maximum and may be reduced at the Race Director’s discretion.
  • Start will be upon raising of the Green Flag and blast of horn.
  • Any crew over the line or steerer not standing beside their Canoe when the race commences may be disqualified or subject to time penalty at the Race Director’s discretion.

*The start procedure may be modified on the day by the Race Director

The Course
  • The course is set off Takapuna Beach, and heads along the coastline, in an out/back format. The course will be set dependant on the conditions prevailing on the day.
  • There will be an alternate course if the Coast Guard rules unsafe conditions. Final Course will be determined on the Saturday and will be outlined at the race briefing that evening and again on Sunday.
  • The finish line will be either a dry finish on Takapuna Beach of which 1 Crew Member must cross the finish line, or parallel to the beach - this will be determined at briefing. 
  • Any crew not following the designated course may be disqualified or subject to a time penalty at the Race Director’s discretion.