16km / 21km Iron Race

16km / 21km Iron - Race Specific rules

Races

16km - Mixed ONLY - Friday
21km - Men and Women ONLY - Saturday
- Due to Safety coverage, there will be a max of 35 teams each for the Women's and Men's 21km events

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 if required

Additional J19 Division Rules (plus all general 16km/21km rules apply):

A coach/adult in charge of a Junior 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. If paddlers are under the age of 18 – a parent or guardian must 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: 14 years old
Maximum age paddler can turn in the year of competition: 19 years old

Click here to view age division information

Awards

First place will be eligible for prize money, provided there is a minimum of 5 crews in that division.
Medals will be presented to all 1st, 2nd & 3rd places provided there is a minimum of 3 crews in that division.

Canoes

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.
Canoe numbers will be issued at registration and must be prominent and readable on the bow of canoes.
Spray Skirts on the canoe are mandatory.
WAANZ standard tow ropes (12mm rope, 20/25metres in length) must be fixed to the front iako.
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

Iron 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.

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

The Course - 16km and 21km

The course will be determined on the day, dependent on the weather.
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.