24km v1/OC1/OC2 Relay - Race specific rules

Crews
  • Men’s teams - V1/OC1 = 2 Male paddlers only; OC2 = 4 Male paddlers only. 
  • Women’s teams - V1/OC1 = 2 Female paddlers only; OC2 = 4 Female paddlers only.
  • Mixed teams – V1/OC1 = 1 Male & 1 Female paddler; OC2 = 2 Male & 2 Female paddlers only.
​ 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 Relay rules apply):
  • A coach/adult in charge of a Junior 19 team 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 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: 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 teams in that division.
Medals will be presented to all 1st, 2nd & 3rd places provided there is a minimum of 3 teams in that division.

Canoes
  • Each team must only use one canoe, eg the same canoe for both (for 4) paddlers. 
  • All Canoes (including rigging, iako, ama, hull shape) must meet current Waka Ama Aotearoa NZ (WAANZ) Event requirements. 
  • Canoe numbers or timing tags will be issued per team at registration.
  • If canoe numbers are used, they must be prominent and readable on the bow of canoes.​​

Timing/Results
  • Timing tags must be worn on the ankle of every paddler, for the entirety of the race, and for every lap to record an official time.
  • For the OC2 teams, it is only necessary for 1 paddler in each pair to wear the timing tag for every lap.
  • WAANZ reserve the right to not adjust finish times and placings, if teams do not follow the instructions on the wearing of the timing tag.
​
Required Items to be on board your canoe.
  • 1x MSA Approved Life Jackets per paddler (that fits)
  • 1x Spare Paddle
  • 1x Bailer (if cockpit style)
  • 1 x Leash (if sit on top style)
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
  • Canoes will line up on the waters edge in between designated buoys, dependent on weather conditions.
  • Paddler #1 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 paddler #1 not standing beside their Canoe when the race commences, may be disqualified, or subject to a time penalty at the Race Director’s discretion.

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

The Course
  • The course will be determined on the day, dependent on the weather.
  • The course is a triangular 2-4km lap Circuit off Takapuna Beach, and will be set dependent on the weather conditions. 
  • Each crew will be required to complete 6 Laps of a 4km, 3 each (or 8 laps of a 3km, 4 each).
  • All teams will start at the same time and will line up between the designated start line Buoys, or flags.
  • The finish line will be a dry finish on Takapuna Beach, where the last lap paddler must cross the line in the timing zone. 
  • Any team not following the designated course may be disqualified or subject to a time penalty at the Race Director’s discretion.
  • Race organisers may change the course length and direction on the day, subject to prevailing weather conditions.

Change Over/Transition
  • Changeovers will only be done in the designated zones near the waters edge.
  • Paddlers must swap into the same canoe after each lap, eg  only 1 canoe per team is permitted. 
  • The incoming paddler (Paddler 1) hands the canoe to the Paddler 2 in the designated 'In Zone" in the shallows. Paddler 2 moves the canoe further down the beach to the outgoing zone, and waits ot be tagged.
  • Paddler 1 must then run through the designated timing zone, which will electronically record the team’s number and lap time. 
  • Paddler 1 then runs to the waters edge, and tags the outgoing paddler (Paddler 2).
  • For OC2 relay teams, it is only necessary for one of the incoming paddlers to run through the timing area, and then tag only one of the outgoing paddlers.
  • Waiting paddlers must remain behind the transition fencing at all times. And must only enter the "In Zone", when their team mate is 10m from the beach.
  • Waiting paddlers, both out/in the water, must not obstruct access for any other teams, at any time.​