Come one, come all to the Hutt Gorge Race! Yes its that time of the year again when we race for the coveted Hutt Gorge Shield, and of course a fun weekend out on the water with pals.

When is it you ask? well, the event will be held on Saturday 12th October and Sunday 13th October so save the date and register here!

This year, on Saturday there will be the Kaitoke Gorge Team Race and Kaitoke Gorge Community Float, as well as the Grade 2 Individual Race, while the packrafters do some sessions on Te Awa Kairangi.

The fun will continue Sunday with the Kaitoke Gorge Individual Kayak Race, Kaitoke Gorge Individual Packraft/Inflatable Race, and a Kaitoke Gorge community float for those who don’t want to race.

Camping is available at the Kaitoke regional park at put in (look for Camping Area 5). There will be paddlers there both Friday and Saturday nights. On Saturday there will be a BBQ and prizegiving, and then from 7.30pm a live band and party. Bring $8 for camping fees, firewood, and a small koha for operational costs.

Race Details

  • Race starts from the “put-in” with the finish flag after “toilet bowl” rapid, that makes it approximately 20 minutes of racing. If you don’t know where the put-in is, please ask!
  • Teams consist of 3 members who must paddle and stick together as a team or face the wrath of the gods! (disqualification).
  • You need to self-rescue and provide safety for your team members (although there will be race safety at the more sticky spots).
  • Teams need to organise their own shuttles.
  • The teams finish time is when the last member touches the finish flag.
  • After all have finished the race the group all paddle to take out, licking their wounds and/or bragging about their lines taken.
  • There is a maximum boat length of 9 foot (that’s 2,743mm for you modern metric peeps).
  • The committee’s decision is final, you better believe it!
  • To fill those empty tum tums a BBQ will be held afterwards at Kaitoke Regional Park with the Shield presentation to the glorious and forever immortalised winning team.

Entry Fees

Kaitoke Gorge Team Race (Saturday) – $15 per person

Grade 2 Individual Race (Saturday) – $15 per person

Kaitoke Gorge community float (Saturday or Sunday) – Gold coin koha to Hutt Gorge Whio Fund

Kaitoke Gorge Individual Race, kayak/packraft/inflatable (Sunday) – $10 per person, or free if you entered the team race

Registration

Please complete this form to register.

Schedule

Friday

3pm – Kaitoke Gorge familiarisation paddle. Dial in your race lines.

Camping at Kaitoke Regional Park, Area 5, Gates close at 9pm

Saturday

Packrafters – Te Awa Kairangi G2 skills share / safety day start time TBC

9am – Registration opens

10am – Grade 2 Individual Race Starts

12pm – Kaitoke Gorge Team Race starts

12.30pm – Kaitoke Gorge community float (anyone who doesn’t feel like racing)

5.00pmish – BBQ and Awards Presentation, Kaitoke Regional Park, Area 5

7.30pm – Live band and party, music by Powercut, Kaitoke Regional Park, Area 5

Sunday

No registration required

9.30am – Kaitoke Gorge Individual Kayak Race starts

9.30am – Kaitoke Gorge community float (anyone who doesn’t feel like racing)

12.00pm – Awards for individual races.