Event Kaupapa
Wellington Harbour — Te Whanganui-a-Tara — with its beautiful waters, exciting winds, and unbeatable harbour views! Our city is perfectly placed to showcase waka ama changeover racing at its best, while challenging our kaihoe, and their teamwork, timing, and energy.
This proof-of-concept event will test the format with up to six mixed crews (max five tāne per crew), any age.
All paddlers must be experienced paddlers - this is not a race for a first time paddler! We would expect every paddler to have either completed a changeover race before, or have ocean racing experience. It’s all about teamwork, timing, and that shared wairua hoe that makes these races so thrilling.
We’ll provide the waka — unless your crew prefers to bring your own — and we’ve got the changeover boats sorted too. All you need to bring is your crew, your energy, and your competitive spirit. We will be working with Evans Bay Yacht and Motorboat Club, who will provide each waka with changeover boats.
Given it is Te Whanganui-a-Tara, backup days will be Sunday 25 January, and Saturday 31 January. Our race times are indicative, and subject to change based on the weather forecast – we suggest that you leave the whole day free!
Let’s put Te Whanganui-a-Tara on the map for changeover racing. Kia kaha tātou, e te whānau hoe! Let’s make waves and show what our harbour can do.
