Trans Taupo
Saturday 20th March 2010
Description: The Trans Taupo is a 44km paddle across the pure crystal mountain fed waters of New Zealand’s (and Australasia's) largest freshwater lake. Open to all single, double, tri/quad and 6 person - Surf Ski's, Sea kayaks, Ocean Rowers and Waka Ama; with both a full distance and a team relay challenge; this event is the pinnacle of open fresh water paddling in NZ.
The event now also includes a 6km fun race across the main Taupo bay.
Start Time & Date: 8:00am Saturday 20th March 2010.
Location: From Tokaanu to Taupo (via Mission Bay Reserve, Hatepe Point and Wharewaka Point) or reverse depending upon the wind direction.
Epic Events has taken over this event from former Organisers dare2sweatevents.
ENTER
There are 2 ways to enter the Trans Taupo - 1. On line or 2. Print and post. Scroll down this page to see entry fees.
Click here to enter on line
Click here to view PDF entry form for postal entry
Any probems entering, please email Jodie admin "at" epicevents.co.nz
EVENT DOCUMENTS TO VIEW AS PDFS
Race Rules and Conditions of Entry
Photos
Compulsory Equipment and Didymo Treatment Form
2010 Trans Taupo General Information Summary
Time & Date – 8:00am; Saturday 20th March 2010
Challenge - There are two options by which to participate in the event:
- Full distance
- Team Relay (Leg 1 is 25km. Leg 2 is 19km).
Class of Craft – The event is open to the following craft:
- Single Surf Ski’s – both NZ Life Saving Association regulation and Long Distance ocean racing Ski’s [Wave ski’s or sit-on-top pleasure craft are not permitted].
- Single plastic, single composite fibre, and double Sea Kayaks [Closed cockpit craft with minimum of two bulkheads (air/water tight sealed holds or compartments), one front (ihu) and one rear (kei). No open deck leisure craft. Please note that for safety reasons K1 or K2 and multi-sport kayaks without bulkheads are NOT acceptable].
- Single (W1), double (W2), and 6 person (W6) Waka Ama [compliant with NZ outrigger long distance race rules].
- Single, Double and Triple or Quad Ocean Rowers – purpose built open water racing craft only. No dingy or recreational row boat vessels.
Category – The entrants can compete in the following categories:
Full distance:
- Male
- Female
- Mixed (even gender combination)
Team relay:
- Combination (any gender combination)
Age Groups – There are two age groups for individual paddlers (kaihoe) age or crafts average combined paddler’s (kaihoe) age on the date of the event:
- Under 50 years
- 50 years of age and over
Age Restriction – The event is open to anyone 18 years and over on the date of the event. Entrants under 18 years of age require parental consent.
Entrant Fees
|
|
Full course (per craft) |
Full course (per person) |
Relay (per craft for 1 leg) |
Relay (per person for 1 leg) |
|
Single |
$125 |
$125 |
$75 |
$75 |
|
Double |
$200 |
$100 |
$120 |
$60 |
|
Tri |
$225 |
$75 |
$135 |
$45 |
|
Quad |
$250 |
$62.5 |
$150 |
$37.5 |
|
6 |
$300 |
$50 |
$180 |
$30 |
A late entry fee of $20.00 per person will apply after Monday 15th March 2010 - no exceptions. [Note - no new entries will be accepted on the morning of race day].
Course Description – The full Trans Taupo Course is 44km and consists of four legs as set out below.
- Leg 1 is 18km from Tokaanu Bay to Mission Bay Reserve
- Leg 2 is 7km from Mission bay to Hatepe Point
- Leg 3 is 14km from Hatepe Point to Wharewaka Point
- Leg 4 is 5km from Wharewaka Point to the finish in front of the Taupo Yacht Club in Taupo
The course will be reversed for a favorable tailwind paddle/row if prevailing weather conditions on the day are forecast to come from the North/East
Course Conditions - Conditions that can be encountered when paddling Lake Taupo include (but are not limited to) anything from breathless flat-water, a gentle breeze and small chop on most good summer days, up to gusty winds/squalls of up to 20-40 knots and white caps rising up to 1meter plus tall on the odd bad day. The prevailing wind and whether in late summer is 0-15 knots from a South-West direction (equivalent to a tail wind), however on occasion can come from the North-East, East, South-East and West.
Competency in this type of open water is essential. You must be confident of your ability to paddle open water in all conditions in the craft of your choice.
Any decision to insure the safety of entrants in respect to the nature of conditions forecast will be made in conjunction with the local Coast Guard.
Expected Times - The fastest paddlers (kaihoe) are expected to take sub 4hrs to complete the journey from Tokaanu Bay to Taupo Yacht Club (i.e., predicted finishing time in favorable conditions is around 11:30am). The slowest paddlers (kaihoe) are expected to take twice this time – around 7hrs 30 min to 8hrs (i.e., predicted finishing time in favorable conditions is around 3:30pm).
ORGANISERS RECCOMMENDATIONS
- The Trans Taupo Paddle is a race of 4hr + duration for most paddlers. The course direction is set to so there is a predominantly light tailwind assisting paddler/rowers dependant on the prevailing conditions of the day.
- Paddlers (Kaihoe) are encouraged to practice paddling in a range of open water conditions, becoming familiar with head, tail and crosswinds, and particularly choppy water. Ideally if the opportunity arises, one should paddle specific sections of the course in training in the company of others.
- Learn to navigate using a compass or GPS, you may need it.
- Always take to the water prepared/equipped. Carry a PFD and wear bright coloured paddling top (vest); dress accordingly to the conditions; take liquid and solid sustenance on longer paddles; consider carrying a mobile phone and handheld flare in a dry bag.
- Do not paddle alone on unfamiliar water or beyond your comfort zone. Remember, to inform others of your whereabouts and paddling intentions so they can raise the alarm if necessary.
- If you are unsure of the conditions, do the wise thing and stay close to shore. Consider using a leash if you have any doubt about your ability to safely paddle in windy/rough conditions.
- Check the current Marine Forecast and Weather for the lake on the MetService webpage before venturing out training at http://www.metservice.co.nz/default/index.php?alias=lake_taupolake
- Be mindful of other activities scheduled to take place on the water before setting off.
- Remind your support crew to bring an old pair of shoes that they do not mind getting wet assisting you. An umbrella could also be useful to have available on the off chance of rain.
- Remember to always practice good water hygiene.
- Slip, slop, slap. Sunglasses will be essential to combat glare when paddling into the rising sun on a good morning. Wearing a hat and applying ample sunscreen is recommended as protection from midday suns rays. Remember to always be mindful of harsh reflecting rays of the water so apply sunscreen under ears, chin, arms, legs etc.
- Don’t forget to rinse your hands after disinfecting your gear or applying sunscreen, so you can grip your paddle.
- Above all have fun and enjoy yourselves.
6km fun race
New for 2010 is a 6km fun race from Wharewaka Point to the Yacht Club. More info will be loaded to this site once confirmed.