This weekend: Be a waterbaby (+weather)

It's set to be a stunning weekend so we're heading waterside. Photo / Thinkstock

It's set to be a cracking weekend - we can't wait to be on the water. Sunblock is packed and we're off to find some wetness to cool us down. There's something for everyone.

Acceleration on Water Festival of Speed

Not for those wanting a peaceful water day, this is world class powerboat racing: Grand Prix hydroplanes, Formula One tunnels, V8 racing runabouts, wake boarding, thunder cats, water ski and, um, bath tub racing. Or bring your lawnmower (let's face it, when did it last get an outing) for the on-shore lawnmower race. Kids can do the whole giant water slide, model boats and fly board X thing. You can even camp there.

Details: Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 3pm. Lake Karapiro, Maungatautari Rd, Cambridge. Tickets: Adults $15, under 13s free. More info here.

Family Fun Day

At the other end of the scale, pop down on Sunday to Takapuna for the big beach dig. We're readying our teaspoons and water sprays for the Berkleys sand castle competition. Live music and heaps of entertainment, market stalls, beach games, rides, big slides and lots and lots of food. Plus there'll be muscle cars on Hurstmere Green. Kawakawa Bay also has a family fun day of bouncy castles, games and an ice cold iceblock.

Details: Sunday, 10am to 7pm. For for info visit Takapuna Beach Summer Days Facebook page.

Guided kayak tour

You may have missed the news that it's world Wetlands Day on Sunday - what we do know is that these peaceful tidal flats and water edges are helping us, and our planets and streams breathe and all that. Auckland Council's local parks group are celebrating the day with a subsidised guide kayak tour of Slippery Creek, Drury - you can get up close to the birds and plants, and begin to understand what a fragile bit of the planet they are.

Details: Sunday, 10.30am to 1pm, 1.30 to 4pm. Slippery Creek, 137 Great South Rd, Drury. Cost $25. Bookings ph (09) 301 0101.

This long weekend's weather:

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- www.nzherald.co.nz