For a group of Whangarei rowers a trip to the south of France means bypassing the bottles of merlot for blistering heat and hands as they take to water in the 210km Canal Du Midi race.
Crew member Karen Clearwater said the plan to compete in the legendary five-day regatta had been five years in the making for Whangarei Rowing Club members and their supporters.
"We gather in Paris next week and head down and it's hard to believe it's come around after thinking about it for so long," she said.
The nature of the volunteer-run race, now in its 35th year, had meant demanding training, on and off the water, Ms Clearwater said.
The crew of 10 would row a double-sculled quad, with spare rowers riding bicycles along the side of the canal during their "off" legs of the race. Cycling training had been fitted in around 30km training rows.