Rotorua residents relishing Crankworx atmosphere

The first three days of Crankworx have drawn in hundreds of Rotorua people who have embraced free entry, business opportunities and volunteering.

The event hub will be at Skyline Rotorua for the rest of the week, after Monday's opening ceremony at Te Puia and dual slalom racing at Whakarewarewa on Tuesday.

Organiser Tak Mutu said Wednesday was the "biggest first day at the Skyline Rotorua site ever".

Tak Mutu, Crankworx organiser. Photo / File

"We had 600 locals through. Not to mention all the other visitors who paid to enter. All the exhibitors and sponsors were really excited. The coffee guy down here was flat out making hundreds of drinks for people."

He said, so far, visitor numbers were 15 per cent above the same period last year.

Rotorua residents have had free entry to the events so far, but ticketing starts today.

Jessica and Tom Roberts, from Glenholme, took their children Poppy, 5, and Griff, 3 yesterday, to make the most of it.

"We have been working this week so today is the only locals day we have been able to come to so far, but it's awesome," Jessica said.

"We lived overseas until recently, and my brothers have always raved about Crankworx every year."

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Poppy and Griff took their bikes to the Kidsworx track area and had gone to watch the pros race too.

"They ride all the time, and kids learn by watching so it's cool for them to see things they've never seen before."

For Justine Crampton, Crankworx has been walking distance from her home in Kawaha Point.

She is a keen mountain biker who enjoyed Wednesday's and yesterday's free entry.

She also planned to buy tickets for the end of the week's events.

"It's great to watch the pros here, how do they make it look so easy?"

New Zeland rider Billy Meaclem in the speed and style competition. Photo / Stephen Parker

Crampton has also been browsing the deals in the exhibitor tents.

"The shopping is so much better than buying on the internet."

Western Heights High School teacher Ben Robson brought his Year 13 geography class along, as part of Crankworx's Educate programme.

"Event management is one of their assessments, so they have been learning about resource consents and environmental, social and economic impacts."

He said the class had been learning from the Crankworx team for the last month.

"There are quite a few schools here doing the programme. It is a unique, in-depth, opportunity for the students. It increases Crankworx's community involvement and for us, it adds an authentic element to what would otherwise just be learning in class."

This is the fifth year in a row Rotorua volunteer Charley Brown has covered media security.

"I just enjoy it. You meet all sorts of people, all ages and races. It's very good, and there are huge benefits from the event for Rotorua."

Mitch Chubey (top) and Scott Thornhill in the speed and style qualifying round. Photo / Stephen Parker

The 67-year-old Māori warden said security was "not a bad job".

"You have got to be strict keeping people to the protocol, but people rarely break it."

Senior chef Kane Peni is part of the Skyline Rotorua hospitality team, covering the Mountain Bike Village Kitchen and three bars.

"It's been good for something different. We are cooking the same food just in a different setting."

The kitchen alone had three chefs preparing orders.

"We are expecting things will pick up even more in the next few days."

Crankworx events to come at Skyline Rotorua
Today - Downhill 9.30am to 5.30pm, pump track challenge 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Tomorrow - Slopestyle 3.30pm to 6pm
Sunday - Enduro 8am to 5pm