River festival promises something for everyone

Photo / Alan Gibson

Local bragging rights are on the line this weekend on the Whanganui River for the Whanganui Festival of the River.

The OC6 Waka Ama and K4, the U19 women and men, Open women and men will be contested over 5000m with a mass start for each category.

Tomorrow is the event many of the local kayakers look forward to in the second year of the 4 Bridges River Race.

About 130 athletes competed in 80 craft last year and the event organiser, Aaron Cox, has high hopes for the event to continue to grow.

"It was a huge success [last year] and the goal for the event is to get as many people involved on as many craft at the same time as possible," said Cox.

"We were really encouraged by the support of the local community and local businesses getting behind this and it has the potential to be something big."

Cox, 35, is a water sports enthusiast who represented New Zealand as a junior in wild water kayaking in 1992 and as a senior from 1994-2002.

He believes a number of reasons make competing on the Whanganui River special.

"Being so close to the centre of town, the location makes it easy for people to come down and watch from the banks and be a part of it."

In the 4 Bridges event, kayakers can compete as an individual or in the teams division.

The athletes competing over the next two days range from the elite to the social and the ages vary from the youngest at 14 to 50 in the masters.

The river is tidal and user friendly to paddle down and back even for novices.

WHERE AND WHEN

Saturday

* Outrigger canoes: The Great Race - Rotorua

* Kayaking: Waka ama / K4 5000m Wanganui OC6 Waka Ama and K4 U19 women and men, open women and men. Mass start for each category over 5000m.

Sunday

* Road bike: Bike the Lake Rotorua

* Kayaking: Four Bridges River Race Wanganui. All paddle or oared craft, short course 4km, long course 13km.