Paddlers Stand Up for King of the Harbour
Ocean Ski and Stand Up Paddle Race
Viaduct Harbour Friday 30th March & Saturday 31 March
Takapuna Beach Sunday 1 April
Kicking off with dramatic ski sprint races on the Friday night, followed by a gruelling 25km downwind challenge, then knockout SUP slalom racing on Sunday, this hardcore endurance event will see New Zealand’s elite paddlers battling it out on the Waitemata next weekend for the coveted King of the Harbour crown.
The distance race will be contested on one of four courses decided by wind direction, to give paddlers maximum opportunity to surf the small waves formed by the wind and currents flowing around the various channels and islands of the Hauraki Gulf.
This is the first year the new sport of Stand Up Paddle boarding has been included in the King of the Harbour race, and with 35 Stand Up Paddle (SUP) entries expected, including appearances by top international NZ athletes Annabel Anderson, Jeremy Stephenson and Armie Armstrong, the competition will be fierce.
The event will also decide this year’s National SUP Champion.
Spectators can join paddlers on the Quickcat for front row viewing of the race, which will either start or finish in Auckland’s viaduct harbour according to the wind direction on the day. If its a Southerly or Westerly wind, the start will be from the city.
Paddlers of all abilities can join in the Slalom racing on Sunday at Takapuna Beach.
Enquiries to victoria ph 021 644 129
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