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Aoraki Ice-breaker
This is a chance for new paddlers to get an early look at a race start, how long a race is etc. Generally the format will be as follows (but may vary year-by-year):
- First Race start time may depend on the best tides.
- Each team has three ‘heats’ over 300 m or 500 m distance. For example if it is at Kerr's Reach, start is just north of the stream by Christ College rooms. Heat times determine the handicap start for 2km race. All timing by simple stopwatch.
- Races start at 10 minute intervals, with three boats in a race.
- Teams then have a rest, while the race officials calculate the heat times, work out who's in which heat, and the (handicap) starting times for the Canterbury 2000 (typically, multiply the 300m times by 7.4, based on actual results from the 2008 Ice Breaker).
- There may be some novelty races during the break.
- Each team has one 2,000m race, with handicap start.
- Up to six boats per 2 km race. If the regatta is at Kerr's Reach, race starts from the pontoons, with a turning buoy at 1,000 m downstream (by the Breezes Rd/Avonside Drive intersection), and finishing back at the pontoons.
- Ideally the handicap means all teams cross the line together - no collisions in the dash for the line please!
- No medals, but their may be prizes, eg for the line winner of each 2 km race, and/or a prize for the fastest race time over all 2km races.
- Presentation immediately after the final race (eg in the Riverside Pool Club or on the pontoons).
At this stage there will be no formal medals or presentation paddles, but we may come up with some special prizes on the day.
In brief, the Ice Breaker will double as an ‘Open Day’, with a lunchtime paddle for those new to the sport; spectators, family etc.
- All entries to be in by the end of November.
- A nominal fee will be charged to cover the cost - typically $5 per paddler, or $100 per team, payable at race briefing.
- Teams provide and erect their own tents etc.
- Coast Guard or similar will run a safety/chase boat.
- St Johns (or possibly nurses) for First Aid.
- Aoraki will not provide extra portaloos, or security or rubbish bins – teams clean up themselves (but we may provide CCC bags).
- Coffee cart on site, plus sausage sizzle.
The Canterbury 2000
Long time dragon boaters John Fox and Russell Stocks were instrumental in setting up the "Canterbury 2000" as part of the Ice Breaker. This is a 2,000m race - at Kerr's Reach it starts and ends at the pontoons, with one turn, 1,000 m downstream.
If we run it at Pegasus Lake, it will start at the northern end of the lake, race the 500m to the Yacht Club, make a 'left hand circuit' (before the island/the eastern bridge) then back to a turning buoy near the start line then spint to the finish by the Yacht Club. Or add another turn by the yacht club and finish at the northern end.
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| How much does it cost? |
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Aoraki's charges entry fees to Regattas on a cost recovery basis
(we are a not-for-profit organisation). Season fees cover the Early Bird and our big Regatta for the year (called either the "Christchurch Regatta" if it is run in the metropolitan area, or the "South Island Regatta" if it is run at Lake Hood etc).
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| But fees for other regatta (like this Ice Breaker) will be on a cash basis. As we say elsewhere "Aoraki will charge a nominal fee from teams to cover the cost". This will probably be of the order of $5 to $10 per paddler. |
| Background: |
| Wellington club "Tangaroa" ran a similar event for many years and it was a great hit. The concept is to run a relatively low cost event without the hi-tech timekeeping, PA etc - just a hooter, binoculars and a stop watch. Aoraki will charge a nominal fee from teams to cover the cost of St Johns, a Safety boat and other essential costs. |
| In 2008, Aoraki (re-)launched the concept of an early season regatta, on a Sunday in early December. The first IB, and informal mini-Regatta was at Kerr's
Reach in Dallington, Christchurch on Dec-08. Click here for a report on the 2008 event. |
As listed at EventFinder... |
