Aoraki Dragon Boat
Association (Inc)
Christchurch, NZ
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Chch Regattas:
  o Chinese New Year-Early Bird
  o Christchurch Regatta
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Aoraki Ice-breaker, 2008

In 2008, Aoraki launched a new concept to the Christchurch scene - an early season regatta. Well, alright, it was probably done before, but we're talking about the modern era here...

So at the very respectable hour of 12 noon on Sunday 7th December, the mini-Regatta got under way at Kerr's Reach. Six brand new boats in full livery; Dragon heads, tails, Drummer seats and Drums!

This was a chance for new paddlers to get an early look at the new boats, a race start, how long a race is, how to execute a high speed river turn etc. The format was:

  1. Team briefing near the pontoons at 11:30, with first race at noon. A nominal fee cover the cost - $5 per paddler, or $100 per team, payable at race briefing.
  2. Each team had three ‘heats’ over 300m distance (start just north of the stream by Christ College rooms).  Heat times are added to determine the handicap start for 2km race.  All timing by simple stopwatch.
  3. Races start at 10 minute intervals, with three (or four) boats in a race.
  4. Teams can rest up, while the race officials calculate the heat times, work out who's in which heat, and the (handicap) starting times for the Canterbury 2000 (see below).
  5. Each team has one 2,000m race, with handicap start. Four or five boats per 2km race, starting from Kerr's Reach, with a turning buoy at 1,000m downstream (by the Breezes Rd intersection), and finishing at the pontoons.
  6. Ideally the handicap means all teams cross the line together.
  7. No medals, but spot prizes, eg for the fastest race time over all 2km races. Presentation at the pontoons at about 5 pm.

Results

Sprints (300m):

# Team: [click to sort]

Average:
11 Abreast Of Life 1:42.5
10 Airways Paddlateers 1:40.2
13 Avonside Girls 1:48.3
7 Beca Crewsaders 1:35.2
4 CCC (Cruisers) 1:35.0
1 CPC Canterbury Dragons 1:27.4
8 Evacut Express 1:36.1
9 Marian 1:37.5
3 Ridge Riders 1:34.3
12 Sampan Warriors 1:44.0
5 Screws Loose 1:35.1
2 Shirley Boys 1:29.3
6 Tu Meke 1:35.2

Canterbury 2000:

# Team: [click to sort]

Elapsed (Min:sec):
5 Airways Paddlateers 11:30
6 Beca Crewsaders 11:47
3 CPC Canterbury Dragons 11:05
8 Evacut Express 12:02
9 Marian 13:12
4 Ridge Riders 11:07
7 Screws Loose 11:54
1 Shirley Boys 10:30!
2 Tu Meke 10:42

The next race on the (local) calendar was the 2009 Early Bird. But for some, Dunedin provided a very different race day...
Dates for this season:
Saturday 6-Dec-08 Kaiapoi River Festival
Sunday
7-Dec-08		 Aoraki Ice Breaker at Kerr's Reach.
early Feb-09. Chinese New Year Regatta, in Dunedin
21 (and/or 22)-Feb-09.

"Early Bird" Regatta at Kerr's Reach.
14, 15-March-09 South Island Champs at Lake Hood
21, 22 March 09 Wellington Dragon Boat Festival
28, 29 March 09 (booked) Nationals at the Blue Lakes, Rotorua)

How much does it cost?

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).
But fees for other regatta (like this Ice Breaker) will be on a cash basis. Aoraki charges a nominal fee from teams to cover the cost" - in this case, $5 per paddler or $100 per team.

 

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.
The Rowing association tells us there should not be too many crews on the reach that weekend, and the tides are ideal on the Avon (high at 2:15).
Canterbury Rowing will be running a sprint regatta on Saturday 6-Dec. Their rowing crews will travel to Blenheim the following week (Marlborough Regatta is 13, 14-Dec )
They will have some training on the river on Sunday 7-Dec so we will need to keep a close eye out for them.

As listed at EventFinder...
Affiliated to NZDBA home - contact us - faq updated: 5-aug-09
(c) Noel Anderton