Aoraki Dragon Boat
Association (Inc)
Christchurch, NZ

Canterbury venues

Lake Hood

Aoraki is researching other water courses that would be suitable for hosting the National Championships or South Island Invitationals etc.

An excellent venue is the man-made lake to the east of Ashburton, developed by the Ashburton Aquatic Park Charitable Trust. The turnoff to the lake (in Tinwald) is about 50 minutes drive from Christchurch.

Main lake

The main section of Lake Hood is about 2.3km long, and includes a spectacular 2,000m rowing course, eight lanes wide. Aoraki first used Lake Hood for the South Island Champs in March 2009.

This involves a notified closure of the northern end of the Lake. Bouys are set up (about 15m intervals), marking five or six lanes for the 500m race length.

A 'start rope' is hung from portable scaffolding at each side of the lake near the beach. Race starter stands on the western bank, with a PA (including a speaker on the near bank plus one on the eastern bank or an anchored boat). The starter uses an air horn which triggers the photo finish timer via a radio mic. The starters calls can also be played over the PA at the finish line/ tent area/ spectators' area.

Temporary Grandstands (five rows high) are set up along the course and at the finish line.

Water Ski area

It also has a separate Water Ski Course, measuring about 750m long and 100m wide. It is enclosed by an embankment about 15m wide, which makes it a spectacular and 'intimate' venue. There is an outlet at the northern end to the main lake, so boats can easily come and go, but wake wash is contained. Click here for aerial photos.

This section is a consistent 2.5m deep although the lake outlet end is more like 4.5 to 5m. The banks are sloped to minimise reflected waves from powerboats, skis and (presumably) Dragon Boats. Lake director David West says this works well in practice.

There is a small island at each end of the course, but there is still ample room for a 500m race course. The width would make it ideal for setting up five or even six lanes. Permanent loading docks accomodate up to nine boats at a time (without 'double parking').

A little closer to Christchurch is Lake Crighton. It was established by the Wright family in about 1996 on farm land in Fraser Rd, approximately 6km SE of Dunsandel and 30 minutes south of Christchurch. It is a good facility for spectators but at 1.5m at the deepest, it is shallower than Lake Hood, and only 75m wide. It is also slightly shorter, at 550m. Interestingly, Lake Hood's Water ski lane was modelled on Lake Crighton.

Gallery:
Lake Hood has the advantage of being able to accommodate different water craft at the same time.
Click here for aerial photos, including Lake Crighton and Roto Kohatu