Your challenge is to: exercise good common sense, be safe, play fair, race hard and have fun!

Safety guidelines
All participants

  • All participants are responsible for their own physical condition and should undertake the appropriate training in preparation for the event they have entered.
  • Participants enter at their own risk and are urged to have a medical check prior to entry.
  • Warning is given to all entrants that these events are challenging. Possible risks include (but are not limited to)—collision with a safety boat, paddle craft, mtb, vehicle, competitor, official, media, member of the public or object; hypothermia, drowning, heat exhaustion and dehydration.
  • It is important to note that, while every effort will be made to ensure a safe and fun event, the organiser and event officials are unable to guarantee competitors safety over the entire course.
  • All registered partiipants must be present at their relevant compulsory briefing ahead of their race start on race day.
  • Compulsory event equipment must be worn/used when and where applicable.
  • It is the participants personal responsibility to choose suitable equipment (maintained to a safe standard) & footwear. Please dress according to the activity and conditions, and carry necessary fluid and sustenance to see you comfortably through the event.
  • Please give assistance to fellow competitors in need of help
  • In the event of witnessing an injury/accident during the event, please report this to one of the safety crew on the water or on land as soon as possible.
  • If you decide to pull out for any reason, please alert a clearly marked event official and return your timing chip to the event timekeeping staff at the finish to indicate your withdrawal.
  • A cut-off time for each event will be enforced for the safety of competitors and event officials.
  • Entrants under the age of 15 years competing in any event must have a guardian present on race day who must have indicated/signed their consent when entering.

Paddler Specific

  • Paddlers need to be able to swim.
  • Lifejackets/buoyancy aid or a PDF must be worn by paddlers at all times on the water.
  • Official safety boats will be patrolling the paddle course for the duration of all paddle events.
  • A medical crew will be on the course with staff and resources at all events.
  • A paddler deemed incapable of completing the course may be brought to shore by an official safety boat at any time
  • While on the water, all paddlers must comply with the directions of officials aboard safety boats, and/or Surf Lifesaving crew, the Harbour Master or Coastguard.
  • In the event of getting in difficulty on or in the water, stop and raise your hand to identify yourself to a patrolling safety boat official. If this is not possible either brace with your paddle to keep upright in your craft or roll onto your back to float in a relaxed position in the water.
  • To ensure your safety, please be vigilant at the start, when paddling around buoys and passing or being passed by other paddlers.
  • We recommend nervous paddlers wear a long john (sleeveless) wetsuit to provide assistance with buoyancy and warmth in the event they happen to enter the water.

Swim Specific

  • Swimmers need to be able to swim.
  • Wetsuits and Swim Caps must be worn by swimmers at all times in the water.
  • Official safety boats will be patrolling the swim course for the duration of all swim events.
  • A medical crew will be on the course with staff and resources at all events.
  • A paddler deemed incapable of completing the course may be brought to shore by an official safety boat at any time
  • While on the water, all paddlers must comply with the directions of officials aboard safety boats, and/or Surf Lifesaving crew, the Harbour Master or Coastguard.
  • In the event of getting in difficulty in the water, raise your hand to identify yourself to a patrolling safety boat official.
  • To ensure your safety, please be vigilant at the start, when swimming around buoys and passing or being passed by other swimmers.

Cycle Specific

  • Helmets must be worn at all times on the bicycle.
  • Officials will be strategically positioned at key points around the cycle course for the duration of all cycle events.
  • A medical crew will be on the course with staff and resources at all events.
  • A rider deemed incapable of completing the course may be brought back by an official safety vehicle at any time.
  • While on the ride, all riders must comply with the road rules and the directions of event officials.
  • In the event of getting into difficulty on the ride, stop and seek assistance from the next competitor to pass or nearest event official. Sit down if you are feeling faint.
  • To ensure your safety, please be vigilant at the start, throughout the course and when passing or being passed by other riders.
  • No riding of bicycles is allowed in the transition areas. Please mount after exiting and dismount prior to entering transitions.

Run/Walk Specific

  • Officials will be strategically positioned at key points around the walk/run courses for the duration of all walk & run events.
  • A medical crew will be on the course with staff and resources at all events.
  • A walker or runner deemed incapable of completing the course may be brought back by an official safety vehicle at any time.
  • All walkers or runners must comply with the directions of event officials.
  • In the event of getting into difficulty on the walk or run, stop and seek assistance from the next competitor to pass or nearest event official. Sit down if you are feeling faint.
  • To ensure your safety, please be vigilant at the start, over the entire course and when passing or being passed by other walkers or runners.

Race Rules & Fair Play
Note: Ignorance of the rules will not be considered an excuse.

  1. Race numbers, timing chips and straps must not be tampered with or altered in any way. Participants who return damaged bibs, timing chips and straps will be liable for their replacement cost as hereby stated—Timing Chip =$30.00NZD.
  2. Participants must be present at their respective event briefing.
  3. Participants must start the race within the designated event start area.
  4. Race numbers must be visible at all times.
  5. Compulsory event equipment must be worn/used correctly when and where applicable.
  6. Wake washing during the paddle and drafting during the ride are permitted.
  7. It is the participants responsibility to know the designated event course. Participants must round buoys as indicated on the event map, adhere to the road rules, obey event officials instructions, follow and stick to the marked course, and stay within designated transition areas between stages. Failure to do this will result in disqualification. Short-cutting is not permitted! Lack of tape or barrier on the course will not be constituted as an excuse for cutting the course.
  8. Riders must complete the entire Mtb stage on the same bicycle upon which they begun. Rider’s bicycles must accompany them throughout the duration of the Mtb course.
  9. Participants must give assistance to fellow participants in need of help.
  10. No outside assistance is allowed from any person not competing in the same event. These include (but are not limited to) spectators, friends, family, volunteers, support crew, photographers.
  11. Any participant that appears incapable of completing an event at any stage may be withdrawn by event officials or the event organiser, during the event or prior.
  12. Sails, motors or spiked shoes are not permitted.
  13. No type of sound device is allowed during competition.
  14. Wittingly obstructing another competitor in the field is prohibited. Doing so will result in disqualification. If politely requested to move aside to allow faster competitors past you must do so as soon as practically possible.
  15. Foul conduct, unsportsmanlike or the use of profane or abusive language is grounds for disqualification. Treat other participants, officials and volunteers with respect and courtesy: there is no race without them.
  16. Participants must not be under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or a banned performance enhancing substance.
  17. Protests of any nature must be submitted in writing within one hour of the finish time of the person lodging the protest. Protests must be signed by the accuser. All protests will be investigated. In every case there will need to be verification of the infraction. Officials and the race director will not be drawn into a “hear-say” argument.
  18. Penalties will be determined by the severity of the infraction. The minimum penalty will always be 2 minutes. The maximum penalty will be disqualification from the event.
  19. The Race Director reserve the right to disqualify any competitor breaking the rules.
  20. The Race Director decision is final.