RESULTS for all years

Race Reports from Previous Years (latest at the top)

Held Sunday 12th September 2010- Race Report

2010 RESULTS BY CATEGORY (updated)

The Waikato River in full flood and overnight rain, made for a sleepless night for the race organiser. Luckily rain cleared in the morning; the river was still flowing at over 480 cumecs, but the race was all go. Over 300 paddlers turned out; of those 220 were in the competitive divisions, the rest in the untimed cruise division, that was sent off first. Because of the swollen river the starts for each division were exciting to say the least with a few swims and near collisions with willow trees. If you survived the start the big flow made the river less technical, and times were all slightly faster.

The last group to start included the K1s, Surf Skis, and Multisport one paddlers, the likely overall men and Women's winner were expected from this group. Last years fastest paddler Mike Walker had just flown in from Europe the night before, and travelled down to race, this year he was on his Ski, rather than his K1. He had a very competitive field of over 40 ski paddlers, plus some of the young guns in K1s to beat, if he was to retain his title.

A large crowd had gathered at the Narrows bridge to encourage competitors, the first boat thru was Jeremy Kugeleijn and Garth Spencer in their adventure race double. They had a comfortable lead staying well ahead of the chasing divisions. Surprisingly some of the non competitive paddlers were making good time with the extra water flow pushing them. In the Women's field Rachel Cashin had a handy lead over Loise Mark, Loise was just back from an adventure race in China, and probably paying the price for her travels. Hannah Lowe in the K1 was expected to challenge for overall, but a swim early on saw her chances disappear.

The finish at the Grantham street boatramp, was completely flooded, with park benches submerged where spectators normally stand, forcing the paddlers to run 50 metres thru ankle deep waters to the finish line, making for an exciting finish and a large crowd of spectators cheering them on. Jeremy and Garth were first across the line in 1h 28m. . . Mike Walker finished in an amazing 1h 26m retaining his fastest overall time and taking the prize money. Rachel Cashin was fastest women in 1h 38m, junior paddler Rebecca Cole was very close behind at 1h 40m and then Loise Mark at 1h 41m 56s

The plastic and composite seakayak divisions were hotly contested with some great battles. The Club shield was retained by Piha, but only just with Wiatara, and BOP ever so close. Great to see so many paddlers turning out for New Zealand's largest kayak event, and lots of first timers giving it a go.

The Boatshed would like to thank all its faithful sponsors for their contribution to the event, and we hope that you will all be back again next year. We also like to mention all those behind-the-scenes helpers, such as Jess and the Students in Free Enterprise group, and Pauline and Dave Lazarus.

Report by Richard Clark from the Boatshed Kayaks

12th September 2010- Race Report

The Waikato River in full flood and overnight rain, made for a sleepless night for the race organiser. Luckily rain cleared in the morning; the river was still flowing at over 480 cumecs, but the race was all go. Over 300 paddlers turned out; of those 220 were in the competitive divisions, the rest in the untimed cruise division, that was sent off first. Because of the swollen river the starts for each division were exciting to say the least with a few swims and near collisions with willow trees. If you survived the start the big flow made the river less technical, and times were all slightly faster.

The last group to start included the K1s, Surf Skis, and Multisport one paddlers, the likely overall men and Women's winner were expected from this group. Last years fastest paddler Mike Walker had just flown in from Europe the night before, and travelled down to race, this year he was on his Ski, rather than his K1. He had a very competitive field of over 40 ski paddlers, plus some of the young guns in K1s to beat, if he was to retain his title.

A large crowd had gathered at the Narrows bridge to encourage competitors, the first boat thru was Jeremy Kugeleijn and Garth Spencer in their adventure race double. They had a comfortable lead staying well ahead of the chasing divisions. Surprisingly some of the non competitive paddlers were making good time with the extra water flow pushing them. In the Women's field Rachel Cashin had a handy lead over Loise Mark, Loise was just back from an adventure race in China, and probably paying the price for her travels. Hannah Lowe in the K1 was expected to challenge for overall, but a swim early on saw her chances disappear.

The finish at the Grantham street boatramp, was completely flooded, with park benches submerged where spectators normally stand, forcing the paddlers to run 50 metres thru ankle deep waters to the finish line, making for an exciting finish and a large crowd of spectators cheering them on. Jeremy and Garth were first across the line in 1h 28m. . . Mike Walker finished in an amazing 1h 26m retaining his fastest overall time and taking the prize money. Rachel Cashin was fastest women in 1h 38m, junior paddler Rebecca Cole was very close behind at 1h 40m and then Loise Mark at 1h 41m 56s

The plastic and composite seakayak divisions were hotly contested with some great battles. The Club shield was retained by Piha, but only just with Wiatara, and BOP ever so close. Great to see so many paddlers turning out for New Zealand's largest kayak event, and lots of first timers giving it a go.

The Boatshed would like to thank all its faithful sponsors for their contribution to the event, and we hope that you will all be back again next year. We also like to mention all those behind-the-scenes helpers, such as Jess and the Students in Free Enterprise group, and Pauline and Dave Lazarus.

Report by Richard Clark from the Boatshed Kayaks

2009 Report:
Event Held Sunday 13th September
Held in 2009 for the first time under the management of The Boatshed.
Sponsorship or entry inquiries to Richard Clark of The Boatshed Kayaks
or Pauline Lazarus, Event Administrator on 07 8232212 or 021 1901662.

This premier North Island river race of approximately 23 kilometres is a class event open to all types and classes of canoes, kayaks, waka and ski's. A short distance event of 11km is also available to racers and cruisers.

Further information on the 2010 event will be displayed here closer to the time.

APOLOGY!
The organisers would like to apologise for the slow prize-giving after this year's event. It is definitely the plan to improve that in future.

09 Results
Results of the 2009 race are all available from our results page (including previous years back to 2004)

Race Report
Cambridge to Hamilton Kayak Race The Boatshed crew were amazed with the turn out for their first year's running of the Cambridge to Hamilton race plus cruise. This iconic event is the largest kayak only event in the country, this year around 320 competitors took to the water, numbers are also boosted by Wakas, and this year stand-up paddle boards.

The river was only running at 150 cumecs compared to last years 400 cumecs plus, but perfect spring weather made for good paddling conditions.

Paddlers start in waves depending on their division, slower boats going first. All of the top paddlers from different codes were present, Ben Fouhy having a year off from k1s was paddling multisport A in his evo, up against Gordon Walker. K1s were represented by Olympian Mike Walker, and two young guns Tom Yule and Sam Newlands. Surf ski had Tim Grammar, and Rob Nicol leading the charge. Women racers included top multisporter Anne Marie Guiney, Louise Mark, and Rachel Cashin. K1s by veteran Marine Fomusek, and under 23 marathon champ Hannah Lowe.

At the half way mark Ben had a good lead in his multi A field with Gordon Walker sitting on Adam Fraser's wash. A charging Mike Walker was on his own chasing the Multi A’s who started before him. South African Deane Simpson, new to New Zealand, was surprising the local girls, followed by Louise Mark who was leading Rachel Cashin.

The finish was before the Grantham St Bridge in the centre of Hamilton. Ben crossed the line not far behind a 6 person Waka team from Enviroment Waikato. Gordon Walker managed to get past Adam Fraser for second multi, Adam third.

Mike walker was a clear Ist in K1, s and had the fastest overall time. Tom Yule was second K1 with Sam Newland in third. Tim Grammer took out the Ski, s from Rob Nicol, Tom Jacka third.

Garth Spencer and Jeremy Kuggerleijn were first double home followed by the double skis of Tonya and Gerard Callebaut, then Stephen and Georgia Newman. Teressa Mumby and Jane Ganley were the fist women's double. The masters pairing of Vicky and Richard Wwillis were the first mixed adventure race double.

In the womens race multi sport was taken out by B division paddler Anne - Marie Guiney ahead of Deane Simpson and Loise Mark, Rachel Cashin in 4th In the K1, s Marnie Fornusek just beat Hannah Lowe. Marnie is off to Aussie to compete in World Cup DR races, and was using this race as a shake down.

The event is a great show case of kayaking, combining the Race Divisions plus just as many cruiser paddlers out just to complete the course. The online results for all the other hotly contested divisions that haven't been mentioned. Congratulations to all those that completed the course especially those in the slower boats who have to work a lot harder and take longer. We look forward to an even bigger turn out next year.

Cheers from Richard and Pauline