This is the perfect opportunity for an event goal, the buzz of being part of a big SUP event AND a Bay of Islands road trip. 

A wide range of paddlers with all sorts of boards are soon to converge at the Waitangi Inlet for a weekend of events on 13 &14 April. With three distance races within the overall event, there's something for paddlers of all abilities and ambitions. And who wouldn't jump at the chance to paddle in the beautiful Bay of Islands. 

The 4km course you can liken to a 5km run. It will need some 'training' to build your endurance for that distance and a bit more speed than normal. But it doesn't need weeks and months of serious training. All our PaddleFit Tech I class clients could complete this. Think of the 8km course as similar to a 10km run. Some training will be helpful to build your endurance and, depending on how quickly you'd like to do it, your speed. And of your the fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy the challenge and experience. So these distances are achievable for most paddlers, both the 4 and 8km courses are in sheltered waters within the Waitangi Inlet.

The 16km course is for those who want a half marathon type challenge. This course travels out the Inlet and around Motumaire Island and involves a greater variety of water conditions. The 4 and 8km courses are separate from the 16km courses so you can enjoy doing your own thing without feeling ‘in the way’ of the 'half marathoners’.

Then on Sunday watch the spectacle of the Sprint races when you can either pit your wits against the fastest paddlers over 200m or just sit back an enjoy watching.

Accomodation around Paihia is easy to find with options including the Waitangi Holiday Park, Copthorne Hotel or holiday homes for rent. So get your entries in before 1st April and don't get hit with the late entry fees.

If you are going to take on a challenge and feel the reward of achieving it, preparation is key. We have SUPWell distance training plans designed for the 4,8 and 16km distances.  Taking into account the time you have to train, each plan has 3-5 carefully designed workouts per week for the 6-8 weeks leading up to 13 April.

If you like to be prepared and want the convenience of a simple plan to follow, email Helen (helen@citysup.co.nz) or Victoria (victoriasupsnz@me.com) to enquire about our training plans.