SOUTHERN LAKES MULTISPORT CLUB
CLUTHA CLASSIC
Clutha Classic
Event Information
Saturday 28 December 2019
Location: Wanaka Water Front
Registration: 8am - 930am
Race Briefing: 9:45am
Start first wave: 10:15am.
Entry Fee: $45 for SLMC Members $50 for non members
The race is handicapped with the slowest competitors leaving in the first wave, and is open to all classes of kayak.
A GRADE 2 CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IS REQUIRED FOR ANYONE ENTERING THE CLUTHA CLASSIC.
Dydimo is present on the Clutha River - ensure you properly wash and dry you paddle gear before heading to other water ways.
Boat Checks and Compulsory Gear Checks are required for every competitor and happen at registration (8am - 930am)
Everyone must attend the race briefing at 9:45am - Wanaka Water front
Contact Darren 0272794999
The Sprint
Event Information
Saturday 28 December 2019
Start Location: Albert Town Boat Ramp (access is the first right after the Albert Town Bridge, on the Hawea side of the Clutha River)
Registration: 8am - 930am
Gear Check: 9am - 1030am
Race Briefing: 10:45am
Start first wave: 11:15am.
Entry Fee: $45 for SLMC Members $50 for non members
The Sprint - 39km is now a race in its own right - having increased in popularity so will be run as a race within the race.
Registration will be held in the same place as the Clutha Classic - on the Wanaka Waterfront from 8am - 930am
Gear Check will be held at the Albert Town Boat Ramp from 9am - 1030am
The Sprint Race Briefing will be held at 10:45am and must be attended by all Sprint Competitors.
Start times will be in waves depending on the handicaping system. The start of the first wave will be approximately 11:15am
The Finish Line
The finish line for the Clutha Classic and The Sprint are at Bendigo Reach. We are very lucky to have access to this get out point, please be considerate to land owners, and respectful of the environment.
Vehicle Access: From the Tarras-Cromwell Road (SH8), turn onto Oliver Road (the intersection is about 1.7km South of the one-lane Lindis River Bridge). Follow Olivers Road (gravel) past the two houses on the right for about a kilometer, the road turns into more of a farm-track and makes a sweeping right hand turn. Continue along the track for about half a kilometer and then take a sharp left turn that leads into the willow trees. Once you emerge from the willows follow the track across the river stones to the Finish Area (click here for a detailed map)
Race End: When you emerge around the final bend of the Clutha River and reach the finish line victorious, ensure that you paddle close to the time-keepers so you can get your time accurately recorded.
Post Race: There will be a BBQ and something cool and refreshing to drink. The finish line is a great place for a picnic, to rendezvous with supporters and to share some yarns about how the handicapping worked out, and how many wave trains you dominated. Prize giving will be held at the finish line once the final paddler has completed the race, and the results have been tallied.
Entry Information
To enter the Clutha Classic or The Sprint you require a GRADE II KAYAKING PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATE.
All competitors must carry (or be wearing) all of the Compulsory Gear required for the event. Gear and boats will be scrutineered before the race.
In the event of extreme weather conditions, the race director and safety team reserve the right to substitute an alternative course.
This legendary race is a popular hit out before Kathmandu Coast to Coast and Red Bull Defiance. The Clutha Classic is 54km long. Competitors start in waves from the Wanaka foreshore, paddle across the lake to the outlet and down the Clutha River through Albert Town and under the Red Bridge at Luggate before negotiating the famous Devils Elbow, battling towards the finish line at Bendigo Reach.
2019 will see the first edition of The Sprint as a stand alone event. The Sprint is 34km long and begins at Albert Town, following the same course as the Clutha Classic and sharing the finish line at Bendigo Reach.
Compulsory Gear
Kayak, canoe or ski suitable for the conditions
PFD (life jacket) & Whistle
Survival Bag (attached to PFD)
Spraydeck
Airbags or sealed hatches
Paddle
Paddle Helmet
In a dry bag attached to the Kayak or Ski:
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Repair Kit (including duct tape)
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Polypro top and bottom
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Hat (wool or poly pro)
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Gloves (wool or poly pro)
To be worn, or carried:
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Paddle Jacket (wind proof)
This is the minimum you must carry
Spectator Information
Kayaking is not always a spectator sport - luckily there are several spots you can cheer competitors on:
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Various vantage points around Lake Wanaka - start line, Eely Point, Beacon Point Road, Lake Outlet Track
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Between Wanaka & Albert Town - loads of spots along the Outlet Track, Wicklow Terrace, Albert Town Bridge
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The Upper Clutha River Track runs both sides of the Clutha, with River Views along its length - easy access by foot or mountain bike
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Red Bridge on the Luggate-Tarras Road
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The finish line
Travel & Accommodation
There are plenty of awesome accommodation options within easy driving distance of the race start
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Wanaka
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Albert Town
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Hawea
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Cromwell
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Queenstown
