The series consists of Four kayak races on the Lower Waimakariri River in Canterbury.

The first two races start at Bailes Island Picnic Area. The second two races the start location will depend on the current river flow. It will either be The Willows or Miners Bank. Race One and Two concludes by paddling up the Kaiapoi River to the finish line under the second Bridge in the town centre. Races Three and Four the finish line will either be Bailes Island or the SH1 Road Bridge.

The series consists of three kayak races down from Woodstock on the Waimakariri River in Canterbury.

The section of river used for this series is the final section of the famous Coast to Coast kayak leg. The races start at Woodstock Downs and finish at the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge.. The section is approximately 14km.

The Waimakariri Classic River Race is one of New Zealand’s most iconic kayak events, drawing paddlers from across the country to tackle the legendary Waimakariri River.

This challenging 70km course stretches from Mt White to Gorge Bridge, following the same route as the kayak leg of the world-renowned Coast to Coast multisport race. Designed primarily for multisport boats, the race demands not only endurance and technical skill, but also an intimate knowledge of the river’s ever-changing channels and flow.

Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or an up-and-coming racer, the Classic River Race offers a true test of grit, speed, and river-running mastery in one of the country’s most spectacular alpine settings.