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Sunday, September 13th 2026
Cambridge to Hamilton Paddle Race
The Cambridge to Hamilton Paddle Race is an iconic Hamilton event, situated on the beautiful Waikato River. This event is open to both serious and recreational paddlers alike.
The paddle race is open to all types and classes of boats, from Stand up Paddleboards to Wakas.Competitors start at the riverside reserve in Cambridge and work there way 25km down stream to the finish line at the Waikato Sports Fishing Club/ Hamilton city Hawks Club rooms.
For those wanting to tackle a lesser distance, there is also the option of entering the 11km half from the narrows landing.
Waikato River Authority Sponsors Rangatahi Paddle Race
For all juniors kayak,SUP and Waka Ama paddlers, we provide kayaks and sups ,and waka ama club will provide Wakas .This division has free entry thanks to WRA sponsorship
Cambridge to Hamilton
Sunday, September 13th 2026
The Waikato River Authority Rangatahi 11 km Paddle Race JUNIORS
Waka single 11km JUNIOR FREE Individual
Waka single 11km JUNIOR FREE
Individual
$0.00
Waka 6 man 11km JUNIOR FREE TeamTeam of 6
Waka 6 man 11km JUNIOR FREE
TeamTeam of 6
$0.00
Waka 2 man 11km JUNIOR FREE TeamTeam of 2
Waka 2 man 11km JUNIOR FREE
TeamTeam of 2
$0.00
Under 18yrs 11km (half) FREE Individual
Under 18yrs 11km (half) FREE
Individual
$0.00
Red Paddle 10km SUP Schools Race FREE Individual
Red Paddle 10km SUP Schools Race FREE
Individual
$0.00
CRNZ Kahwai Youth Event FREE
Individual
There is no extra charge to enter the SUP cross event. Please select the SUP cross event if you wish to enter into that.
$0.00
1 Person (Single Boat)
Surf Canoe Individual
Surf Canoe
Individual
$140.00
ANY CRAFT Over 18yrs 23km (full) Individual
ANY CRAFT Over 18yrs 23km (full)
Individual
$90.00
ANY CRAFT Over 18yrs 11km (half) Individual
ANY CRAFT Over 18yrs 11km (half)
Individual
$70.00
ANY CRAFT Under 18yrs 23km (full) Individual
ANY CRAFT Under 18yrs 23km (full)
Individual
$50.00
Cruiser Division 23km (full) Individual
Cruiser Division 23km (full)
Individual
$80.00
Cruiser Division 11km (half) Individual
Cruiser Division 11km (half)
Individual
$60.00
2 People (Double Boat)
2 Person Over 18yrs 23km (full) TeamTeam of 2
2 Person Over 18yrs 23km (full)
TeamTeam of 2
$180.00
2 Person Over 18yrs 11km (half) TeamTeam of 2
2 Person Over 18yrs 11km (half)
TeamTeam of 2
$140.00
2 Person Under 18yrs 23km (full) TeamTeam of 2
2 Person Under 18yrs 23km (full)
TeamTeam of 2
$100.00
2 Person Under 18yrs 11km (half) TeamTeam of 2
2 Person Under 18yrs 11km (half)
TeamTeam of 2
$80.00
2 Person Cruiser Division 23km (full) TeamTeam of 2
2 Person Cruiser Division 23km (full)
TeamTeam of 2
$160.00
2 Person Cruiser Division 11km (half) TeamTeam of 2
2 Person Cruiser Division 11km (half)
TeamTeam of 2
$120.00
Special Divisions
Family/corporate double 23km (full) Includes kayak hire TeamTeam of 2
Family/corporate double 23km (full) Includes kayak hire
TeamTeam of 2
$250.00
Waka 6 man 23km (full) TeamTeam of 6
Waka 6 man 23km (full)
TeamTeam of 6
$200.00
4 People
Surf Boat (full) Age 12+TeamTeam of 5
Surf Boat (full)
Age 12+TeamTeam of 5
$200.00
K4 TeamTeam of 4
K4
TeamTeam of 4
$220.00
Starboard SUPcross
Sunday, September 13th 2026
Starboard SUPcross Individual
Starboard SUPcross
Individual
$10.00
Race Details
Venue: Cambridge Boat Ramp, Dominion Ave. Only access is from Williamson St.
- 7-00am to 8-30 am Rego
- 9-00am Race Briefing
- 9-30am Cruiser div, and sit on tops
- 9-35 am SUPs under 12ft 6”
- 9-40 am SUPs 12” 6 and over
- 9-45am Sea Kayak singles
- 9-50 am Corp Doubles ,Wakas 2 ,adventure race doubles
- 9-55 am Club skis ,and Prone boards
- 10 00 am Multisport Singles ,and wakas singles
- 10-05am Surf skis ,K1s ,Surfski doubles ,K2s
- 10-10 am Waka 6 ,Surf boats
Narrows Start times
Venue: Narrow Boat Ramp off Narrows Lane
- 10-50am Briefing
- 11am Youth SUPs 11km
- 11-05 am Youth Kayaks 11km
- 11-10 All others 11km
Entry Info
Under 18yrs 23km (full) – $50
Under 18yrs 11km (half) – $40
Over 18yrs 23km (full) – $90
Over 18yrs 11km (half) – $70
Cruiser Division 23km (full) – $80
Cruiser Division 11km (half) – $60
Waka 6 man 23km (full) – $200
Surf Boat 23km (full) – $200
Surf Canoe $140
Early entries fees above finish on the 1st August from then on, an extra $10 pp applies to all entries
Red Paddle Co Youth SUP Challenge sponsored by Waikato River Authority
- u12 – Free
- u14 – Free
- u16 – Free
- u19 – Free
School Sup entries include Red Paddle Co Board, PFD, Paddle, Safety boat on water.
Free entry will be limited to the first 16 paddlers entered
CRNZ Youth Kayak Event sponsored by Waikato River Authority
- u12 – Free
- u14 – Free
- u16 – Free
- u19 – Free
School Kayak entries include Surfski Kayak, PFD, Paddle, Safety boat on water.
Free entry will be limited to the first 20 paddlers entered
Waikato River Authority Rangatahi Waka Ama Event
- u12 – Free
- u14 – Free
- u16 – Free
- u19 – Free
You must contact your local Waka Ama Club to provide you waka for the race
We will provide PFDs and safety boat on water
Free entry will be limited to the first 24 paddlers entered
CycleTime Corp / Family / Team raced in Barracuda Duos
- STANDARD includes double hire – $250
- BRONZE includes double hire, 1x private lesson $300
- SILVER includes double hire, 1x private lesson, 3x Sunday sessions $650.00
- GOLD includes double hire, 1x private lesson, 6x Sunday sessions, stickers on boat, and race day promotion $850
All entry fee charges are in NZD.
Early bird entries end on the 1st August, after this date extra an $10 per person will apply.
Online Entries
You will receive an email confirmation of your entry immediately from the entry system. If you don’t receive this you can login and resend it to yourself.
For payments made via Credit Card, the name which will appear on your customer statement will be THE BOATSHED KAYAKS.
Refunds
We will refund the amount paid less a $10 admin fee if the entry is cancelled prior to Wednesday 12th Sept 2025.No refund will be paid after the 12th Sept 2025.
Cancellations
In extreme weather or Force Majeure the event may be cancelled at any time. In this situation entry fees are non -refundable, although we will do our best to reschedule the event.
Divisions
The following divisions are available:
- Cruiser (un-timed open to all types of paddle powered vessels-not eligible for medals)
- K1
- K2
- Multisport – single
- Adventure Race Double
- Sea Kayak single – plastic
- Sea Kayak single – composite
- Sea Kayak – double
- Waka – single
- Waka – two or more person
- Waka – six man
- Canoe
- Surf Ski – single
- Surf Ski – double
- 3m Single Plastic Sit on Top
- 3m-4m Single Plastic Sit on Top
- 4m+ Single Plastic Sit on Top
- Double Plastic Sit on Top
- Stand up Paddleboard 12’6 and under
- Stand up Paddleboard over 12’6
- Corporate/ Family Double
- SURF Boat

Additional Information
If you need to hire a kayak or any kayaking apparel a range of sea and multisport kayaks are available through The Boatshed Kayaks Ltd. Contact us either via email theboatshed@xtra.co.nz
Paddleboard Hire
If you need to hire a Paddle Board, a range of boards from the Boatshed please contact via email theboatshed@xtra.co.nz
Info on Cruising Division Race
After the success of last year we have kept the cruising division. This is to encourage anyone who hasn’t paddled this section of the Waikato River before to get out and have ago .The cruising division will start ahead of the main field. There will be no timing provided for this group, hence the lower cost. This means no age group prizes, but you will be placed in the draw for spot prizes.
So if you know of anyone who would enjoy giving this paddle ago, this is the option for them .It will be a very safe time to explore this beautiful section of the Waikato river, with all of the other paddlers and safety boats out there, and provide a great Sunday activity.
Other Details
- Competitors should, where possible, bring their own driver to avoid having to return to the start of the race and possibly miss the Prize giving.
- Age categories – competitors must be the age specified in the category, on the day of the event.
- Bring money. Food not included in the entry.
Check Clean Dry
Stop the Spread
The Cambridge to Hamilton Race is taking place right in the middle of the Gold Clam incursion zone. These unwanted aquatic pests, as well as invasive plants and fish can be easily transported between waterways on contaminated gear and clothing. Their juveniles are highly abundant, microscopic and have sticky mucus threads, so you may not even be aware that you are transporting them. Help stop the spread of freshwater pests between lakes and rivers through your actions, CHECK CLEAN DRY.
How to Check Clean Dry:
CHECK: All your equipment and remove any visible matter such as shells, weed or algae.
CLEAN: Thoroughly spray all of your hard surface equipment with a high powered water hose to physically dislodge juvenile clams and other pests. For absorbent materials such as wetsuits and lifejackets, place these in hot water (50°C+) for 5 minutes or freeze them overnight.
DRY: All gear must be completely dry for 48 hours before it can enter another waterway.
This applies prior to arriving at the event and immediately post-event.
Bio Securiy
See website for details
Event Safety
- Race numbers to be displayed on the left-hand side of your vessel.
- Approved buoyancy aids MUST BE WORN on the water and positive buoyancy devices installed in all craft.
- If a competitor pulls out, they must inform the nearest marshal as soon as possible. Rescue craft will be available, but competitors are expected to assist others when required and apply for time compensation from officials.
- One major hazards of paddling the Waikato River are the willow trees along the side, please be cautious that if you are a relatively in-experienced paddler we advise you to stick to the middle of the river and in the event of a capsize place yourself on the upstream side of your craft.