Senior Participant Briefing

Lake Kaniere Scenic Triathlon Senior Participants Briefing 2025

Welcome to the 40th Lake Kaniere Scenic Triathlon event.

General information. 

  1. This multisport event includes a Long-Distance Swim, Run, Walk, Swim Triathlon, Kayak Triathlon and a Duathlon. Please note however that ALL events will start from HUB at Hans Bay at the same time as 9.00am. All events will also transition and finish at the HUB.  
  2. Timeframes for the day – Kayaks and bikes must be in place by 8.00am. Kayaks and bikes will be safety checked between 8.00am-8.30am. Competitors briefing at 8.45am with Race start at 9.00am. Prizegiving is at the Regent Theatre Hokitika, Weld Street, at 5pm.
  3. There is a major spot prize for a bike, as well as many other spot prizes which will all be drawn at the prizegiving using the race numbers so make sure you place your number in the box in the Info tent when you finish your event. You must be present at prizegiving to be eligible for a prize.
  4. A Kids triathlon is being run and starts at 1.30 pm – please ensure that you have packed up all your gear and the HUB at Hans Bay is clear by 1 pm.  The Kids Run and cycle courses take place on the main road from Hans Bay to Sunny Bight so be mindful of this when you drive back to town.
  5. Emergency procedures – The Event Manager and Medical Personnel will be based in an information tent at the HUB, and will have radio contact with Marshals on the courses – please approach event staff if you need information or assistance. All event staff will be wearing High Viz vests.
  6. If you withdraw from the race at any stage – please notify event staff.
  7. Please leave the HUB and timing chute promptly when completing your event to avoid congestion in the transition area.
  8. Participants in teams must tag hands in the designated tag /transition zone.
  9. Timekeeping – the HUB has been set up with a one-way chute which ALL competitors must pass AFTER EACH DISCIPLINE to record a time.   This chute is where all timekeeping will be undertaken and applies whether you are competing as an Individual or in a team event. 
  10. Runners, Walkers and Cyclists – The roads are not closed during this event – all NZTA Traffic rules apply, You Must always obey NZ Road Rules.  Marshals are in place, but they are NOT able to stop traffic.
  11.  Swim Triathlon, Kayakers and Long-Distance Swim participants. 
  1. The lake is not closed to the public during this event – so if a member of the public launches or returns to the boat ramp whilst swimmers are in the vicinity you will hear 3 short blasts of the starter horn – which means that you must return directly to the shore – the Boat marshals will escort you to ensure a safe distance is maintained from the vessel.
  2. Swimmers and Kayakers requiring assistance in the water –swimmers tread water and raise your hand, Kayakers stay by your kayak and raise your arm or paddle to alert boat marshals that you need help.
  3. All swimmers must wear bright colored bathing caps. No cap, no swim!
  4. Swimmers to be at the Info tent between 8.30am and 9 am to have their number written on their hand.

Course Descriptions. 

Long Distance Swim.  This is the 2km Canoe Cove addition. Swim in a line, marked by white buoys, from the boat ramp towards the corner of the closest island. From here follow the shoreline, keeping the buoys on your right, around towards the beach at Canoe Cove. Turning around this buoy, return to Hans Bay, this time keeping the buoys on your left-hand side.  The Kotuku Surf Lifesaving Club is overseeing this swim, lifesavers on board will guide the swimmers, ensuring you can always follow someone in front of you. Exit the water, ensure your number is visible and run through the chute to record your time.

Swim Triathlon.  This is a 680-metre swim, followed by a 20km Cycle leg and finishes with a 10.2 km Run.  The swim is a triangular clockwise course and starts at the Hans Bay HUB and is marked by pink   buoys which will always be on your right. From the boat ramp you will swim straight ahead towards the island until you reach the first  buoy, where you will turn RIGHT and swim parallel to the shore until you reach the second buoy, where you will again turn RIGHT  and return towards  the boat ramp – exiting the lake at the finish beside  the Yellow buoy marked F , ensure your number is visible then  run through the chute to record your time. 

Run , Walk,  and Run course for Swim and Kayak Triathlon and Duathlon . This is a 10.2 Km course starting at the HUB at Hans Bay and proceeds along Lake Kaniere Road until turning Right into Wards Road. Proceed along Wards Road for several kms, then turn Right into the Water Race track and continue along this off road section for 3kms until you reach Lake Kaniere Road at the Sunny Bight corner.  Marshals will be in place here to assist you to cross the road where you will return to the HUB at Hans Bay. Ensure that you run through the chute to record a time then tag a team member in the transition zone or continue as an individual to the next discipline. The off road section of the Water Race track is open to cycle trail users during this event, Marshals are in place at each end of this section to warn cyclists, but they are not able to stop cyclists.  You must Run on the Right hand side of the road so you can see oncoming traffic.

Kayak Course.  this is a 7.4Km course starting at the HUB at Hans Bay – heading south for 3.7 kms –  until you reach the turning buoy near Big Bay where you turn and paddle back to the shore at Hans Bay HUB.  Exit your craft and run through the chute to record a time.  Swimmers may be exiting the water near to where you finish –please be aware of their proximity.  You must paddle within 50 meters of the shoreline on both the outward and return legs.   You must wear an approved Life jacket, and Kayaks must be scrubbed to prevent Didymo and will be checked prior to the race.  If numbers are worn beneath Life Jackets – Jackets  must be removed so number is visible when running through the timing chute.

Cycle Course For Swim and Kayak triathlon and Duathlon . This is a 20 Km out and back course leaving the HUB at Hans Bay to the corner at the top of the Hans Bay hill where it turns Right into the graveled Milltown Road. Mountain bikes are recommended. This winding and undulating road continues for 10 kms into the Arahura Valley  which includes a fast downhill section. Take Care on this hill!  The turn point is at the Arahura Bridge , where you return to the HUB – Noting that you MUST Rack your own bike before running through the chute to record your time.  You must wear a helmet and your bike must be suitable for the gravel surface.  Remember that the Road is OPEN to traffic at all times and NZTA Traffic rules apply.