James Lance Kiri Moore (aka Bhutty) was a core member of the Goodyear Outrigger Canoe Crew and New Zealand’s White Water Rafting Team. He loved the water and there weren’t too many days when he wasn’t amongst it in one way or another. In July 2008 we had to bid our brother farewell, as while we were doing a down-winder Bhutty got the call up into Tangaroa’s team. We host this event to honour our friend, to celebrate his life and what he achieved. The race is designed to raise the bar, to keep us all in top form and at the top of our game. To be able to compete, or complete, means that you will have had to have done the hard yards and every time you are out training you can thank Bhutty for the legacy that he left.
This is the event for the countries best Outrigger Canoe, Ocean Ski and SUP Paddlers. But it is for anyone who loves paddling and wants to challenge themselves with a 30+km ocean run on the Bay of Plenty’s beautiful coast, over 100 paddlers can’t be wrong. No doubt there are some unsettled scores and we hope to see the best of the bunch return to either retain their title or to claim it for themselves. Sorry, but Bhutty’s ‘Champions Cup’ race is NOT an event for novice paddlers.
Race divisions are: Open Men & Women – Single Outrigger Canoe, Ocean Ski and Stand Up Paddle Board, + Open Double Outrigger Canoe & Double Surf Ski + Relay.
Pick your canoe of choice and show us what you’re made of.
Everyone is welcome to be a part of the event. If you can’t paddle you can help run shuttles, be on a support boat, or just mingle with good people and come for the feed (James would). Contact us if you are keen to help out in any way or just show up on the day. Help is always needed and appreciated.
Prior Champions Include:
OC – Kingi Gilbert, Bryce Irving, Tonga White, Stephen Roulston, Tupu King, Paul Chong
Bernie Murch, Sarah Url, Mereana Hodges, Mariana Hodges, Coral Darbishire, Lynora Hati, Penelope Strickland, Nicky Kingi
SKI – Paul Wilford, Tim Grammer, Simon Mclarin, Mike Walker, Oskar Steilau, Simon Longdill, Andrew Mowlem, Garth Spencer, Tom Ashley, Ben Keys
Katie Pocock, Dene Simpson, Rachel Clarke
SUP – Mike Nuku, Armie Armstrong, Brent Bourgeois, Nick Chater
Annabel Anderson, Penelope Strickland, Michelle Head
# Bold holds the course record
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