Race procedures
Race procedures, equipment and uniform rules for every paddler at Vaka Eiva 2026.
Before every race
These procedures must be followed prior to every race.
Teams must check in, in their entirety, at the Registration Centre. All paddlers must sign the race registration form, then show their completed form and wristband to registration officials.
Teams will be issued a “Canoe Check” form and accompanied by a Vaka Eiva volunteer to their allocated canoe. Once the safety check is complete, return the signed form to the Registration Centre. Canoes are numbered for easy reference.
Upon returning the form, you’ll receive a “checked” tag for your canoe. Return to your canoe immediately and attach the tag around the kiato (spreader).
A briefing is held 30 minutes before the scheduled start. The steerer and at least two other team members must attend.
After the briefing, take the canoe to the slipway. A Vaka Eiva volunteer will do a final safety check and remove the tag. Then enter the water and proceed to the race start zone.
Warning notifications
All crews must be at their canoes.
Canoes depart for the start line.
Race starts in 5 minutes.
After every race
These procedures must be followed at the end of every race.
No canoe is to be run up onto or left on the beach at the finish line. Exit the water in the order of finishing.
Teams must stay with their canoe until it is brought up the slipway and placed back in the designated canoe parking zone.
One member must retrieve the “Canoe Check” sheet from the Safety Team at the top of the slipway and return it to the canoe.
The canoe must be re-checked with a Vaka Eiva volunteer. Both a crew member and the volunteer sign the form to show the canoe is available for the next race. Note any damage now and report it to the Registration Centre.
Equipment requirements
Uniform requirements
Failure to follow uniform rules will result in disqualification. Official Vaka Eiva race shirts must be worn for:
V6 Iron and Sprints: paddlers may wear either the official Vaka Eiva shirt or their own club shirts.
Indemnity & damage
Protests
After the last canoe crosses the finish line.
After the last canoe crosses the finish line.
After the finish.
Questions?
Check the FAQs or get in touch with the organising team.
