AquaBike

The Garth Barfoot Aquabike race is back for 2021. Challenge yourself with a 3km swim and 120km bike on Saturday 20th February.

This time we’ll be starting the Aquabike race off earlier at 8am to fit in with our starters from the Challenge Wanaka Half and to keep you focused during the day!

EVENT DATE:  Saturday 20th February 2021

Entrant List

2020 entrant list for the Aquabike race is available to view here:

Race Manual

The Aquabike Race Manual for 2021 has all the information you need in preparation for your big day. This will be available for download soon!

Course details

Swim Leg – 3km
View map

The swim course is set for Roy’s Bay in Lake Wanaka

The two-lap swim is in the sheltered part of Roy’s Bay in Lake Wanaka within easy view of spectators watching from the shore. The course has a beach start swimming in an anti-clockwise direction with a total of three turn buoys.

Lake Wanaka is the warmest lake in the Southern Lakes and is a popular choice for a large range of water sports each summer. The swim course is in crystal clear water so clean you can drink it.

Bike Leg – 120km

View map

The 120km bike is over one lap and takes in two of the alpine lakes in the Southern Lakes region, with an out and back leg to make up the distance.

The course heads out of town winding round the edge of Lake Wanaka towards Mt Aspiring National Park, reaching the Hospital Flat turnaround point at 17km and heading back to the township. After passing through the main race area and crowds of spectators the course turns left alongside the lake and then up Aubrey Road into Albert Town. Turning left out of Albert Town you’ll then be taken on an undulating ride to Lake Hawea. After a ride along the Hawea lakefront the course heads to Hawea Flat followed by a short climb to the terraces and then a steep descent to the Clutha River.  Before reaching the Red Bridge, a sharp left hand turn takes you out towards Tarras for 15km where a U-turn takes you back to the Red Bridge. After crossing the Red Bridge you will turn right at Luggate. Competitors will climb to Wanaka Airport and then left onto Mt Barker Road, winding through beautiful countryside, onto Riverbank Road and right at Orchard Road for the final 5km downhill and back to transition where you will rack your bike and run 100 metres to the finish.

Aid Stations
Aid stations on the bike course will be approximately 20km apart. These will have bike bottles with PURE electrolyte drink or water in them. Peak Fuel bars, PURE Gels and bananas will also be available from aid stations at all times, along with hydration from PURE. Coke is available on the final two aid stations. Please make sure you train on these products prior to the race so you know how they work for you – everyone is different.

Drafting
If you are caught drafting you will be penalised and/or disqualified as per the Triathlon NZ regulations. Please read the Terms & Conditions which are part of the entry form for clarification on our drafting rules.

Bike cut off and course close : 3:00pm

Challenge Wanaka Garth Barfoot AquaBike Prize Offerings

Thanks to the amazing generosity of Garth Barfoot, we are pleased to offer the following prizes to eligible racers in 2020:

First overall winner male and female at the 2020 Integrity Homes Challenge Wanaka Aquabike race will receive full flight and accommodation subsidy at the 2020 World Championships held in Almere, the Netherlands.

  • Conditional of Tri NZ Team selection & eligibility.
    Twin Share rooms at Team hotel – Ibis Styles, Almere for 5 nights.
    Economy flights: athlete must travel on outgoing team flight to Almere.
    Only available through Tri NZ Official Travel Supplier – House of Travel
    Athlete must enter in 2020 Aquabike World Championship race to receive prize (not transferable to other destinations, races, or events).
    No ‘roll downs’ of prize offered.

First place getter in each age group to receive full accommodation subsidy at 2020 World Championships held in Almere, the Netherlands.

  • Conditional of Tri NZ Team selection & eligibility.
    Twin Share rooms at Team hotel – Ibis Styles, Almere for 5 nights.
    Only available at The Tri NZ Official Team Hotel – Ibis Styles
    Athlete must enter in 2020 Aquabike World Championship race to receive prize (not transferable to other races or events).
    No ‘roll downs’ of prize offered.

For more information, terms and conditions on the full AquaBike Prize offerings, please visit the TriNZ website

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