Event Details

Dates

Saturday 5 – Tuesday 8 September 2026

Saturday 5 September 2026 – Practice Day (Canoe Racing and Canoe Slalom)
Sunday 6 – Monday 7 September 2026 – Canoe Slalom
Tuesday 8 September 2026 – Canoe Racing

Venues

McLaren Falls Park, Lower Kaimai, Tauranga (Practice Day and Canoe Slalom)

Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui (Canoe Racing)

Entry Fee

NZ$80.00 per paddler (NZ$)

The entry fee covers participation in both the Canoe Slalom and Canoe Racing events. Paddlers may choose to take part in one or both disciplines.

RegistrATION TimeliNe

Entries Open

Friday 20 March 2026 at 9:00 AM

Entries Close

Wednesday 3 June 2026 at 7:59 PM

All registrations must be submitted online by each school’s designated Zespri AIMS Games Coordinator using their unique login code.

CONTACT

Email: info@nzaimsgames.co.nz

For Further Information

​​​​​​​Visit http://www.canoeslalombop.co.nz

PLANNING INFORMATION

Entry Fees

• NZ$80.00 per paddler (non-refundable)
• Payment is due within 7 days of invoice receipt
• Invoices will be issued to school accounts managers after entries close

Eligibility

Students must be aged over 10 and under 13 years as of 31 December 2025. For the 2026 Games, eligible birth years are 2013, 2014, and 2015. Birthdates must be provided during registration.

Competition Divisions

Canoe Slalom

• Canoe Slalom Year 7 Girls
• Canoe Slalom Year 7 Boys
• Canoe Slalom Year 8 Girls
• Canoe Slalom Year 8 Boys

There is no restriction on the number of paddlers a school may register.

Multi-Code Participation

Students may enter more than one sporting code, provided they meet permitted code crossover eligibility.

Please note: No timetable adjustments will be made to accommodate scheduling conflicts between sporting codes. It is the responsibility of each school and the parents/caregivers to ensure that students’ chosen events do not overlap.​​​​​​​

PROGRAMME

Venue

McLaren Falls Park

McLaren Falls Park is located approximately 30 minutes from Tauranga City and spans 190 hectares of pastoral and horticultural parkland alongside Lake McLaren.

Around 300 sheep roam freely throughout the park, so dogs are not permitted anywhere within McLaren Falls Park. Dogs must also not be left unattended in vehicles.

The event will take place at Top Flat within McLaren Falls Park.

Please follow all instructions from security, marshals, event staff, and any pre‑race communications to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all participants.

RULES

Individual Race:

Year 8 (boys and girls) need to do one of the following in both the time trial and the Head-to-Head race:

• Eskimo roll (this means 360-degree barrel roll, i.e., go over one side and up on the other side). Or
• T Rescue – paddler goes completely upside down and then does 3 taps on side of boat to signal boat assist. Or
• 3 x 360-degree flat spin, i.e., on top of the water.

Year 7 (boys and girls) need to do one of the following in both the time trial and the Head-to-Head race:

• 2 x 360-degree flat spin, i.e., on top of the water. Or
• Eskimo roll (this means 360-degree barrel roll, i.e., go over one side and up on the other side).

Teams Race:

Year 8 teams (both boys and girls) – one team member must:

• Eskimo roll (this means 360-degree barrel roll, i.e., go over one side and up on the other side). Or
• T Rescue – paddler goes completely upside down and then does 3 taps on side of boat to signal boat assist. Or
• 3 x 360-degree flat spin, i.e., on top of the water.

​​​​Year 7 teams (both boys and girls)- one team member must:

• 2 x 360-degree flat spin, i.e., on top of the water. Or
• Eskimo roll (this means 360-degree barrel roll, i.e., go over one side and up on the other side).

Please note in the case of a mixed year group team – the year 8 rules will apply.

General Rules

1. There is no limit on the number of paddlers a school can enter in each division. 
2. Each school can only enter one team per age and gender in the team event (e.g., one Year 7 Boys team, one Year 8 Boys team, one Year 7 Girls team and one Year 8 Girls team).
3. For all individual and team events to be constituted there must be a minimum of three entrants from at least two different schools. If these criteria are not met, then the entrants go into the next age group i.e., Year 7 would compete in the Year 8 event. If there are insufficient girls, then they will move into the boy’s event of the corresponding year or as above up a year group.
4. Wear clothing that is associated with your school.
5. No bare torso allowed.
6. Please obey all marshals and briefings and park all vehicles in set areas.
7. Officials only in designated areas during each race.
8. All team managers are required to have their team medical forms with them during the event.
9. Team Managers are responsible for their parents and supporters.
10. Please ensure that the safety and enjoyment of all competitors is of utmost importance.

Equipment Rules

1. All kayaks will be supplied – own kayaks not permitted.
2. All paddles are supplied.
3. All buoyancy vests, spray decks and helmets will be supplied.
4. Paddlers will use slalom kayaks provided by organisers. Paddles and PFDs will also be provided.
5. Shoes are permitted in kayaks.
6. Individuals may use their own paddle, buoyancy vest, spray deck or helmet if desired.

Health and Safety

1. All participants, team managers and schools are reminded that they compete at their own risk and absolve the event director, all marshals, helpers and volunteers from any blame or claim.
2. Officials and safety kayakers will be located on water with radio coverage to event organisers in case of emergency.
3. Clear instruction to coaches/team managers will be given about the extent of the organiser's responsibilities at the managers meeting.

Discipline - Teams Event

1. Schools to select teams comprising three boys or three girls in each year group (members are gender and year specific).
2. Slalom team members can be of mixed gender and mixed year groups; however, they compete in the boys' team race of the eldest team member.
3. All participants in the team event must have competed in the individual event.
4. The last opportunity to name or change teams will be at the team managers meeting with the exception of withdrawals due to injury or illness.
5. All team members must be students at the same school.
6. The organisers will accept students from different schools if they do not have the required number in their team BUT no points will be awarded for this event (participation only).

Event Honours

• Medals are awarded for 1st, 2nd 3rd in each event provided the rules of event constitution are met.
• Teams Event points are awarded to the first three teams only (1st = 18, 2nd = 16, 3rd = 15).
• Individual points will be distributed for the top 16 athletes (Points are 1st = 18, 2nd = 16, 3rd = 15, 4th = 14 and so on).

Chief Official

The organisers will appoint a chief official to whom general complaints can be directed. Complaints must be lodged within 10 minutes of the completion of the race on the official disputes form and accompanied by $100.00.

MEDAL PRESENTATIONS

Medals for the top placegetters in both individual and team events, across all year groups and genders, will be presented at the venue once all races have been completed.