The opening round of the New Zealand Water Ski Racing Association's 2025/26 season got underway at Mercer, with thirteen boats entered in the Long Race and plenty of expectation surrounding the day. The Mercer River Race course covers 46 kilometres along the Waikato River, starting at Mercer, running downstream to the Elbow Water Ski Club in Pukekohe, and looping back upstream against the current. Since the event first ran in 2016, Mercer has built a reputation as an energetic and varied season-opener, and Messiah's 2016 course record of 17 minutes 54 seconds remains the benchmark every crew is measured against.
The programme had the feature Long Race scheduled for 10:30am, with a Powerboat Race at 12:30pm and a Support Ski Race at 1:30pm to follow. Thirteen entries in the Long Race pointed to a fiercely competitive morning on the water. What no entry list could account for, of course, was the weather.
A strong breeze funnelled across the Waikato River and kicked up short, steep chop that punished both boats and crews. Gusts made holding a clean line through the course genuinely difficult, and more than half the field was unable to reach the finish. Organisers worked hard to keep the programme moving, but as conditions continued to deteriorate, the Powerboat Race and Support Ski Race were both called off. Crews and officials reached the decision to regroup together, rather than push on into worsening water.
For the boats that completed the Long Race, simply finishing was a meaningful result. Agent Orange claimed the win in 40 minutes 51 seconds, with Logan Kennedy on skis, Nigel Kennedy at the wheel, and Hamish Kennedy in the observer role. The Player finished second in 46 minutes 11 seconds, with skiers Adam Forgacs and Jayk Dick, driver Russell Dick, and observer Graeme Briggs. Third place went to Ceminel in 48 minutes 30 seconds, crewed by skiers Nick Taylor and Michael Witherford, driver Cole Varley, and observer Rick McDermot.
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The NZWSRA summed up the mood on social media: "WHAT A DAY. Insane weather providing very challenging conditions today with over half the field not making it to the finish line and providing some great results!! Bring on our first circuit race in 3 weeks' time at Lake Karapiro."
The season calendar offers plenty still to come. Competition moves to Karapiro in early October, followed by Arapuni and Hamilton, before the Bridge to Bridge race on the Waikato River in November. The Bryce Newton 100 Miler at Blue Lake and the Wellington Nationals feature later in the season, with the Trans Tasman Challenge closing out proceedings in April 2026. Mercer delivered a rougher start than anyone had planned for, but the competitive spirit on show there sets a lively tone for the summer ahead.
