Nine events spread across New Zealand will keep paddlers on the water this winter, with the 2026 Paddler Winter Series dates now confirmed.
The club-run series draws together paddlers from a wide range of disciplines including K1, oceanski and surfski, multisport boats, c-boats, waka ama, and standup paddleboards. Open to all ages.
The series kicks off on 1 August at Waitara Kayak Club in Taranaki, before heading to Auckland's North Shore Canoe Club a week later. Arawa Canoe Club in Christchurch hosts on 9 August, then it's back north to Waitemata Canoe Club on 16 August. That same weekend, Nelson Surfski Club runs their event in Motueka.
Gisborne's Poverty Bay Kayak Club hosts on 22 August, followed by Karapiro Kayak Club in Cambridge on the 23rd. The Cambridge to Hamilton River Race takes the series into September on the 13th.
Everything wraps up at Lake Karapiro on 27 September, with the NZ 10km Champs serving as the series finale and carrying bonus points for those chasing the overall standings.
Along with the racing, the series is built around keeping paddlers active and connected over winter, encouraging inter-club and inter-regional relationships, and giving paddlers at all levels a chance to compete and have fun.
