The start of the ninth annual James Moore-morial Race will make for a spectacular sight off Pilot Bay at 10am tomorrow.
A record number of 120 paddlers in single and double outrigger canoes, ocean skis and stand-up paddle boards will begin the epic journey around Mauao, past Moturiki Island and all the way to the finish at Maketu 33 kilometres away.
The Champions Cup race is normally raced in the opposite direction with a south-east wind but the predominant westerly winds have necessitated the change of direction for tomorrow's race.
James Moore drowned after coming off his canoe in stormy weather after almost completing the journey in July 2008. His paddling friend and race organiser Paul Roozendaal said the race had taken on even greater significance on the constantly growing waka ama calendar.
"This year the race is also a trial for the New Zealand team so the quality is even higher than previous years and we have a lot of newcomers as well. We have a few of Australia's long-distance national champs coming and one from Tahiti and Hawaii but no French guys this year."