Time to craft a Whanganui River Challenge 2016 entry

ALL IN: Action from the 2015 Whanganui River Challenge.PHOTO/JONO GRIBBLE

Organisers of the seventh annual Whanganui River Challenge this October are encouraging entrants to get a little practice in while also going in the draw for prizes by taking part in the monthly racing leading up to spring.

The river challenge is run by the Whanganui Kayak Club with support from Sport Whanganui, and this year they have teamed up with the Wanganui Rowing Association which runs the popular Winter Series.

The Winter Series - which is for all kinds of rowboats, kayaks and waka due to the placings being decided on the percentage of prognostic times - is run on the second Sunday of every month from May to October.

"Anyone who enters four of these races, plus one of the long Whanganui River Challenge races on Sunday, October 30, will go into the draw to win an awesome prize pack," said challenge event director Aaron Cox.

"At just $2 a seat for the Winter Series, why wouldn't you?"

The second event for the Winter Series is next Sunday, June 12.

The river challenge will be held on October 29-30, with the Saturday being the 200m Olympic distance sprints - which, like the Winter Series, can be entered by six-person waka ama, four-person flat water kayaks, and quad rowers, along with surf lifesaving canoes and surf boats.

There are also the three "Plastic Funtastic" races, which are open to families and corporate teams.

Sunday is the big one - the feature 13km river challenge under four bridges down the river, as well as a 4km, two-bridge race for all man-powered craft and the new 10km big boat and small boat races.

The River Challenge also includes a "Cash 4 Clubs" competition - where all clubs accumulate points for every entry on the weekend and every placing in a race.

The club with the most points at the end of the events will pick up a cash prize.

Entries are now open.

Visit www.whanganuiriverchallenge.com or contact Amie Simpson, Sport Whanganui's multisport development officer, at Sport Whanganui or via email at Amie@sportwhanganui.co.nz