Find out what upcoming events are happening in our Regional Parks.
Waimakariri River Regional Park
MAY/JUNE 2012
World Championship Mountain Bike Night Racing Series
When: May 2,9,16,23,30 and June 6,13,20
Where: McLeans Forest
Description: Blue Dog Events have been running mountain bike night races since the mid 1990’s. In 2006 the series was renamed the World Championship Night Racing Series in recognition of the competitiveness of riders racing in this series……for many years on the start line I’d say, ‘its not the World Champs, take it easy’. This usually fell on deaf ears and the riders would then take off like they were racing in a World Champ race... hence it has now become The World Champsionship MTB Night Racing Series. for more information please go the the Blue Dog Events Website.
South Island Beagle Club
When: Starting 3rd April, there after every second Sunday until 23rd September 2012
Where: Weedons -Ross Road at the river end.
Description: This is a regular hunt run by the club every second Sunday. If you would like to find out more about this please go to their website. Click Here
St Pauls School senior Syndicate Outdoor Education
When: 15 May 2012
Where: McLeans Forest
Description: This is part of St Pauls Senior Education programme.
Yaldhurst Girl Guiding District Open Day
When: 20 may 2012 9.30am-4.00pm
Where: McLeans Forest
Description: This is an open day to show the public what the Girl Guides do. There will be fun activities focusing on healthy issues, bike rides, zumba, orienteering, games and crafts. So if you want to get involved come along. Please note the event will not go ahead if it is wet.
If you would like to find out more information please contact Kimberley: russleyguides@hotmail.com
Guides runs on Wednesday evenings from 6 until 8pm at St Marks Church, Withells Road, Christchurch.
3 Race Jet Boat Series
When: 27 May 2012 7am - 4pm
Where: form SH1 Bridge to Gorge and back again
Description: This is a Jet Boat race that will start at the jet boat ramp at Kaiapoi Island and go up to the Gorge Bridge and back again. With the aim of being back at the Jet boat ramp about 4pm. If you have any queries about this event please contact the Canterbury Branch Jetboating New Zealand for more information.
2012 K9 Natural/ ACM Inc Winter Warm up.
When: Friday 25th- Sunday 27th May 2012
Where: Forest area on the west side of Chattertons road.
Description: This is between a 3-14km sled dog race for teams of 1-6 dogs. Run by the Alaskan Malamute Club Inc. If you want to know more about this event please contact Iain Salisbury iain@sleddogexpress.co.nz
JUNE
When: Sunday 24th June 2012
Where: McLeans Forest
Description: This is a mountain Bike Orienteering event run by the Peninsula and Plains Orienteers. The event starts at 12 noon. If you want to know more please go to their website. http://papo.org.nz/
JULY
South Island Beagle Club
When: Starting 3rd April, there after every second Sunday until 23rd September 2012
Where: Weedons -Ross Road at the river end.
Description: This is a regular hunt run by the club every second Sunday. If you would like to find out more about this please go to their website. Click Here
Jet Boating 50th Anniversary weekend
When: 2 and 3rd June 2012
Where: Kaiapoi Island
Description: There will be Jet boat racing and boat show. for more information go to the Jet Boating New Zealand website http://www.nzjetboating.com/
AUGUST
South Island Beagle Club
When: Starting 3rd April, there after every second Sunday until 23rd September 2012
Where: Weedons -Ross Road at the river end.
Description: This is a regular hunt run by the club every second Sunday. If you would like to find out more about this please go to their website. Click Here
SEPTEMBER
South Island Beagle Club
When: Starting 3rd April, there after every second Sunday until 23rd September 2012
Where: Weedons -Ross Road at the river end.
Description: This is a regular hunt run by the club every second Sunday. If you would like to find out more about this please go to their website. Click Here
OCTOBER
12 Hour Day/Nighter and 6 Hour Blast
When: 27 October 2012
Where: McLeans Island
Description: This exciting mountain bike relay event is one race you don't want to miss out on... it will be 12 and 6 Hours of non-stop mountain biking action! Kick back with other mountain bikers in a very social atmosphere. Race as hard as you want, be competitive, be relaxed but whatever, just come and enjoy some great mountain biking. You can choose from either the 12 Hour Day / Nighter or the 6 Hour Blast. You can enter either event in a team or for those wanting the ultimate challenge, as a Solo Rider."
for more information please go to the Blue Dog website.
Past Events:
Orienteers case out McLeans Island
Pam Whitla, planner for the recent orienteering event at McLeans Island, says Environment Canterbury was very supportive of the event. She particularly appreciated having parking along the road, as this allowed the runners to use a different map of the area.
McLeans Island is ideal orienteering terrain.
The Peninsula and Plains Orienteering Club chose McLeans Island for their follow up to the city council's event at Bottle Lake. They wanted a typical orienteering site close to the city boundaries to encourage newcomers to return.
Pam says, “We wanted a venue where mountain bike orienteering could also be held. We were very happy as McLeans Island courses give people the opportunity to practice skills and techniques they were introduced to at the Bottle Lake day."
"We chose an area where people could sit together afterwards under the trees and have their picnics together," adds Pam. The post-run picnic is a feature of orienteering with this club.
One of the newcomers was a Japanese homesite boy. He started out totally confused by the concept of orienteering. When asked if he could do orienteering back home, he replied, "no trees".
So, thank-you Environment Canterbury for providing, well, trees.
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