FAQ
If you cannot see your enquiry in the list below, please feel free to contact us via; [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help.
General FAQ's
What are the entry fee prices and when do they change?
2024 Huub Swim Karapiro Entry Fees
*All entry fees exclude a $4.00 online booking fee
Early Bird Entry Fees (ends midnight 30th September 2023)
Huub Swim Karapiro
1km - $40.00
1.9km - $45.00
3.8km - $50.00
Standard Entry Fees (1st October 2023 - midnight 24th March 2024)
Huub Swim Karapiro
1km - $45.00
1.9km - $50.00
3.8km - $55.00
Late Entry Fees (25th March - 9am 10th April 2024 and during race weekend)
Huub Swim Karapiro
1km - $50.00
1.9km - $55.00
3.8km - $60.00
What distances are there for each event?
We offer the opportunity for you participate in one of numerous different distances per discipline. Below is a summary of the distances per discipline.
Swim – 1km, 1.9km, 3.8km.
Bike – 50km, 90km, 180km.
Run – 5km, 10.5km, 21.1km, 42.2km
Quarter LCW – 1km Swim, 50km Bike, 10.5km Run
Half LCW – 1.9km Swim, 90km Bike, 21.1km Run
Full LCW – 3.8km Swim, 180km Bike, 42.2km Run
When and where is Long Course Weekend New Zealand?
Long Course Weekend New Zealand is from 12th - 14th April 2024 in and around Karāpiro. Registration will be based at the Sir Don Rowlands Centre at the Mighty River Doman, 601 Maungatautari Road, Leamington, Karāpiro.
Is there a kids event?
We encourage all our littlest LCW athletes to join their parent/s, older siblings or everyday hero by joining in on the 'Run with a Loved One". Run with a Loved One allows the littlest LCW athletes to join their everyday hero for the final 200m of the run day to run down the finish chute together and cross the finish line.
We know families are so important when you're training for your chosen goal and often the kids are out there cheering you on, riding their bike alongside you or hitting the trails - therefore, they deserve their finish line moment as well.
Besides Run with a Loved One, we also encourage younger participants to sign up for either the Kids' 2.5km fun run (U14 age limit) or the 5km distance (10 years+) within the Karāpiro Marathon event held on Sunday 14th April 2024, the final day of the Long Course Weekend New Zealand.
How do I know for sure that I am registered?
If all went well, you should receive a confirmation email and e-ticket / invoice at the email address you provided. Also check your spam/junk just in case.
If you can’t see your entries, contact us at [email protected]
Can I register for someone else?
You can enter fellow family members, as long as you provide all of their correct personal details and take full responsibility for allocating their entry types.
Can I pick up someone else’s registration
For safety and security reasons you must check in at registration yourself. This avoids mix-ups with announcements, emergency contact information on the reverse of the race number, finisher photos and race timing.
When will the event information pack be available?
Everything you need to know about the Long Course Weekend will be communicated two days before the event via e-mail (Wednesday 10th April 2024).
This will include finalised event timings.
It is important to carefully read through this information as details may be different to those on the website. We recommend using the online Event Pack as a guide, as an email will be sent to the email address you registered with notifying you of final details and possible amendments.
2024 Final Competitor Notes
HUUB Swim Karapiro HERE
When will I receive my timing chip and BIB number?
This will be provided to you at registration in Karāpiro at the Sir Don Rowland Centre. Placement of bib numbers and timing transponders will be explained in your event pack before the event day.
Do I have to participate all three days?
No. Long Course Weekend offers a series of races over the course of three days. You can enter for just one discipline, multiple disciplines, or the entire Long Course Weekend options (Quarter, Half and Full). Totally up to you!
Can I use an mp3 player or similar device?
No, we do not allow participants to use these devices during any of the races. It is important that you stay fully alert and know what is happening around you as the courses are on public roads/areas.
Do I have to enter the same distance lengths if entering multiple disciplines eg. short swim (1km), short bike (50km), short run (5km)?
No, you can enter in whatever distance you want, all being the same or different ranking in their disciplines.
Will there be road closures during the bike and run days?
The health and safety of competitors is our top priority. There will be traffic management in place for the bike and run days, but participants must be aware of traffic around them as the roads are not fully closed to the public and residents of the area. If this information changes, we will advise.
Where is the best place to park?
Parking is available throughout the main venue of the Mighty River Domain with plenty of grassed areas to park on. Please enter in Gate 2 and follow parking signs/warden’s directions. If parking is full on site, there are nearby areas which will be safe for you to leave your car.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the closure of the dam, there will be NO vehicle access to the venue via the dam if coming from a southern direction. You will need to go via Cambridge, so allow an extra 20mins to get there
What is the postponement date for the LCW NZ event?
There is no postponement date for LCW NZ 2024.
Swim FAQs
What stroke can I do?
We only allow front facing strokes during the course. If you are on your back, swim safety will assume you’re in trouble and take you out of the water.
Is the water safe to swim in?
Yes it is safe to swim in. The water is monitored for 12 weeks over the summer period (beginning of December to end of February) and data from the past three monitored bathing seasons shows that the overall recreation risk here is low. The lake is a very popular location and is used extensively throughout the year, with extensive use over summer for water sports such as water-skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, rowing and swimming. It is the chosen swim training location for New Zealand’s elite triathletes. You can read more here.
NOTES ABOUT THE RIVER CLAM OUTBREAK IN NEW ZEALAND:
In terms of the biosecurity for the event, we are following MPI's CHECK CLEAN DRY guidelines specifically for swimmers and their wetsuits. This applies to all water equipment, whenever anyone is moving between rivers and lakes, not just during major events. These cleaning protocols are particularly important for stopping the spread of the juvenile clams (and other unwanted invasives) as they are invisible to the naked eye and have a mucus thread which can attach to wetsuits and other water equipment. These clams are extremely invasive and it only takes the introduction of 1 individual (as they can breed asexually) to a new lake or river to establish a new breeding population.
We require all of the competitors to abide by the following cleaning procedures:
Before arrival: If wetsuits have been used outside of Lake Karapiro in the past 30 days, these need to be submerged in hot water (55 degrees) for 5 mins AND fully dried for 2 days before arriving, alternatively overnight freezing is an option too. This is to prevent pests from arriving at Lake Karapiro that are not already present eg, Didymo.
Post event: All of the wetsuits need to be submerged in hot water (55 degrees) for 5 mins and dried for 2 days before they are able to be used again, alternatively overnight freezing is an option too. This applies even if the wetsuits will next be used in salt water as the clams can survive in this environment. This protocol is to prevent the spread of invasive pests to other water bodies by the competitors.
Unfortunately there is no access to large quantities of hot water at the domain so these hot water cleaning procedures will have to take place at home. Detergent is also ineffective against clams and bleach will likely damage the wetsuits.
What can I wear?
A wetsuit is not mandatory but is advised for all swim distances. If you do wear a wetsuit, it must NOT cover the hands and feet and must be no thicker than 5mm. Goggles are necessary in all open water swims. Polarised goggles are recommended to reduce glare and increase visual acuity. It may also be worth bringing a clear-lensed pair if conditions are less than ideal. Swim Caps will be issued by Event Promotions for Huub Swim Karapiro / Long Course Weekend New Zealand and must be worn on the day. If you wish to wear two swim caps, the issues swim cap MUST be worn on top. Timing transponders will be provided during registration and correct placement will be informed in your event pack and when collected at registration. Gloves and booties cannot be worn without a medical certificate and in no instances are webbed gloves or snorkels allowed.
Is a wetsuit mandatory?
A wetsuit is not mandatory but is advised for all swim distances. If you do wear a wetsuit, it must NOT cover the hands and feet and must be no thicker than 5mm.
What safety measures are in place?
There will be a fully qualified and professional swim safety team present in the water, with kayaks to ensure a quick response to any situation. The water safety team will be in the water from half an hour before the event begins up until the last athlete exits the water. This allows for acclimatisation before the race starts.
Is there a cut-off time?
Athletes will have 1:00:00 hours from the start time to complete the first lap of the 3.8km swim course. For safety reasons, no athlete can begin a new lap of the course after 5:00pm.
