This year we plan to give all competitors a nice Trans Taupo event branded 300 series (winter weight) Merino Icebreaker Beanie; your choice of a Burger Fuel Burger or Hell Pizza voucher; Hammer Nutrition HEED Sachets; M's Power Cookies; and a NZ Kayak Magazine; amongst other things in race packs.

In addition to the hot drink facility and Mrs. Gellatly's famous Sesame Oaty biscuits at the finish, we have arranged for Heidie from ForteBody Reconditioning to provide her massage service to those in need; and competitor access to hot showers within the Taupo Yacht Club.

Since our last posting/news, we have a had a few new Sponsors come onboard with great prizes – one in particular were going to keep secret but love to give away to a deserving competitor.

We have revised the entry fee pricing structure a little and have brought down the cost for tri and quad rovers/paddlers. The new entry fee will be $75.00 per rower/paddler (to align with the multi seat W6 Waka Ama craft paddler entry fee).

We have completed all checkpoint / team transition diagrams and they are now up on the event webpage for your viewing.

In addition to this we now have a 'Sponsors Offers' PDF file on the event webpage, where 2009 entrants can benefit from great discounts on offer from our sponsors.

Also - so we do our best to provide an enjoyable breeze/wind at your back paddle for entrants, we have the option of turning the event around or if forced running an alternative course dependant on the weather and forecast prevailing wind, with the full backing and support of the local Coast Guard. The registration and briefing times and venue will remain unchanged.

We now have 48 confirmed craft starting (62 competitors in total). Ocean rowers have now joined the mix of surf ski, sea kayak and waka ama craft, so we now have a complete flotilla of the 4 different types of vessels leaving the start line in Tokaanu Bay.

Our goal is 100 craft and 150 competitors, and with $20,000.00+ in goodies, prize money and spot prizes up for grabs there is a good chance you'll go home with a good bounty.

There is still time to get your entry in before the late entry fee kicks in on Monday 23rd March. Otherwise late entries will be accepted at registration between 2:30-6:30pm at the Tokaanu Te Wharewaka Water Sports Complex on Friday 27th March.

We'd love to see you at the event, and can assure you it is once again shaping up to be an event not to be missed.

If your keen to pick up your paddle/oars and knock the crossing off or better your time, visit www.transtaupo.co.nz to view the 2008 results, report, photos/ video coverage and competitor feedback; plus all the 2009 event info and entry to satisfy the urge.

... Neil & Kat