WAKE UP THE GORGE (WUTG) 2024!

Wake Up The Gorge is the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club's (VCKC) annual weekend of racing for OC6 Outrigger canoes and Small Boats. It kicks off the racing season for many of the Victoria and area paddling clubs who use the Gorge Waterway for racing.

The 2024 WUTG will be held on April 6-7 (OC6 on the 6th and small boats on the 7th), boats will launch at the Victoria Canoe & Kayak Club, 355 Gorge Rd. W. Victoria.

TIME: Clubhouse opens 8 AM, Races start 9AM

OBJECTIVES: To unite the Outrigger and Paddling community through Racing, Competition and Friendship.

REGISTRATION
Online registration for the OC6 (Saturday) race can be found through a contact link on the website. Registration for Small Boats remains open until April 7th race day.
More information on registration, fees, waivers, and memberships can be found on the website. Entry fee for OC6 is $150 for adult and $75 for Junior and Small Boat Category is $25 for one or more races.

IMPORTANT - Insurance requires that all participants must be Canadian Outrigger Racing Association (CORA) members. Membership is available via the CORA website. An annual membership ($30 for adults and $10 for juniors) is valid for all races in the current year. Participants must register with CORA in advance of the race and proof of CORA membership must be shown at the onsite registration desk.

SATURDAY, April 6th - OC6 Races

OC6 races start at 9 AM.

Two heats of 1000 meters in two lanes around buoy at 500 Meters (one turn). Each team's time total will result in awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the following categories.

Juniors - paddlers who are under the age of 18 at the time of WUTG and who will not turn 19 in 2024.
Categories: Women, Men, Mixed and Junior
Divisions of:
Open (any age)
Age 40-49
Age 50+ (Paddlers who are at least 50 years of age in 2024, or who will turn 50 within this calendar year)

SUNDAY, April 7th - Small Boat Races

The Race Director will determine which events to hold based on registrations and interest (minimum of one competitor per category). Race categories: Junior, Adult Men, Adult Women, Mixed and Open (20-39) plus Senior Women, Senior Men, Senior Mixed - age groupings by decade from 40+. Small boats include: (Marathon Canoe (MC1/MC2), Outrigger Canoe (OC 1/OC2), K1, Surfski and Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP).

Small Boat Races - Morning - race start 9 AM
This race is for OC1, OC2, (all open water small boats). The course is approx. 10km and if the currents allow the racecourse will start at VCKC out and under Tillicum Bridge to West Bay Marine and returning to VCKC. (Map is available on the website).

If the currents under Tillicum Bridge makes this impossible, then the race will take place in the Gorge Waterway and Portage Inlet. (two loops of a 5.0 km course). Awards to be presented at the clubhouse after the race.

Marathon race (MC1) - Race starts after lunch (open to all paddlers who wish to race in protected water).
Marathon race (MC2) - Race starts after rest period and after the singles race.

The afternoon racecourse will be approximately 10 km in the Gorge Waterway and Portage Inlet, there will be buoy turns (two loops of a 5.0 km course). Awards will be presented at the clubhouse following the race.

*there will be a mandatory race briefing for both races 15 minutes prior to racing.

Food will be available for all competitors.

WATCHING AND CHEERING IS FREE!
Plenty of places along either side of the beautiful Gorge Waterway to watch this event and cheer on the competitors, bring a lawn chair and a picnic lunch.