SPLISH Splash: Riders blast through the river at a previous Waikawau Whopper trail ride. PHOTO: TRACEY DAVIS
The four big motocross events in the King Country are: the Mighty Mōkau, Āria, Waikawau Whopper and Waitanguru trail rides.
Ayla Calvert-Strachan, an organiser of the Waikawau ride, said 2023 was the event’s 11th year. They expect around 500 riders, half of them camping.
“The main thing for us is just getting people out there enjoying the bikes and the place, really. People love it because it’s out in the sticks, it’s really pretty, no cellphone coverage, it’s a good weekend away.”
There were three main tracks, Ayla said.
“The first one’s just open farmland. The medium loop has a few trips around our native bush block. Everybody loves those ones. And then the big loop on the Sunday; it’s about 45 kilometres, so hard work. It goes up on our other part of the farm with all the steeper farm tracks. So, you get quite high up and it’s a pretty view; you can see the sea.”
It’s a family friendly event, with riders as young as five years old.
The organisers will take kids and newer female riders out on the tracks before the gates open to help them build confidence.
“Last year … we probably had about 20 kids and about 15 ladies. This year there’s a lot more interest, which I think is cool. When I first started doing trail rides, being one of the few females out there, it can be a bit intimidating.”
The Waikawau Whopper Trail Ride will be at 570 Te Marama Rd, Marokopa on January 28 and 29.
Other rides The Mighty Mōkau trail ride is on February 19 at Piripiri Station, Taumatamaire Station and the McDavitt farm. Organisers Mark and Wendy Smyth offer two loops, a novice track and a free kids’ track.
Āria School’s Two-Day Trail Ride – the school’s fundraiser – is on February 25 and 26 at St Helen’s Domain, Aria.
The Waitanguru Trail ride is on Sunday, March 26 at Maire Rd, Waitanguru.
