Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic November 9-11 2018

About

The OFFICIAL page of the Bridge Water Ski Classic. Staged on the Waikato River between Cambridge and Taupiri, based in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Story

The Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic is back for its 34th running and will be held on the weekend of 10-12th November 2017. This year, Yamaha and Rollo’s Marine will once again be on board as naming rights sponsors, which is fantastic for the support of the event. The racing takes place in many forms over the weekend and is held on the Waikato River and is the premier event of the year for water ski racers in New Zealand.

The event has seven components, the pinnacle of which is the Long Race that is an 82km flat out sprint, against the clock from Cambridge to Taupiri and back to Hamilton. This race attracts the best ski racers from North and South Islands as well as plenty of Australians from across the ditch.

Warlord will be back, hoping to claim its 13th Bridge to Bridge title but will be facing some strong competition from an impressive line up of open class boats, including last year’s winner Messiah. Watch this space.

The Bridge to Bridge organising committee are extremely excited about the prospects of the race this year and believe this will be the biggest and best Bridge to Bridge ever, and it is all thanks to our amazing group of sponsors and our dedicated and enthusiastic competitors.

The event starts on Friday night at Garden Place, Central Hamilton with the DMW Trailers Trojan Show & Shine. This runs from 5pm until 7:30pm and is a static display of the hottest powerboats that will be competing in the event. Come check out the horsepower, the airbrushing, the shiny bits and the entertainment.

On Saturday morning we have the first ski race of the weekend when the Novice, Masters and Sub Juniors hit the water running from Hamilton to Taupiri and return.

While the competitors in the first race are getting ready to return to Hamilton, a ski biscuit race will take place from Days Park to Grantham Street. This is the first time a race of this type has been part of the programme, and it’s sure to be a huge amount of fun. Competitors of any age, behind any boat will have equal chances of success.

The next event of the weekend is the Family, Social & 60 MPH Class Event which is a 20km ski on a slalom ski or wakeboard from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton. This is a race that is long enough to be challenging, but short enough for everyone to give it a go. Any type of boat can be used for this event with a range of classes. So if you know how to ski, you should be giving this race a go. Get training now! You will also get a free entry to the Poker Run (see below).

Saturday afternoon brings the Time Trial for the Long Race, which is the crowds first opportunity to see the big boys in action and gives the competitors a chance to gain top seeding for Sunday’s main event. This runs from Hamilton to Ngaruawahia and return.

The last event on Saturday afternoon is the Poker Run, an event that can be enjoyed by any boat owner and involves a fun cruise up the river with stops along the way to collect cards which are submitted as a poker hand. This is not a race as the last boat to the finish line could end taking the $500 cash prize away. There are plenty of spot prizes just for turning up and putting the boat in the water – and just remember that boat could be anything from an aluminum dingy to the Queen Mary.

Sunday morning brings the Powerboat Sprints, Thundercats and Jetskis. We would also like to see as many the powerboaters, offshore, circuit, jet boats, tunnel boats etc, etc to come and compete in the Powerboat Sprints that take place from Hamilton to Ngaruawahia and return on the Sunday of the event. The more the merrier in this field and again there will be some very fast and competitive racing.

Last but not least is the main event kicking off at 1pm Sunday. The start at Cambridge (and plenty of other action) will be broadcast to big screens at Grantham Street boat ramp and the Ann Street Reserve. You’re going to hear these boats long before you see them as they travel at speeds in of 100MPH (160 KPH).

To keep you entertained, there will also be plenty of other action on and off the water.

Mission

To promote Water Ski Racing to the general public by staging an annual high profile event on the Waikato River.

Products

Classes for everyone!
From the Poker Run to the Long Race there is a class to suit you! There are even classes for JetSkis, Thundercats, Powerboats, etc.