Billy Webb Challenge 2021

Whanganui’s proud rowing history comes to life in this legendary long distance single sculling race!

The ‘Billy Webb’ commemorates New Zealand’s first professional single sculling world champion - William ‘Billy’ Webb’s defence of his World Title on the Whanganui River in 1908, before 25,000 spectators.

The only public sports event held in the Whanganui region that as hosted Olympic and World Champions, this annual event brings a buzz and excitement to the banks of the Whanganui river, only ever seen in this race.

A race to remember:
This 5km feature race takes place on New Zealand’s longest navigable river - Te awa o Whanganui, a beautiful course this is a memorable, must do experience for all water sport enthusiasts.

Rowing NZ endorse the race as a platform for NZ elite athletes to promote and encourage rowing in provincial area like Whanganui - this is where many of our World and Olympic Champs journey to the world stage began!

Open entry:
The ‘Billy Webb’ is open to rowers of any age or experience, giving any rower the opportunity to race!

Along with cash prizes, the winners of the Men’s and Women’s Open have their names engraved alongside previous winners on the ‘Greg Hall’ glass waka trophy (men) and the ‘Katie Brown’ glass whisper trophy (women).

Event details:
Held on Sunday 24th of January 2021, the Billy Webb Challenge is a headlining event of Bayleys Whanganui Vintage Weekend, one of the largest festivals in the region. Visitors from all over the country come to Whanganui to enjoy a packed programme of events and attractions that celebrate this humming place, and they love nothing more than to start their Sunday off on the banks of the Whanganui River, watching this prestigious race.

Prizegiving is held at 12.30pm on the stage of the Riverside Shindig, which kicks off straight after with live music, dancing, a pop-up bar, food trucks and family fun all afternoon.

Together, these events make for a great day out for locals and visitors on the banks of the Whanganui River.

Spectators and Supporters are welcome to come and watch the live racing action from 10.30am on Sunday 24th January 2021.

Entry Info
The ‘Billy Webb’ is open to rowers of any age or experience, giving any rower the opportunity to race!
The Categories are:
- Single
- Coxless Pair
- Double Scull
- Coxed Four
- Coxless Four
- Coxed Quad
- Coxless Quad

The cost to enter is $20 per single and $40 per pair/double/four. Entries close on Wednesday 20 January 2021. Trophies and cash prizes up for grabs!

Event Timeline:
10:00am Race Briefing, at the starting point
10:45am - Boats on Water
11:15am - Race Begins
11:55am - All Boats Off Water
12:30pm - Prizegiving, on stage at the Riverside Shindig

All competitors must attend the Race Briefing and the Prizegiving.

Course Details:
The race starts and finishes adjacent to the silver ball sculpture on Moutoa Quay, less than 100 meters from the Paddle Steamer Waimarie launch area.

From the starting point, competitors race upstream towards and through the Railway Bridge (this is the second bridge as firstly, they will pass under the Dublin Street Bridge).

Immediately through the Railway Bridge, competitors must turn and race downstream to the finishing point.

Spectators and supporters line the riverbank and both bridges to watch the spectacle.