Motu 2 Motu Aitutaki

SPECTATOR BOATS FULL
See you all end of November

Kia Orana, If you haven't booked your spot on spectator boat yet, there are 4 spaces left. If you are wanting to follow the epic race and enjoy a lagoon cruise, register now. There will not be any separate prizegiving dinner tickets available.
Email [email protected] to secure you spots.
See you soon🙂

Kia Orana paddlers and spectators. Thank you for your interest in supporting the schools here on Aitutaki during your trip.
We won't be organising school visits so we don't disrupt classes during exam time.
Poppy will collect your donations and distribute after Motu2Motu.
Items requested:
Age appropriate for 5 years to 10 years.
Colouring books
Coloured pens, crayons and pencils.
Sticker books.
Pencil cases.
Erasers.
Activity books.
Hair ties, cheap sunglasses, spinning tops, small bouncing balls and tennis balls.
All donations will be gratefully accepted.
Please: no sweets for the children but Poppy won't say no🍫☕️🥰

Thank you so much, from Aitutaki primary schools
🥰

Kia Orana from sunny Aitutaki.

Of late we have had questions from a few people coming to Motu2Motu, or in fact Aitutaki, for the first time about how the two race days are run, well here you go, all you need know for Motu2Motu 2026.

Tuesday 1 December – Iron Race Day. Registration from 10am. Races from 11am, times to be confirmed.

There will be a merchandise tent so you can change your shirts if sizes are wrong. Plenty of shirts for sale. Cash only.

Today you get to race with your teammates in team colours.

There are 4 divisions, Open Women, Open Men, Master Women and Master Men. And just before you ask, no, there is no Senior Master Division or a Mixed Division.

We ask, if you have not done so already, send through your team Name and Division to Poppy [email protected] so we know how many teams we have in each division and can plan the race day accordingly.
We won’t require your team member names.

For those who do not have a team or those who are short a team member we do have a Lost Paddlers list and Poppy will put you in touch with one another, again please let Poppy know.

Thursday 3 December – Motu2Motu Race Day

This is why you are all here, to paddle in an iconic event on one of the most stunning race courses on the planet, our beautiful Aitutaki Lagoon.

When you registered you gave us your preferred seat position in the vaka and a back up position. This then allows us to place you into a mixed team of 12 paddlers selected from all divisions, ages and proficiency.

These teams will be selected prior to your arrival and a coloured wristband will be assigned to you at registration on Tuesday the 1st before the Iron races. That coloured band designates the team you will be paddling with.

The request for your preferred seat is to ensure each team has cover in all positions specifically having 2 steerers and 2 strokes in each vaka.

There are 7 mandatory change locations throughout the race, 3 deep water and 4 shallow/beach changes. This allows teams to strategize on how best to manage the team to suit those who can proficiently get in the vaka from deep water but also allowing those who cannot to participate in a full changeover race.

There is no change until you reach the first mandatory change location, after that you can change as many times as you wish on each leg, but teams must make changes at the designated mandatory change locations.

Each vaka will have a support boat with experienced drivers who have been part of this event since the start, so they know what they are doing and how best to keep you all safe in and out of the water. Each support boat will have a coloured flag corresponding with your team colour.
Your race vaka will also have a coloured flag just in case you forget which vaka is yours.

Along with your support boats, there will be a Lead Boat to guide you through the course, 2 Marshall/Safety Boats, and two Tail Boats on and around the course, again in the best interests of safety.
The course will be marked by coloured buoys to aide you through the race.

To many this race concept may seem rather foreign, to those who have been here before, you get it, and for those racing Motu2Motu for the first time, at the end you will get it too.

Thursday 3 December 6pm onwards
Prizegiving dinner and awesome island show at Resort Tava'e. No separate dinner tickets available due to seating arrangements.

Motu2Motu Aitutaki is about the joy of paddling and reminding you why to took up the sport in the first place, to enjoy time on the water in amazing locations around the world alongside longtime friends and making new ones.
It is an event that welcomes anyone wanting to participate in a changeover race that they may not have or will never have the chance to do on an international stage.

If you do have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact Poppy.

We look forward to welcoming you all to Motu2Motu Aitutaki 2026.

Kia Manuia

In support of the event, Resort Tava'e would be happy to offer an exclusive “Stay 7, Pay 5” promotion for paddlers and supporters travelling over for Motu2Motu between 28 November and 6 December. This will give participants the opportunity to enjoy a longer stay while they’re here for the event.

Guests can contact us directly and simply mention Motu2Motu when making their booking to access the promotion.

Flights and accommodation deals, email [email protected]. Quote Motu2Motu. Otherwise check Air Rarotonga website for available flights at advertised price. No special Motu2Motu deals.