04 February 2021, 5:00 PM
With last year’s event cancelled due to Covid-19, Wanaka Trail Ride organisers and riders are champing at the bit for the upcoming 2021 event.
This year’s trail ride will take place on Saturday March 27 and registrations are now open for the all-ages and all-abilities event, which offers riders (on trail bikes, quad bikes and peewees) exclusive access to private high country farmland at Deep Creek, Long Gully and Lindis Peak.
In order to pull the event off each year, organisers rely on “an army of volunteers” who donate their time and expertise, and they are currently looking for more volunteers, Wanaka Trail Ride’s volunteer coordinator Rachel Allibone said.
“Everyone involved is a volunteer, from the organising crew to those in the catering tent. Without them, this event would not happen,” Rachel said. “And now we’re on the hunt for more helpers.”
Young riders get ready to hit the trails at Wanaka Trail Ride. PHOTO: Tonia Kraakman Digital Marketing & Photography
Wanaka Trail Ride is a joint fundraiser for Wanaka Primary School and Montessori Children’s House Wanaka and more than $140,000 has been raised over the last five years, enabling the two schools to improve facilities and access new learning resources.
Tarras School also steps in to run parking on the day to raise funds for its school and one dollar per entry is donated to the local Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association (RSA).
“We’ve been working behind the scenes for months to put together the course and the health and safety procedures,” Rachel said. “We’re now looking to fill the remaining roles and offer locals the chance to see a stunning location not typically accessible to the public.”
“Not all roles require technical riding skills. So we encourage anyone interested in a fun day out to check out our website. Roles include catering, marshalling and track breakdown.”
Find more information see Wanaka Trail Ride 2021