Lake Tekapo Boat Marathon

The 2025 Lake Tekapo Boat Marathon

The New Zealand Boat Marathon Commission (NZBMC) 2025 season has already delivered a thrilling showcase of high-speed competition, precision handling, and tight finishes across the South Island, with four rounds and six races now completed. As attention turns to Lake Tekapo for Round 6 on 21 June, competitors and spectators alike are preparing for what’s always one of the most scenic and unique venues on the calendar.

Round 6 at Lake Tekapo

Set against the striking turquoise waters and snow-draped Southern Alps, Lake Tekapo is one of the most visually spectacular race sites in the NZBMC series. A regular fixture on the calendar, this event is hosted by the Milton Boat Club and brings together a wide range of classes—from 90hp F class boats to the 300hp A class rockets. Races at Tekapo typically include a 60km course for E and F classes, 80km for C and D classes, and a 100km test for the top-tier A and B divisions.

Racers compete in a rolling start format, creating dramatic head-to-head action across the lake’s vast expanse. The surrounding Tekapo township and iconic Church of the Good Shepherd provide a postcard-perfect backdrop, while the clear air of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve ensures Tekapo is just as captivating after the sun goes down.