Challenge Wanaka launches volunteer drive with free training

Challenge Wanaka has launched a campaign to recruit hundreds of volunteers needed for its annual triathlon festival between 15-18 January by offering free training in first aid and traffic management.

Registration for the Reservations and Accommodation Wanaka Volunteer Crew is underway with many long-time supporters already signed up again for the 2014 event. Hundreds more roles still need to be allocated including many where the specific skills covered in the training sessions are invaluable.

The courses available are Traffic Controller (NZTA Transit Level 1) from 12.30-6pm on Saturday 30 November and Workplace First Aid from 8.30am-5.30pm on Saturday 7 December, both in Wanaka.

Challenge Wanaka volunteer manager, Jo Guest confirmed the Challenge Wanaka Sports Trust is covering all course costs with funding from Central Lakes Trust.

“Challenge Wanaka itself is a non-profit organisation run year-round by a volunteer board of trustees and we’re very grateful for Central Lakes Trust’s ongoing support,” she said.

“Learning new skills is one of the key benefits of volunteering. By providing these free training courses the Challenge Wanaka Sports Trust is helping achieve one of its aims to deliver an event to the benefit of the local community. It is also investing in the region’s event infrastructure by developing the pool of local knowledge.”

The Challenge Wanaka Triathlon Festival requires more than 600 volunteers for a wide range of roles from setting up the start/finish infrastructure to assisting athlete registration, manning aid stations and collecting rubbish. There is a specific need for volunteers to cover both the week leading up to the race on Saturday 18 January and the days after it.

Registration to become a volunteer is now open the Challenge Wanaka website. All volunteers receive a free volunteer T-shirt and pack plus a ticket to the Accommodation & Reservations Wanaka Volunteers’ Party on Sunday January 19.

For further information on volunteering at Challenge Wanaka or to register for the free training sessions please email volunteer manager, Jo Guest at volunteer@challenge-wanaka.com or visit www.challenge-wanaka.com.

Challenge Wanaka attracts in excess of 2,000 athletes over a multi-day celebration of sport involving all ages and abilities. The flagship event, Challenge Wanaka long distance triathlon (3.8km/180km/42.2km) is part of the renowned Challenge Family global series of triathlons which features 22 races in 14 countries, including the world’s largest long distance triathlon, Challenge Roth in Germany.