Hipster Downhill Challenge is an opportunity for kids aged 6 to 12 years to participate in a fun and non-competitive race environment.

Hipster Downhill Challenge is a participation Downhill Event for children born between 2014 to 2020. Ages for Kidsworx Events will be recorded as age at 31st December 2026.

Be a part of the action in the timed, non-competitive Hipster Downhill event on the Skyline Rotorua Gravity Park’s most popular trail. Kids from 6-12 years are invited to take the gondola to the top of the mountain and drop into the chiseled berms of this flowy, enduro-style run, which finishes in the heart of the action. Hipster is long enough to be a true test of skill and endurance.

Parents are permitted to ride in the gondola with the participating child, however riding the course is not permitted.

Please note: IF YOU ENTER THE HIPSTER DOWNHILL CHALLENGE PARTICIPATION EVENT YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY COMPETITIVE RACE EVENTS

DATE: 15th March 2026

TIME: 12:30pm – 3:30pm

LOCATION: Skyline Rotorua

CHECK IN: TBD

Please note: Due to the complexities of the number of events taking place and the reliance on weather, the schedule is subject to change.

CATEGORIES:
Age 6-12 Boys (Born 2014 to 2020).
Age 6-12 Girls (Born 2014 to 2020).

Please note: proof of birth may be requested by race officials.

PRIZES: Spot Prizes will be awarded.

COURSE INFORMATION: Hipster Downhill is a Participation based event on a 1.2km long, grade 3 track with no features. Adults may ride in the gondola with the participating child, however riding the course is not permitted.

CANCELLATION POLICY

All entry fees, are fully refundable for any reason up to 30 days prior to the official registration closing date.

All entry fees, are eligible for a 50% refund for any reason, up to the official registration closing date.

All entry fees are non-refundable or transferable after the registration deadline of Sunday 8th March 2026 at 11:59pm (even in the case of injury or mechanical problems). After this deadline, no refunds will be issued except where required by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or other applicable law.

If the Event is cancelled in full and not rescheduled, you may be entitled to a refund or credit in accordance with applicable law.

Refund requests must be received in writing to nzathletes@crankworx.com.

Event Information

PRACTICE: Hipster will be open throughout the Crankworx festival for the kids to practice on. All riders wishing to ride the trails outside of the scheduled event time will require a Skyline Rotorua Mountain Bike Park pass. All riders will receive a minimum of one practice run on event day.

TIMED RUN: All riders will receive a minimum of one timed run, with pre-set intervals between each rider. If you are not there in time you may not get to complete your run.

The corral area is at the top of the Gondola and will be sign posted.  It takes approximately 8-10 minutes to get up the Gondola, without queues, so allow yourself a little time to get there.

• All Bikes must be fit-for-purpose and in good working condition.
• All bikes must have an operational front and rear brake. (No BMX Bikes)
• By New Zealand law, all riders must have an Aus/NZ approved helmet on, at all times when riding a bike, with the chin strap done up. Failure to wear a helmet may result in a DQ.
• Elbow and knee protection is highly recommended.
• Back protection and a full-face helmet are optional (but recommended).
• There is no practice allowed directly prior to this event.
• Riders are to self-load on to the gondola in an orderly fashion.
• Although the riders are timed, there is no official winner as this is a Participation Event.
• There will be NO protest heard for this event.

Please note: All participants and spectating family members must have a general admission ticket into Crankworx Rotorua.

Skyline Rotorua Mountain Bike Park will be open over the week of Crankworx Rotorua. Bike Park schedule to be confirmed. All riders wishing to ride the trails will require a Skyline Rotorua Mountain Bike Park pass.