COMPULSORY CHALLENGES

We’re excited to announce the first of two compulsory challenges for the 2026 NZHL XRACE — the Paper Plane Challenge!

This classic XRACE favourite returns in 2026 because it’s the ultimate school holiday activity. Simple, creative, and perfect for those inevitable rainy January days, this challenge brings families together through imagination, problem-solving, and a little friendly competition.

Stub-nose or pointy-nose?

The great debate is on! We encourage XRACE kids (and parents too) to jump into the “YouTube age” and explore the art of aerodynamics. Research different paper plane designs, follow online tutorials, and practise your folding techniques before race day.

At each event, we’ll be hosting an unofficial Paper Plane World Championship for that city. This challenge has a long XRACE history — and for good reason. A look back at our Christchurch event ten years ago shows it all: not just focused pilots, but parents and kids watching on, completely invested in every throw.

Paper planes have a special way of creating unforgettable moments. All it takes is a single piece of paper and a bit of imagination to spark laughter, excitement, and lasting family memories — sometimes even earning ultimate bragging rights!

The Paper Plane Challenge is one of our true premium XRACE experiences, and we can’t wait to bring the magic back for 2026.

One of the most important ingredients of XRACE is the ability to create authentic, shared family experiences. For 2026, we are using a fun video that focuses on the correct procedures around what to do if a person is having a heart attack.

The value in this challenge is not at your XRACE; it is in providing the whole family, older, secondary school–aged kids included, an opportunity to discuss CPR.

For younger children, we invite you to focus on the following steps around what to do if a person collapses and mum or dad aren’t around.

• Check you are not in any danger.
• Check the person over.
• Shout for help.
• Call 111 and follow the operators’ instructions.
• Explain what a DEFIB is and that you should always try and locate one.
  

For older children, we leave the decision up to the adults as to whether to discuss the hands-only CPR component of the challenge. Remember to add the DEFIB into the conversation.

For parents, we invite you to watch the video in its entirety and again, remember to add a DEFIB into the conversation.

Do not perform CPR on each other – this video is for educational purposes only.

For the younger children in the team: What do you do if someone collapses and your mum and dad aren’t around? You should:

1. Check you are not in any danger.
   
2. Then check them over.
   
3. Shout for help.
   
4. Then call 111 and follow the operators’ instructions.
   
5. Seek out a defib.
   

For the older children, we heartily invite you to discuss this video, not only around CPR but also:

1. Check you are not in any danger.
   
2. Then check them over.
   
3. Shout for help.
   
4. Then call 111 and follow the operators’ instructions.
   
5. Seek out a defib.
   

We encourage every family to discuss the steps around CPR and leave it up to each family.

We feel this challenge is one of our most important – we invite parents to not only discuss CPR with their children, but more importantly to teach children (and adults) the important steps around what to do if a person collapses from a potential heart attack.

This challenge serves as much as a refresher for parents as it does an opportunity to discuss the steps and procedures around CPR for the children in the team.

With any XRACE challenge, the final decision remains with the parents as to whether a team should complete this.