Great to see this awesome event is on again. Nice work Tim in pulling it all together.
Have raced twice in the past, with my partner volunteering for the 2015 event as beach support. Now that she kites, we were really hoping to do the race together. No chance we would have been competitive, but just a great thing to do.
Excitedly, jumped onto the site to register, then looked at the costs....damn

Race entrance fee: $165 per person (Requirement to be a member of Kiteboarding Australia to enter)
KA membership: $162.50 per person (mandatory for entry)
For two of us to enter (as we are not currently KA members) total cost is $655. Sadly, we just can't justify this for a 30-40 minute crossing, even if we do get KA membership for a year and a trip to Rotto. Looks like we'll be out at the local instead.
Good luck to those that get in, hope you get a cranking 20+ for the race.