Canterbury Powerlifting Association

Welcome to the official website of the Canterbury Powerlifting Association (CPA). The CPA is affliated to the New Zealand Powerlifting Federation (NZPF) and the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF)

Our goal is to develop and promote high-standard and enjoyable drug-free powerlifting competitions throughout the Canterbury, Nelson and West Coast regions.

If you are interested in competing in powerlifting, you've come to the right place! Canterbury Powerlifting Association (CPA) is an affiliate of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). The IPF is a drug tested federation which was founded in 1972. For more of the history of the sport and federation, click here.

Unless you are a novice lifter, you are required to be registered with CPA and NZPF to compete in the competitions run by CPA.

CPA run at least 3 events throughout the year and often host national events. The main 3 that are run each year by CPA are:

1) Our club & novice meet: usually in Febuary. This competition is ideal for people who have never competed before. It's a great opportunity to experience the calls/rules, and have a bit of fun! No soft suit is necessary for novices however if you use equipment (belt, wrist wraps, knee sleeves) these must be IPF approved.

2) Canterbury Provincials: usually in April. This competition can qualify the lifter to compete at Nationals. Novices may lift here if they wish, however it's not recommended if you've never experienced a competition before.

3) Canterbury Raw Cup: usually in November. A competition designed for both novice and experienced lifters and the last CPA meet of the year!

Every second year we also host South Islands. We share this responsibility with Southern Powerlifting.

Lifters seeking to qualify for the National Championships must reach the qualifying total for their age and weight class in an NZPF sanctioned competition within 12 months prior (this does not include the previous year's Nationals). They must also be a full financial member at the time of qualifying.Qualifying totals can be found on the NZ powerlifting website.

There are Male and Female divisons, split into the following age and weight categories:

Age:

Sub-junior: 14 - 18 years

Junior: 18 - 23 years

Open: 23 - 39 years

Masters 1: 40 - 49 years

Masters 2: 50 - 59 years

Masters 3: 60 - 69 years

Masters 4: 70+ years

Weight class:

Men: up to 53kg (Sub-Junior/Junior), 59kg, 66kg, 74kg, 83kg, 93kg, 105kg, 120kg, 120kg+

Women: up to 43kg (Sub-Junior/Junior), 47kg, 52kg, 57kg, 63kg, 69kg, 76kg, 84kg, 84kg+

The most recent (at time of writing) technical rule book for the IPF can be found here, and the approved gear list (IE knee sleeves, wraps etc) can be found here.