Organisers of Crankworx Rotorua are calling for an army of volunteers to help run the five day international gravity mountain biking event from March 9-13.

It's the second time Rotorua will be hosting the first stop of the Crankworx World Tour and the only place in the Southern Hemisphere to see the world's top gravity-athletes, from nearly every discipline of mountain biking.

Volunteers are sought for Crankworx in March. Photo: Clint Trahan.

'Volunteers are the lifeblood of this event and we want to make sure it's a valuable and rewarding experience for everyone who gets involved," says Tak Mutu, Crankworx Rotorua event director.

Crankworx 2015 saw more than 200 volunteers working at track repairs, driving the competitors up the mountain, scanning tickets and on course marshalling.

Volunteer positions range from helping the sports crew on course to doing the administrative work necessary to keep each day ticking along. Assistants are also needed for registration, accreditation, hosting different aspects of the event and ensuring the expo runs smoothly.

'There was plenty to do and we needed all the help we could get,” says Crankworx Rotorua volunteer manager Mel Rika.

In addition rubbing shoulders with the world's top riders, volunteers are eligible to win some pretty amazing prizes—including a new mountain bike.

Shifts range from two to 12 hours, with a preliminary schedule due for release three weeks prior to the event, confirming shift lengths and crew assignment.

Minimum age for volunteers is 16. Those under 18 years old are required to submit a waiver by a parent or guardian.

While special skills are not required, the event is looking for anyone who has a driver's licence and is willing to shuttle riders. First Aid attendants are also needed for the medical response team.

The volunteer experience culminates in a volunteer wrap-up party at Skyline Rotorua Gravity Park where volunteers get to spend an evening celebrating the success of the events they helped put on, meeting the other amazing volunteers and snagging some pretty epic mountain bike swag.

Those who came out for the inaugural Crankworx Rotorua described their experience as extremely rewarding.

'For five days I was immersed into the Crankworx family. I got to hang out with some crazy misfits, like-minded and incredibly talented people. Getting an up close and personal view of all the inner workings of this huge event was even better than working a real job. Having it here in Rotorua, our home turf, was a massive bonus. And even bigger bonus, was being able to view all the events every day from the best seats in the house,” says Melany Rangitutia, Crankworx volunteer.

Fill in the volunteer application form http://www.skyline.co.nz/rotorua/Crankworx_Rotorua/volunteer/