1. Paddlers are to keep within the channel markers, keeping the green on the right and red on the left when paddling upstream from the start till the end of the broadwater (4km). The reverse applies on the way back. Keep to the right of the channel where possible, and pass oncoming craft to the right. All turns will be made in an anticlockwise direction.
2. ‘The Slot’, for those who are aware of it, is out of bounds for this event.
***Paddling up ‘the slot’ will result in disqualification***
Larger vessels cannot search for lost paddlers there.
3. Paddlers not meeting minimum time/progress requirements for their selected distances will be directed to turn around, and must do so immediately when advised by the safety boat captain(s) or any other official.
Minimum time/progress for all paddlers will be measured as follows:
47km Distance
8:00am start must reach Engels Reach Wharf (13.5km) before 09:45am
9:00am (8.55) start must reach Engels Reach Wharf (13.5km) before 10:30am
27km Distance
10:00am (9.55) start must reach the 12km course turn buoy at Tamboi Queen Jetty before 11:00am
11:00am start must reach the 12km course turn buoy at Tamboi Queen Jetty before 11:45am
12km Distance
11.30am start for all paddlers, no time restrictions
4. Sweep Boat
The Safety Boat located at the 47km distance turn point will leave its station and start to return to the finish line at 12:00 midday. Paddlers who have not reached the 47km course turn point by this time will be turned around by this safety boat, which will also act as the sweep and will signify that the course has been closed behind it.
Instructions from race officials and/or safety boat captains must be complied with at all times. Paddlers failing to follow instructions given will be disqualified.
5. THE FINISH LINE is ONLY OPEN from 12.30pm onwards. (except for late starting, very fast paddlers). Choose your start time carefully. 27 & 47km Paddlers finishing before this time will be given an automatic 12.30pm finish.
6. Assisting other paddlers.
Paddlers must render assistance to other paddlers in need. Time will be credited to paddlers providing assistance. This is a gruelling race that will test many paddlers who have not done this distance unsupported and without stopping. If you see a paddler in the water, or even stopped at the riverbank, please check that they are OK.
7. All craft will be checked for compliance at the Entry Chute. Any paddler(s) found without the minimum requirements for the entered distance will not be passed through the Entry Chute and will not start the race until compliant.
8. Paddlers must obey the directions of the safety boat captain(s) at all times.
9. If paddlers are directed to turn around short of any turn they must do so immediately.
10. If a red flag is displayed by a race official anywhere along the course, this will indicate the race has been stopped and paddlers should proceed directly to the nearest official and enquire of the reason and what steps they should take to get to safety.
11. Paddlers must carry the required compulsory equipment for their chosen distance, and wear their lifejacket while on the water.
12. Alcohol: A paddlecraft is regarded by NSW Maritime as a powered vessel, and so paddlers are prohibited by law from consuming alcohol while paddling; they must have a zero blood alcohol level at all times. Paddlers found contravening this will be placing the future of the event in jeopardy, and so will be instantly disqualified.
13. Paddlers must not stop along the course unless they are unable to continue and require assistance, except for the landing area at the Tamboy Turn of the 47km event.
The Start/Finish Area
Parking
Parking is plentiful near Anzac Park. However, council have not permitted any parking of vehicles along the road adjacent to Anzac Park; this is to be a dedicated boat drop-off zone and emergency vehicle access point, and will be marked accordingly. It is also a turning area for the Fire Brigade opposite the park.
Please unload your vehicle promptly and then move it away. There will be allocated parking spaces for Kayak trailers in the carpark near the boat ramp.
Please do not park cars in the carpark of Mumms Restaurant or the Tea Gardens Boatshed. If you upset these restaurants, you won’t get your fish’n’chips!
Use of Anzac Park
Part of the conditions imposed by local council, who support the running of this event, are that we leave the park as we found it, and take away our rubbish. Please assist by taking your rubbish with you, if necessary in the rubbish bags provided. We are not permitted to use the park rubbish bins for this event.
There is NO GLASS allowed in Anzac Park
Accessible toilets are located across the road at the swimming pool shed with additional portaloos in the adjoining carpark
Race Briefings
Separate race briefings will be held for each race start, adjacent to the RMS building as follows:
8.00am start: 7:15 briefing
9.00am start: 8.15 briefing (race actually starts at 8.55am before the 9am ferry arrives)
9.30am Students start: 9.00 briefing
10:00am start: 9:15 briefing (race actually starts at 9.55am before the 10am ferry departs)
11.00am start: 10:15 briefing
11.30am start: 11.00 briefing
All paddlers must attend their event race briefing.
Entry to the Water
Entry chute will be open at the conclusion of each race briefing. All participants and boats will be checked for compliance before entering the water. Have your craft checked before you move to the entry chute.
It is the responsibility of all paddlers to have themselves and their craft pass through the entry chute. Failure to do so will render you a ‘Did Not Start’ (DNS) as your number will not be recorded.
For safety reasons, paddlers not on the water and in the warm-up area 5 minutes before their start, will be held back at the entry chute till their race has started.
The Starts & Starting Line
The starts will be in line with the the LCRK timing tent and the Anzac Memorial flagpole. The warm-up area is downstream, between the Maritime Services Jetty and the Hawks Nest Bridge. Please assist the starters and all paddlers by not paddling upstream of the start prior to any of the race starts.
Three (3) minutes before all race starts, an announcement will be made over the public address system. Paddlers are to align themselves with the starter at the Maritime Services Jetty and the Yellow Tide Marker, and move up to the start line with the starter (as per Hawkesbury Canoe Classic method). When satisfactorily aligned, the starter will indicate the start with a call of ready, go.
The Finish
The finish line is at the same location as the start line, adjacent to the timing tent. Paddlers are requested to paddle close to the bank to assist timing staff. Paddlers are required to stay downstream of the finish line once they have finished. Please ensure you give your race number to a race official or leave in the milk crate at the finish line.