Raft Race Rules
Timings on the day
Date: Sunday 2nd July 2023
Arrive at Emberton Park Weir between 10.00am and 11.15pm
Scrutineering starts at 11.15pm
Draw for running order approx. 11.45pm
Raft Race starts at 12.45pm
Rules
1) All entrants compete at their own risk. T.O.G. will not be held liable for any injury or loss howsoever caused. All competitors MUST wear lifejackets or approved buoyancy aids.
Competitors must note that the wearing of lifejackets or buoyancy aids is a condition of entry. Competitors not wearing suitable lifejackets or buoyancy aids will NOT be allowed in the race.
Please note:
T.O.G. and the Emberton Park management are unable to provide lifejackets or buoyancy aids for use by competitors – you need to provide them. If you need to find some, a Google search for buoyancy aid hire is one place to start.
2) Toxic containers must NOT be used. Any container that has been used for the storage of any
toxic or harmful substance will NOT be allowed on the river.
3) All entrants MUST be 14 years old or over and be able to swim in open water.
4) All rafts must be constructed of waste materials - planking, barrels, tyre inner tubes etc.
5) Fragmentable materials, e.g. polystyrene blocks, will not be permitted.
6) No rafts may be based on a canoe or boat hull, or have a single, 'smooth line' design and must be built with the spirit of the event in mind.
7) The dimensions of the raft must not exceed a total length of 5 metres, and a total width of 2 metres.
8) All paddles are to be 'home-made’ and must not re-use 'commercially' produced blades.
9) The maximum number of persons on a raft is 8. The minimum is 3.
10) No interference with other competitors/teams is allowed. Anyone deemed by the organisers to have consumed excess alcohol before the race will not be allowed to take part. This is for competitors’ and others safety.
11) All team members must report to the Judges/Scrutineers at 11.15pm to be scrutineered and be provided with their race numbers. All members of the team must be present at their raft at this time. Depending on the severity, any rafts/teams found not to be in compliance with the rules, or the 'spirit' of the event may be: -
a) Asked to make immediate minor modifications as defined by the scrutineer.
b) Allowed to enter the race but be ineligible for an official placing or trophy.
c) Disqualified, and thus barred from entry.
12) Any raft deemed by the scrutineers to be incapable of finishing the race, or which is likely to pose a danger to its crew or other participants, will NOT be allowed to take part.
13) The scrutineers' decision on the suitability or otherwise of a raft/team is final. No debate will be entered into.
14) There are four classes of entrants: Men, Women, Mixed and Junior (14-17). A separate prize will be awarded to the most entertaining raft as decided by the judges.
15) Only ONE nominated vehicle per team, displaying the attached entry permit, may enter Emberton Park free of charge in order to deliver the raft to the start.
16) No debris whatsoever is to be left in the river, or on the riverbanks. This includes the start at Emberton Park.
17) All rafts must be cleared from the finish line at the recreation ground by 8.00 pm on the day of the race at the latest.
18) The starting sequence will be decided by a draw and timing will be decided by the Judges/Scrutineers. Their decision is final, and not subject to any appeal. The team captains will be required for the draw at 11.45am.
19) Slower rafts MUST give way to faster rafts trying to pass.
20) A team finishes the race when their raft first touches the concrete steps at the finish.
21) All teams will be given their start number on arrival and must attach this securely and visibly facing forward on the front of their rafts.
22) You are informed that, in common with many other inland waterways, the river contains pollutants such as nitrates, algae toxins, Weil's Disease, and possible sewage discharge.
If clarification of any of the rules is sought, please do not hesitate to contact Roger Mann, rogermann23@gmail.com.
Date: Sunday 2nd July 2023
Arrive at Emberton Park Weir between 10.00am and 11.15pm
Scrutineering starts at 11.15pm
Draw for running order approx. 11.45pm
Raft Race starts at 12.45pm
Rules
1) All entrants compete at their own risk. T.O.G. will not be held liable for any injury or loss howsoever caused. All competitors MUST wear lifejackets or approved buoyancy aids.
Competitors must note that the wearing of lifejackets or buoyancy aids is a condition of entry. Competitors not wearing suitable lifejackets or buoyancy aids will NOT be allowed in the race.
Please note:
T.O.G. and the Emberton Park management are unable to provide lifejackets or buoyancy aids for use by competitors – you need to provide them. If you need to find some, a Google search for buoyancy aid hire is one place to start.
2) Toxic containers must NOT be used. Any container that has been used for the storage of any
toxic or harmful substance will NOT be allowed on the river.
3) All entrants MUST be 14 years old or over and be able to swim in open water.
4) All rafts must be constructed of waste materials - planking, barrels, tyre inner tubes etc.
5) Fragmentable materials, e.g. polystyrene blocks, will not be permitted.
6) No rafts may be based on a canoe or boat hull, or have a single, 'smooth line' design and must be built with the spirit of the event in mind.
7) The dimensions of the raft must not exceed a total length of 5 metres, and a total width of 2 metres.
8) All paddles are to be 'home-made’ and must not re-use 'commercially' produced blades.
9) The maximum number of persons on a raft is 8. The minimum is 3.
10) No interference with other competitors/teams is allowed. Anyone deemed by the organisers to have consumed excess alcohol before the race will not be allowed to take part. This is for competitors’ and others safety.
11) All team members must report to the Judges/Scrutineers at 11.15pm to be scrutineered and be provided with their race numbers. All members of the team must be present at their raft at this time. Depending on the severity, any rafts/teams found not to be in compliance with the rules, or the 'spirit' of the event may be: -
a) Asked to make immediate minor modifications as defined by the scrutineer.
b) Allowed to enter the race but be ineligible for an official placing or trophy.
c) Disqualified, and thus barred from entry.
12) Any raft deemed by the scrutineers to be incapable of finishing the race, or which is likely to pose a danger to its crew or other participants, will NOT be allowed to take part.
13) The scrutineers' decision on the suitability or otherwise of a raft/team is final. No debate will be entered into.
14) There are four classes of entrants: Men, Women, Mixed and Junior (14-17). A separate prize will be awarded to the most entertaining raft as decided by the judges.
15) Only ONE nominated vehicle per team, displaying the attached entry permit, may enter Emberton Park free of charge in order to deliver the raft to the start.
16) No debris whatsoever is to be left in the river, or on the riverbanks. This includes the start at Emberton Park.
17) All rafts must be cleared from the finish line at the recreation ground by 8.00 pm on the day of the race at the latest.
18) The starting sequence will be decided by a draw and timing will be decided by the Judges/Scrutineers. Their decision is final, and not subject to any appeal. The team captains will be required for the draw at 11.45am.
19) Slower rafts MUST give way to faster rafts trying to pass.
20) A team finishes the race when their raft first touches the concrete steps at the finish.
21) All teams will be given their start number on arrival and must attach this securely and visibly facing forward on the front of their rafts.
22) You are informed that, in common with many other inland waterways, the river contains pollutants such as nitrates, algae toxins, Weil's Disease, and possible sewage discharge.
If clarification of any of the rules is sought, please do not hesitate to contact Roger Mann, rogermann23@gmail.com.
