Safety First

Your safety is important to us

We want you to join us and have a fun afternoon on the water but safety for all the race participants is our primary concern. The River Adur is a fast flowing tidal river but the main event will take place at high water when the tide is slack. A slack tide is a period of time when the river water is not flowing in or out.

The Kayak and SUP Race will take place earlier and over moving water so you will need to have some experience handling those water craft. All participants, no matter which race they have entered, will be required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD). PFD’s can be supplied if requested but there may be a small charge.

During the races a number of safety boats with trained skippers and crew will support the race and first aid staff will be on standby at a first aid station in Sussex Yacht Club.

The Raft Race is the flagship race and a team event for a minimum of four people and a maximum of eight. You will need to build your own raft and source your own materials and submit to a safety check before the start of the race. Give your team a name and optional fancy dress for extra prizes.

The Race will start at 3:45 pm at Sussex Yacht Club following a route across the River Adur and back to finish in front of Coronation Green.

Entry to the race is £15 per adult & £10 for under 18s & Charitable organisations.

Race Rules

General

This is a fun event and crews are expected to participate within the spirit of the event

Judge’s & Safety Boat Crew’s decision will be final

ALL ENTRANTS MUST REMOVE THEIR RAFT OR REMNANTS OF IT AFTER THEIR RACES and place them in the appropriate designated place

Walking the river bed towing a sunk boat will not qualify

You are advised to visit the site to inspect the course prior to entry as there are unusual conditions e.g. the water can be very shallow

Sussex Yacht Club and the organisers are water safety; not responsible for retrieval of rafts etc

Rafters

Crew costumes are encouraged

All participants take part in the event at their own risk

All entrants must ensure they take reasonable safety precautions and are reminded that they are responsible for their own safety.

Everyone on the water MUST WEAR a fit for purpose PFD (Personal Flotation Device (i.e. Buoyancy Aid or Life Jacket)).

Safe footwear MUST be worn. Not just socks, NO wellies

All rafters must be aged 8 years or older

Minimum 4 people per raft at any one time

No more than 8 people on any one raft at any one time

All junior crews must be supervised by responsible adult(s)

No Alcohol or drugs to be consumed by participants before or during the event

Rafts

All Rafts must clearly display their Raft Number on the Raft

All rafts must be powered by canoe paddle, kayak paddle or muscle power

NO electrical, gasoline, benzene, propane or other chemical or electrical propulsion systems are permitted

All Rafts must be able to be lifted in & out of the water by the crew unaided

No Raft may be an existing watercraft modified or otherwise to become a raft (e.g. no canoes/SUPs lashed together)

The following materials are not allowed to be used in the construction of your Raft: -

o Polystyrene

o Toxic materials or containers of any type

o Glass

The crew compartment CANNOT be enclosed and there must be easy escape method for everyone on the raft

Rafts may be painted with water based paint and sealer, these must be dry before the raft enters the water

All rafts will be inspected for compliance before launch and may be disqualified for not meeting any one of the stated rules