2002 AMENDMENTS ARE NOW PUBLISHED

Please see amendments

Advice to Competitors and Supporters

A. Under ideal conditions, the race calls for strenuous and sustained effort. In bad weather, it can be extremely arduous and below Teddington on the tide-way, dangerous. Only experienced paddlers who are able to swim and who have trained for at least three months prior to Easter, should attempt the Race.

ALL INTENDING COMPETITORS ARE REMINDED OF THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF WEARING BUOYANCY AIDS DURING ALL TRAINING SESSIONS.

B. TRAINING

Competitors are advised to spare no effort in training over long distances and in portaging locks with the weight of kit and with the boat which they intend to use for the Race. Training should take place in all weathers, both by day and for Senior Doubles, by night.

Up-to-date information on the non-tidal Thames as to any special dangers, prevailing river conditions and details of any warnings in force and any maintenance works in progress can be obtained from the Environment Agency Thames Information Line 0118 9535520 (24hr answer-phone service.). during office hours from District Navigation Offices.

Benson - Hurley 0118 9535533

Hurley - Penton Hook 01628 22491

Penton Hook - Teddington 01932 781946

Out of hours/Emergency number 0118 9535351

C. THE COURSE.

The canal presents many hazards to paddlers and competitors are therefore advised to make at least one training run on the canal to familiarise themselves with it.

Submerged stakes and rocks

These occur in countless places but be particularly careful at landfalls near rocks

Low bridges.

Care is called for in shooting these, especially at night. Several have been reinforced underneath with steel girders which can cause a severe head injury to an unsuspecting paddler.

Swans.

Easter usually coincides with the nesting season and many a boat has been capsized by an irate parent unused to the passage of boats. Pass by, keeping close in to the opposite bank. If the swan gives chase, as they invariably do, do not attempt to retaliate with paddles - it has been known for paddles to be broken by swans. If unsure of the best action to take, disembark and portage.

Weirs.

These generally take the form of overspill sluices. Listen for the sound of rushing water and steer well clear.

The Thames.

By now, fatigue will effect competitors' awareness and strength. Thames weirs constitute a definite danger and should be avoided. Take particular care at the following:Shiplake, Marsh, Hurley, Marlow, Cookham, Boulters, Bray (notoriously dangerous - keep well to the left hand bank when negotiating the right-hand bend immediately upstream of the lock), Romney, Old Windsor, Bell, and Chertsey. Other hazards include the movement of water through bridges, at sharp bends, obstructions such as mooring piles and piles used to site navigation signs.

From sunset to sunrise an all-round white light or two white lights giving the same coverage must be exhibited. (The Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993)

Competitors must observe the regulations for the avoidance of collision. (The Thames Navigation

Licensing and General Byelaws 1993).

On the tideway, keep clear of commercial traffic and at night keep a lookout for moored barges and buoys which do not always display lights.

Senior competitors must observe Rule 17 strictly and display a visible white light between Vauxhall Bridge and the finish if arriving between dusk and dawn. To be certain carry a spare torch.

On both the canal and the river, use the towpath as a 'guide' to the navigation channel or for portaging locks. Canal lock numbers, where given, are in the form of an iron plate attached to the tow path lock gate lever.

D. ACCOMODATION AT DEVIZES

Both Senior and Junior competitors can be accommodated, free of charge, in Scout Headquarters and/or the Corn Exchange in Devizes on Thursday night. Sleeping bags will be necessary. Under no circumstances may boats be taken into the building. It is regretted it is not possible to offer any separate accommodation for lady competitors at any point along the course

E. ARRIVAL AT WESTMINSTER.

When sighting Big Ben, keep to the right hand bank passing through the south arch of Westminster Bridge. The finish is 70m beyond Westminster Bridge for Senior Doubles and at Westminster Bridge for the stages classes. Continue paddling, keeping to the right hand bank and land at the steps at County Hall. Beware of strong back currents in the lee of the bridge piers.

F. TIDE TIMES ETC.

High water at Teddington is approximately 1 hour 2 minutes after London Bridge. Times of high water at London Bridge are given in the Tide Tables, the AA Handbook, Old Moore's Almanac and the Thames Book, and can be found online the official DW website at http://www.dwrace.org.uk/.

Richmond Drawlock is raised 2 hours before and lowered 2 hours after high tide at Teddington. (i.e. Clear passage is only possible during these four hours.) If the way is closed, portage on the left hand side (boat rollers).

G. LICENCES ON CANAL AND RIVER.

Competitors are reminded that only the period of the Race is covered by their entry fees. At all other times their boats must carry a current LICENCE PLATE issued by the appropriate authority. These are obtainable as follows:

Pleasure Craft Licensing Officer
British Waterways Board
Willow Grange
Church Road
Watford
Herts. WD1 3QA
Tel: 01923 226422

River Thames
The Environment Agency
Craft Registration Department
King's Meadow House
King's Meadow Road
Reading
Berks. RG1 8DQ
Tel: 0118 9535000

Competitors are earnestly requested not to use the waterways without a licence as this could easily prejudice permission being granted to hold the Race.

H. NUMBER PLATES

The number plate is the crews permit to be on the Kennet and Avon canal and the River Thames for the period of the Race. It can be retained by the crew after the Race.

1. 1. DRINKING WATER

Under no circumstances should canal or river water be used for drinking or mouth washing.

J. ADDRESS CHANGES

Please ensure that if you change the address for correspondence as stated on your entry form, the Competition Secretary is promptly notified.

K ENTRY LIST

Entry lists will be available at the start in Devizes

L. RESULT SHEETS

A full list of results will be sent to each crew within one month of the Race. The date of the Presentation of Trophies will also be confirmed at this time. Finishers' certificates may be collected at the Presentation.

M. PROCEDURE AT DEVIZES

Any crew wishing to make changes to its members or to the type of boat to be used must report accordingly to the Competition Secretary at the following times and places:
 

All crews using the Scout Headquarters or Corn Exchange at Devizes will rise in time to clean their quarters and place all refuse in the bin provided. Crews should be at the Wharf Car Park 60 minutes before their starting time, or at latest by 1200 hours.

Crews and Race Personal using any accommodation facilities are requested to avoid creating any nuisance or disturbance.

N. All crews arriving at the Wharf Car Park should proceed as follows:

1. Take your boat and equipment to the wharf enclosure. DO NOT FORGET YOUR RACE RECEIPT

2. Report any crew, team or boat changes to the Competition Secretary, these will be recorded on the Race Receipt Form.

3. Report to the Kit Check Marshals for Kit Check. Every team must be present and readily checkable. Life jackets/Buoyancy aids must be worn.

4. Where applicable, Marshals will affix short period Thames Conservancy Permits.

5. Report to the Wharf Theatre for attachment of identity wristlets and race bibs, if used. Hand in verified Kit Check Form.

6. Stow gear in boat, launch and paddle towards to the start line (before Couch Lane Bridge).

7. Report to the Starter.

8. When called, paddle to the Start Line and stop.

9. The Starter will start you by means of a verbal instruction.

10. No crew should check in more than 60 minutes prior to their start time, but no later than 1500 hours.

O. LOST PROPERTY

Competitors and support parties are requested to hand all lost property in at Westminster where all enquiries regarding such property should be made.

P. LOCKS CLOSED TO SUPPORT PARTIES

Crews and supporters should note that facilities for contacting crews at County Lock and Blakes Lock are not available.

Support vehicles are NOT permitted on access road to locks. The Runnymede Hotel grounds are still out of bounds and NO vehicles are allowed on the Sonning Lock access road. Boulters Hotel car park is also out of bounds.

Q. DREADNOUGHT REACH. A compulsory, portage has been organised on Dreadnought Reach, just downstream of Kennet Mouth. This will be clearly indicated.

R. JUNIOR CREWS

Although there is no requirement in the Rules to carry camping cooking equipment, all Junior crews are restricted to the Camp Site and while there they must be self sufficient. Their additional equipment must therefore be transported by their support parties. Those who wish to do so may carry it in their boat. Crews without support parties are advised to consult the stages site Marshal.

S. MARLOW

Supporters are reminded that pets are not allowed at Longridge Scout Camp.

T. S UPPOR CREWS.

Supporters tend to be too far ahead of their crews and cause panic and chaos as they race along the canal looking for them. Remember the average speed of a paddler is less than 6 miles per hour.

U. THAMES BRIDGE LIGHTS.

Thames bridges now carry a white isophase light, which flashes on and off with equal periods, above the centre arch. If this light is in use it indicates that a large or towing vessel is about to pass under the bridge. Arches of bridges which carry an upside down triangle (lit red at night), are closed to all traffic. Unauthorised use may lead to damages to both crews and the equipment.

V. LIGHTING REGULATIONS.

Extract from the "International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea 1972" as amended.

Rule 1 (a) These rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels

25 (a) (ii) A vessel under oars (for this purpose including paddles) shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

Note 1. Rule 25 above is in addition to the requirement under Rule 17 b(ii) of the Race Rules

2. Rule 25 above requires the torch to be capable of showing in any direction.