Kayak Participants

Pre-Launch

The race directions for kayaks are very much the same as the general race directions and paddlers are required to attend the captains briefing before the race.  At the briefing, final decisions regarding race route and safety announcements will be made, it is crucial that paddlers attend.
All kayak participants need to collect their race pack with race numbers etc, before the race briefing and ensure that the race numbers and required equipment including life jackets are in place for inspection by race officials before launch.  Kayakers must wear their race number front and back and also tape the number securely to the hull of the kayak.

Launch

At the race start, kayaks will launch in the same area as other boats and are asked to try to maintain a clear slipway at all times as many of the boats require a clear slip and many volunteers for launch!  There will be assistants around on the day and anyone in difficulty should ask for assistance, however it is assumed that all paddlers will handle and launch their own boats.  Give yourself 10 - 15 minutes to get to the start line.

Recovery

At the end of the race there is a separate retrieval area for kayaks away from the boat lift area. This will be on the right hand side of the river, downriver of the final bridge at the race finish. Race marshals will assist with lifting the boats and boats can be left temporarily at the Harbour Commisioners quayside while racers organise their transport.  Paddlers are asked to maintain a clear access path to and from the steps in this area to facilitate the prompt lifting of kayaks.