This is the usual BCCC Hasler race. There are no changes to the route or race specification from previous years.
The race will be held in accordance with BC Marathon Racing rules. U14's racing in divisions A & B and U12's in C will qualify for Geoff Sanders Memorial Trophy.
COURSES:
The races will be held on the Basingstoke Canal
Div. 1 2 & 3 K1 & 2 3 K2 10.6 miles 1 Portage
Div. 4 5 & 6 K1 & 4 5 & 6 K2 8.8 miles 1 Portage
Div. 7 8 9 K1 & 7 8 & 9 K2 4.4 miles 0 Portages
Geoff Sanders U14/12 K1 & K2 2 miles 0 Portages
Canal is flat water with near nil current. Water is shallow in almost all places.
START TIMES:
Check in from 09:00.
4 miles & Geoff Sanders K1 courses Briefing 10:00, Start 10:30
10.6 miles, 8.5 miles & Geoff Sanders K2 courses Briefing 11:30, Start 12:00 (timing may be delayed depending on finishers from the earlier races)
SAFETY: All paddlers in Divisions 7 to 9 and U14s must wear approved buoyancy aids. Team leaders to decide if paddlers in higher divisions should wear them.
NUMBER BOARDS: These will be issued at check in and will be collected after the race. Lost boards are charged at £5.
Venue: Basingstoke Canal Visitors Centre, Mytchett Place Road, Mytchett.
Mytchett Place Road is off the A321 which runs from Frimley to Ash. The Centre is best approached from the A331 (the link road between the M3 and the A31 Hog's Back). The Basingstoke Canal Visitors Centre is signposted from each of the junctions off the A331, mentioned below.
From the M3: Leave at junction 4. Take the A331 and follow signs to Farnham/Guildford. Leave A331 at second junction (signposted to Mytchett/Farnborough Park). Turn left at top of slip road (to Mytchett).
At end of Coleford Bridge Road go straight across at mini round-abouts in to Mytchett Place Road (follow signs to RAMC and QARANC Museums). The Canal Centre is on your left over the canal bridge.
From the A31: Take the A331. Leave at the second junction. This is signposted to Farnborough/Ash Vale A3411).
First follow signs to Ash Vale A3411. After going back over the A331, turn right at round-about. Go over the railway and turn left at next round-about and take A3411 to Mytchett.
Turn left at "T" junction, on to A321, Mytchett Road. Continue on this road for approx half mile. Just past BP garage (on left), turn right at mini round-about in to Mytchett Place Road. The Canal Centre is on the left, just over the canal bridge.
Car parking is at the far side of the Centre in a large field and will be marshaled. Please park where directed.
Booking in, toilets and refreshments for competitors are in the Centre.
The tea room will be open for spectators to buy refreshments.
Please take care when carrying your canoe - there will be other visitors using the Centre.
Parents/carers are reminded to keep their children under supervision at all times and to ensure that all warning/age restrictions are complied with in the canal centre grounds.
The course is fully accessible from the towpath, which is on the opposite bank to the Centre.
The section of canal we use for racing is registered as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and this sensitive ecosystem is under threat from invasive, non-native, species. Will all paddlers please CHECK, CLEAN and DRY boats, paddles and kit (especially paddling shoes) before coming on site and if possible at least 24 hours before racing. Further guidance on how to stop the spread can be found at http://www.nonnativespecies.org/checkcleandry/.
The Mytchett site is directly under the flightpath for Farnborough Airport and is therefore not suitable for drone flights.
As is tradition, should you wish to bring boats, paddles or equipment for sale, there will be a place to display them. Please ensure you have a clear price, name of seller and mobile telephone displayed.
https://www.b3c.org.uk/
b3c.secretary@gmail.com.
NOTE: Basingstoke Canoe Club reserves the right, without prior notice, to alter any of these arrangement should the weather or other circumstances warrant it.