The rollers at Teddington lock are not accessible to supporters – please use the lock cut above the lock.
Please park considerately on nearby roads. Support crews must adhere to all relevant local parking restrictions, notices and requests by police officers, Environment Agency officials and lockkeepers and any breach of this rule may lead to disqualification of crews.
Disposable drink bags or any other items of personal kit must not be discarded anywhere on the course or the race site. The penalty for non-compliance with this rule, whether by the competitor or their support crew, is immediate disqualification.
Parking
No cars are to be left in the field after the race has started. The council may lock them in, and we will have no way of getting them out. If you leave your car to be picked up later, please park elsewhere on the road or in town.
Important Safety Notes
Please use this telephone number to report retirements or emergencies during the day: 07827741646. Please do not use this for any other purposes.
The race organisers reserve the right to CANCEL the event up to and including on the day in the case of an incident, emergency or conditions. We will do our best to notify team leaders, but please check the website for the latest information.
Should circumstances require the ABANDONMENT of the race whilst in progress, the following procedure will apply
- Crews on hearing continuous short blasts on air horns and/or seeing marshals waving red flags will immediately STOP. They will wait to be instructed by a marshal on how and where to proceed. Crews must be aware that other crews may not have heard or seen the warnings and must pass on instructions received to any such crew who they see still racing.
- Depending on crews’ locations, whether or not the Race has started, and the number of crews still being marshalled, they may be asked to either paddle to a specified get-out point or turn towards one of the banks and await further instructions.
Competitors should be aware that the lower Thames can be busy with pleasure cruisers, rowers and other craft. Competitors must be mindful of these and other hazards. Competitors must follow any direction given by Port of London Authority Officers, Environment Agency Officials or Race Marshals.
All portages are over boat rollers and may be slippery. Care should be taken while getting in and out. Please do not run over the rollers.
Competitors must provide support to any other paddler in distress and should attempt to raise the attention of one of the safety boats or Marshals along the course.
The River Thames can experience sudden increases in pollution, especially after heavy rainfall. Any paddler who feels ill after the race should draw this to the attention of their medical practitioner.
Canoeing and kayaking in all their forms are ‘Assumed risk – water contact’ sports. The organisers have done their very best to provide a safe racing environment, but competitors are reminded of their duty of care to themselves and all other competitors. Safety is a shared responsibility.