VENUE: River Thames. Pangbourne, The Dolphin Centre, Whitchurch Rd. RG8 7DA
GPS coordinates N 51.485742 W 1.085289 .
Directions - Exit M4 at Junction 12 and follow A4 signed to Theale and Pangbourne. At 2nd roundabout turn right onto the A340 to Pangbourne. As you enter the village turn right at the first mini roundabout then left at the next mini roundabout at The George Hotel. Go under the railway bridge and take 2nd right turn into the public car park. Entrance to the meadow car parking is directly on your right.
We are very grateful to Pangbourne Parish Council for allowing us to use the meadow. This is a public space and so should be treated with respect and due consideration should be given to all other users. The Thames Path runs beside the river and must be kept clear at all times. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.
CLASSES / COURSE :
Singles Doubles Distances Portages
Div 1,2,3 Div 2,3 12 miles 3
Div 4,5,6 Div 4,5,6 8 miles 2
Div 7,8,9 Div 7,8,9 4 miles 0
GS A/B/C GS K2 mini + open 2 miles 0
Distances are approximate .
ENTRIES : All entries to be made on line using the MRC race entry system ( Link below )
Entries Open 14th August
Standard Entries will close Thursday 17th September 23:59 hrs
LATE ENTRIES, surcharge £6 Seniors, £5 Juniors, CLOSE Saturday 19th September 12:00 hrs.- Midday!!
There will be No Entries on the day
Seniors: £12.50 per seat
Juniors: £10.00 per seat
GS A/B/C £5.00 per seat.
Entrants must be members of Paddle UK, either Full members or Associated Club members.
If not for Div 7 - 9 only, a Paddle UK event ticket may be purchased on line at point of entry.
Please note - a paddler ranked Div 5 or 6 is no longer allowed to race in a K2 in Div 7 .
Briefing notes (and Start lists, we hope) will be published on Saturday 20th September on our website. ( Link below )
Club colours must be worn for points to be awarded.
Any problems / changes to entries, please email janetinfrance@gmail.com
TIMETABLE: 08:30 BOAT HOLDING AREA OPEN for Div 7/8/9 boats
08.30 RACE ADMIN- CHECK IN OPEN- TEAM LEADERS ONLY
09.30 START GS A/B/C – approx. 2 miles
10.30 START DIVS 7, 8, 9 – approx. 4 miles
11:45 START Mini K2s – approx. 2 miles
12:00 RACE ADMIN- CHECK IN CLOSES
BOAT HOLDING OPEN for Div 1 - 6
13:00 START DIVS 1 - 6
FOOD:
Entry fees include light refreshments for competitors directly after their race. Water will be available on-tap for all, remember to bring a water bottle. The club will be selling hot drinks and cakes for all during the event, with reduced rates for tea/coffee on 'presenting' your own mug. Our local scout group - 1st Purley and Pangbourne ( Link below) will be selling hot food. We are hoping to run a cash free event so please come prepared with cards!
NOTES TO COMPETITORS:
- Buoyancy aids are compulsory for all Geoff Sanders competitors, as well as division 7, 8 and 9 paddlers whether they are racing in those divisions or higher divisions.
- Team leaders should decide if paddlers under 16 years of age in higher divisions should wear a buoyancy aid.
- The race organiser has the final say on who has to wear a buoyancy aid.
- Team Leaders are responsible for ensuring that paddlers are properly equipped having taken into account the paddler’s health, fitness, capability, the course, the prevailing conditions and other risks associated with this race. If a competitor requires additional needs please email with the information to the entry secretary. janetinfrance@gmail.com
- The race will be run in accordance with Paddle UK, Marathon Racing Committee rules. ( Link below )
- Number boards will be provided and must be displayed on all craft. All number boards must be returned at the end of the race - there will be a £5 charge for boards not returned to PPC.
- Paddlers will encounter other craft on the river. Rules of the river must be observed when racing – keep right.
- Competitors must render their boats sufficiently buoyant to remain afloat and to support the crew in rough water in the event of capsize. No boat will be deemed to be sufficiently buoyant purely as a result of its construction (e.g. vac bagged/ sandwich or other construction) to fulfil this requirement, additional buoyancy will be required in the form of foam, air bags and/or sealed bulkheads. Roaming marshals will be carrying out spot checks throughout the day
- During the course of a competition any Items discarded by a competitor anywhere other than in a proper bin, must be recovered by the athlete, their support crew or coach immediately. It is the athlete’s responsibility to ensure that this has happened. An event official witnessing non-compliance with this rule shall report the infringement to the race organiser and the offending competitor will be disqualified from the competition.
- Any disputes over race results must be made by the team leader witin an hour of the results being published.
- The Club and its nominated officials cannot be held responsible for any loss of life, injury or damage to equipment however caused.
- You agree that we may publish your Personal Information as part of the results of the Event and may pass such information to the governing body or any affiliated organisation for the purpose of insurance, licences or for publishing results either for the event alone or combined with or compared to other events. Results may include (but not be limited to) name, any club affiliation, race times, occupation and age category.
- As part of the ongoing Event Risk Assessment the club will consider the Environment Agency Thames conditions; if the level of the river is judged to be too high or flow too strong, the race will be cancelled. In the case that the race has to be cancelled (due to weather conditions etc) this information will be published on the Panbourne website at the earliest opportunity. ( Links below