Southampton Hasler Marathon 2023

Southampton Hasler Marathon 2023

Come and race at the Southampton Hasler 2023! 

The Southampton 2023 Marathon Race will take place on Sunday 18th June 2023, at Southampton University Boat hard with racing taking place on the estuary of the River Itchen. Race control will be at Southampton University Boat hard SO18 2JL

Welfare

The Organising Committee of Southampton Canoe Club Marathon 2023. believe that the welfare and wellbeing of all children is paramount. 

All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, have equal rights to safety and protection. All suspicions, concerns and allegations of harm will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. A welfare officer for the event will be appointed and will act as the point of contact for any concerns or allegations. Their contact number will be displayed throughout the duration of the event.

Event format

Races will be conducted in accordance with the British Canoeing Hasler Marathon rules. There will be races for Divisions 9 to 1 for K1 and K2 and races for Geoff Sanders A,B,C K1 and mini K2.

Race courses may change due to changes in conditions or availability,  The planned courses and distances of races are as follows: 

Divisions 9 to 7 will race a 4-mile course, divisions 6 to 4 will race an 8-mile course and divisions 3 to 1 will race a 12-mile course

Parking

Parking is available on site at the University Watersports Centre. Please limit all vehicle movements on site to 5 mph or less.

Competitors 

Competitors should note this race is held on an estuary, Southampton Canoe Club strongly recommends that all competitors wear a buoyancy aid and spraydeck during the race. Buoyancy Aids are compulsory for Geoff Sanders and any paddler ranked in division 7, 8 or 9 regardless of the division they enter. Southampton Canoe Club reserves the right to require any or all paddlers to wear Buoyancy aids and/or Spraydecks in order to race. It can be a long swim to the bank.

In line with the rules competitors shall ensure that the boat they are racing has sufficient buoyancy to keep the boat level when filled with water in choppy conditions. Southampton Canoe Club recommends that all boats are fitted with additional buoyancy, the competitor is responsible for the standard of their boat, and the canoe club is not responsible for any damage whilst assisting in the recovery of a boat or during racing.

The race is held on an estuary and as such the river bed is muddy with a lot of unknown debris, Southampton Canoe Club recommend that all paddlers wear shoes whilst racing.

Competitors with additional needs should email the race organiser with their needs in addition to their entries.

Races are open to all ages. However, Geoff Sanders classes are restricted to under 14.

PLEASE NOTE following an incident last year any competitor(s) paddling through the small bridge at Northam will be disqualified. 

Team leaders, Paddlers and Parents are responsible for ensuring the paddlers are appropriately briefed and equipped having taken into account the paddlers health, fitness, capability, the course, the prevailing conditions and other risks associated with this race. If you have any questions please ask the race organiser.

General Safety provisions

All crews must:

• Attend the race safety briefing.

• Assess the experience of the crew and their ability to cope with the conditions.

• Follow the instructions of the Race officials marshals and umpires

    There may be times when crews need to navigate with other water users including commercial shipping, it is expected that crews will follow the relevant COLREGs and local navigation rules. The organisers and competitors will presume in favour of non racing river traffic.

Race Day

9am - Check In Opens 

10.15 - First Race Brief

11.00 - First Race Start (including GS K1)

12.00 - Second Race Brief

12.45 - Second Race Start (including GS K2)

Launching and Landing 

Will be from the Southampton University Boat Hard Steps.

Water Quality 

Competitors concerned about water quality are encouraged to check the Surfers Against Sewage Pollution Alert Map

Cancelation

The organisers will run a forcast check against the event risk assessment on the Thursday before the race and may adjust or cancel the race according to their needs. In the event of cancelation Southampton Canoe Club will refund any moneys remaining after the event expenses are paid for.