Tamar Circuit

Venue: Calstock Village Hall, Calstock, Cornwall, PL18 9QA

Timings: Check in from 0815 - 0945.

                 Briefing 1000 for all paddlers on patio outside village hall 

                 Geoff Sanders Starts from 1045.

Divisional Starts: 1120, after GS paddlers have finished (High Water 1215)

Hasler Classes:    Div 1,2,3 K1 & 2 & 3 K2                       12 miles

                              Div 4,5,6 K1 & 4,5 & 6 K2                     8 miles

                              Div 7,8,9, K1 & 7,8 & 9 K2                    4 miles

                              Geoff Sanders A,B,C.                           2 miles

Fees: £12 senior & £8 junior. £5 Geoff Sanders. Paddle UK membership required (or purchase of PUK single event membership ticket for £5, previously event tickets)

Entries: By Paddle UK Race Entry Management System. Any entries received later than 2100 on Thursday 11th July will incur a £3 late entry fee per paddler. Payment via BACS (preferably by team leader) - account details can be requested from tvnsecretary@hotmail.com once entry has been submitted or cash on the day. Any entries or payments after 2100 Friday 12th July to be cash on the day. Please note we do not have card payment facilities.

Parking: Calstock Parish Council have kindly agreed to provide use of the village playing field for parking through the main carpark behind the village hall. Please use this field in preference to taking up spaces in the main carpark.

Camping: The parish council have given permission has been given for a limited number of tents to be pitched at the north end of the playing field (furthest end from the river) on the Saturday night only. Please contact the race organisers in advance if you wish to camp.

Buoyancy Aids: These must be worn by all paddlers ranked in divisions 7-9 and Geoff Sanders irrespective of race entered. All under 18s must wear buoyancy aids with the exception of those entered in div 6 or higher with their Team Leader's permission. The race organiser may insist that additional  paddlers of any division wear buoyancy aids and/or spray decks if conditions on the day warrant this. 

Rules: Races will be conducted as per PUK Marathon Racing Rules. Club vests / colours must be worn to be awarded Hasler points.

Course: The course will take place on the tidal River Tamar. Although it will involve no portages footwear is strongly recommended due to the muddy banks and access and egress. High Water 1215

Additional Info: Sea kayaks and Surf Skis are welcome to enter and will be eligible for club points. Safety vessels will be provided at various points on the course. Paddlers are obliged to stop and help any fellow paddlers in difficulty as per marathon racing rules. Race control and first aid cover will be based in the village hall. Public toilets are situated beside the hall with additional toilets inside. Please don’t use the hall for changing in. In the event of wet weather the organisers will endeavour to provide changing tents.

Refreshments: Paddler refreshments will be available free, addtional drinks and cakes available for small charge. Cash only and please bring your own mugs/glasses where possible.

Course Information

Starts: All starts will be approximately 10 metres upstream of the pontoon and all boats will point upstream. A marshall on the pontoon will call boats forwards from the marshalling area between the pontoon and the railway bridge. The start line will also be the finish line.

Geoff Sanders A,B,C : Start, 1 mile upstream to sharp right hand bend. Anticlockwise turn around turn buoy (with marshall), return to start/finish line.

4 Mile Circuit: Start, 2 miles upstream to sloping wall at north end of New Quay. Anticlockwise turn around buoy (with marshall) and return to start/finish line.

8 Mile Circuit: Start, 2.8 miles upstream continuing past 4 mile race turn buoy at New Quay and Morwellham Quay. Anticlockwise turn around Morwellham Island, a small grassy island just around the right hand bend past the quay. Note that it can be shallow in this area, particularly around the back of the island. Paddle back past the start line, under the railway bridge and down the straight past the boat yard. Take the left hand bend and turn anticlockwise at buoy (with marshall) opposite Cotehele Quay. Return to finish line.

12 Mile Circuit: 8 mile circuit followed by 4 mile circuit.