Tamar Circuit

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

Timings: Check in from 0815 - 0915.

                 Briefing 0915 

                 Geoff Sanders A,B,C Starts 1000.

                 First Start: 1030 (high tide 1120)

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. BC day tickets for non – members £5.

Entries: By BC Race Entry Management System. Any entries received later than 2100 on Thursday 22nd June 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 payments after 22/6/23 to be by cash on the day please (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: Due to the early start, 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 BC 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 tide is 1120 hrs

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, drinks and cakes available for small charge for non paddlers. 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.

Provisional Start Time/Order:

 1000 Geoff Sanders A,B,C

1030 Div 2 & 3 K2

1032 Div 1, 2 & 3 K1

1034 Div 4 & 5 K2

1036 Div 4 & 5 K1

1038 Div 6 K2

1040 Div 6 K1

1050 Div 7 K2

1052 Div 7 K1

1054 Div 8 K2

1056 Div 8 K1

1058 Div 9 K2

1100 Div 9 K1