Terms & Conditions

Parking

There is strictly no parking at Reading Canoe Club/on The Warren - there has been fencing erected along the wall that runs along the Warren which means turning space is also limited in terms of drop offs/pick ups. 

If you are planning on bringing a trailer of boats please contact us via email before the day of the race so we can arrange a suitable time and manage the number of vehicles on The Warren at any one time.

Safety

• Canoeing​ ​and​ ​Kayaking​ ​in​ ​all​ ​its​ ​forms​ ​is​ ​an​ ​‘Assumed​ ​Risk​ ​–​ ​Water​ ​Contact’​ ​sport.​ ​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.

• Competitors and team leaders should note that competitors participate at their own risk, and that Reading Canoe Club cannot be held responsible for any loss or injury to person or property however caused.

• Team leaders must bring to the race organiser's attention any paddlers that are known to suffer with medical conditions that could adversely affect their safety. The race organizer will then decide what, if any, extra control measures to put in place to ensure the safety of the paddler.

• The course is open to others and you must be mindful of all others, and courteous, whether they are competitors/supporters/general public, on and off the water

• Competitors must provide support to any other paddler in distress to a level that doesn't put themelves at increased risk. At a minimum they should raise the attention of one of the safety boats or marshals along the course. 

• The rules of the river/waterway should be observed at all times. 

• 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. 

Kit Requirements 

• In the event of cold weather, paddlers considered by the race organisers to be too lightly dressed will not be permitted to take part. The safety marshalʼs decision in this matter will be final. 

Buoyancy aids

• All paddlers under the age of 16 years on 1st January in the year of the race must wear a buoyancy aid or life jacket.

• Division 7-9 paddlers must​ wear buoyancy aids, regardless of the class entered

• It is recommended that all other paddlers wear a buoyancy aid or life jacket and dress appropriately, since river conditions can be adverse at this time of the year and we may declare on race day it is compulsory for ALL classes, ALL paddlers

Boat Buoyancy 

• All boats must carry sufficient buoyancy secured in both ends to support their own weight plus that of crew members in the water, e.g. inflated airbags or fixed buoyancy blocks. Boats may be inspected before the start and any boats not meeting the requirements will not be allowed to race. 

Retirements 

All paddlers who fail to finish must report this, with their boat number, to a marshal. Alternatively report to race control on 07727 262925

General conduct

Littering is not acceptable at any site related to the event, nor on the river. Any paddlers or their support crew seen to be littering should be reported to race organisers and risk disqualification from the race.

Please be polite and respectful to anyone you come across in the duration of the event including spectators or pedestrians using the tow paths. 

Please encourage and support all racers