Date & Location
Saturday May 12, 2012 10:00AM until approx. 4:30PM
Centennial Park, Park Dr, Petawawa
Note: Raft races start as early as 7:00AM. Your team’s start time will be assigned to you when you register. The registration desk will be open for kayaks/canoes from 7:00 until 13:00.
Registration
Register via e-mail to hohwpetawawa@hotmail.com or use the registration page on this website: here.
Note: Registering online is MANDATORY for raft teams, and strongly encouraged for kayaks/canoes.
All participants must come to the registration table on arrival the day of the event in order to sign the necessary waivers, and get assigned your start time.
Cost
$10 buys you into the kayak race. $150 (maximum six people per team) buys you into the raft race. This covers only insurance and costs and costs. Feel free to make a larger donation if you like. Rafters are required by law to have proper thermal protection (ie. wetsuits or drysuits). If you need one, they will be available for rental the day of the event for $15.
We will have shirts available for purchase, as well as some raffle prizes and such.
Payment
Cash or cheques can be brought to the registration table at Centennial Park (Park Dr, Petawawa) the morning of the event. If you prefer to pay in advance, let us know via e-mail to HOHWPetawawa@hotmail.com.
Format
Speed rules. Fastest boat to the bottom wins.
No gates. No bonus points for style.
Boats depart at one-minutes intervals at a set time (as previously assigned.)
Racers are responsible for being ready to go at their assigned time. If you aren’t ready, too bad. NO EXCEPTIONS.
The arrival time at the finish is recorded.
Race time is established.
Don’t argue with the timekeepers, they’re volunteers and this is a fun race.
Racers depart in one-minute intervals
Short boats and long boats will race together, but the “class” will be noted on their time.
Course
The Petawawa River Town Section is a roughly 3 km stretch of river with rapids ranging from Class II to Class IV, and opportunity to push the limits in both directions if you wish to try harder lines. The race course will be roughly 1 km of this section, covering two Class III+ rapids and one Class III, with some boogie in the middle.
All racers should be expected to be competent paddlers in Class 3+ rapids. Scouting and paddling the course in advance is highly recommended, both for safety and for speed.
The Race Course will be run from the major river right eddy at Railroad Rapid, and end when the racer touches the marker in the large eddy below Catwalk Rapid (town hall).
Notes on Boats and Classes
Raft: Maximum six paddlers not including the guide (supplied by Esprit Rafting). Helmets, PFDs and paddles are provided. You will receive a start time on registration. Please plan to be at least an hour early in order to get the safety briefing, get dressed and meet your guide.
Kayaks/Canoes:
1. Must not have a discernible keel or skeg. No sea kayaks or downriver boats.
2. Classes are CREEKBOAT (any length) and PLAYBOAT (shorter than 7′ 6″) and OPEN BOAT.
3. If in doubt, you’re in the creekboat class.
4. Kayaks must be plastic. No fibreglass in this race. You have your own races.
5. You need to tell them on registration, which class you are entering, or else you are in the creekboat class by default.
1630 – Last Call
$10 buys you dinner, awards and an after party at the Great Canadian WareHouse located on Petawawa Blvd just near the the bridge you paddle under, right in town. Good food, kayak movies, cold beers and good friends. Great view of Railroad. Stick around this year. Its a blast.
