2011 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic
22-23 October 2011
Topics covered in this newsletter
Sponsors
| Silver | Apollocraft |
| Bronze | Mirage Seak Kayaks |
Compulsory Equipment
Each paddler must have the following equipment. You must present it all for checking at scrutineering and when you go through marshalling. The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic is a demanding event that is run mainly at night so your safety equipment must be in good working order. Compulsory equipment can be checked and anytime throughout the event by race officials. If you are missing this equipment you may be disqualified.
Each paddler must have:
- A buoyancy vest: - The PFD must have Australian Standards complance label and have a HCC official checking tag.
- Waterproof light: Must be powered by at least one AA size battery or have an LED globe with a reflector. This light must be attached to the paddler’s PFD by a string.
- Emergency blanket: This must be attached to the paddler's PFD.
- “Pea-less” whistle: This must be attached to the paddler’s PFD via a short string. Toy whistles are not suitable.
- Headgear: For protection against prevailing conditions.
- Sufficient solid food and drink (required at marshalling)
Each craft must have:
Waterproof torch: (additional to the PFD light) with either LED bulbs and reflector, or incandescent globes powered by at least 2 x D size batteries. Dolphin torches, 2-D maglites and most new LED lamps are acceptable. The torch must be attached to the craft so that the paddler can retrieve it while seated in his or her normal position.
Maps: These are available from the web site www.canoeclassic.asn.au. You will need them to be waterproofed. If you require maps to be sent to you please contact the entries co-ordinator.
Compass: Should be water proof.
Canoe number holder: All craft must have a canoe number holder fixed to the craft.
There may be random checks of compulsory equipment throughout the night by race officials. If you do not have your compulsory equipment, you may be disqualified.
Ferry Cables
There are 4 car ferry cables to be crossed by competitors in the Classic. These are at Sackville, Lower Portland, Webbs Creek and Wiseman’s Ferry. NSW Maritime has placed licence restrictions on the Classic in relation to craft crossing these cables.
These restrictions are that :
- No craft will cross ferry cables while the ferry is underway (ie flashing light operating).
- Ferry cables must only be crossed midstream.
To comply with these instructions a small floats with strobe flashing lights will be placed so as to form a gate about 50 metres upstream of each car ferry. Competitors must pass through these gates and remain midstream until the ferry cables are passed. Each car ferry will have a yellow or amber flashing light mounted on it. This light will be turned on whenever the vessel is moving. No competitor may pass through the gate or cross ferry cables while the ferry’s light is flashing.
Safety vessels will be controlling the gates and monitoring compliance.
Failure to comply with these instructions will mean automatic disqualification from the event.
Canoe Number Holders
Rules with regards to these number holders:
Canoe numbers will be attached to the craft by way of a number holder located on the rear deck of the craft at least 330mm behind the cockpit.
You can purchase number holders from Canoe Shops or from Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. These should be riveted onto your canoe or kayak or stuck down with double sided tape (Scotch Heavy Duty Mounting Tape by 3M, 20mm wide, is recommended).
Canoe Numbers will be supplied by the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic and are the property of HCC. Paddlers are required to hand in the canoe number at the Finish or at the checkpoint of withdrawal. To obtain a canoe number holder please contact
Checkpoint A
If you would like to camp at Cattai National Park (Checkpoint A) you will need to contact National Parks and Wildlife on (02) 4572 3100 and pre-book. They will be a fee for camping and this must be pre-paid.
These mean danger. We will endeavour to mark any problem areas on the river with red cyalumes. For example the fence protruding from the bank between checkpoints H and I, plus an area near Bar Point (Checkpoint “Q”) where a rope extends across the water above a submerged rock shelf.
Checking in / out of checkpoints
It is your responsibility to ensure that your canoe number is recorded at every “number please” station. These are marked by an orange flashing light.
The “number please” station will be positioned in the best spot for the safety network. Generally at major checkpoints there will be two “number please” stations, one when you enter the checkpoint and one when you leave the checkpoint.
Please ensure that you call your number clearly and loudly.
It is important that you register IN and OUT at Wisemans Ferry.
Non-compliance with this rule incurs a fifteen minute time penalty.
What to do on Start Day
- Registrations will be open only from 9:30am – 2:00pm
- Sponsorship
- Please bring cheques or large denomination notes. No coins please.
- Remember that credit card facilities (Visa and Mastercard) are available
- Raffle tickets and money - (sold or unsold tickets). We need all Raffle tickets returned as they are recorded and we have to account for all of them.
- Scrutineering
- First Aid and Sport Physios open at 1pm
- Mandatory briefing will be at 2:45pm (all paddlers and landcrew MUST attend). Paddlers in the 4:00pm start you should attend the briefing ready to enter the water.
Scrutineering Times
Again this year we have allocated specific times for scrutineering.
All boats registered in a class, to stay in right hand scrutineering lane unless told otherwise.
Go to scrutineering as early possible after 10 to help avoid a long queue and the heat later in the day.
Listed below are times according to your start time. If you wish to get your craft scrutineered earlier than the listed time that OK.
Start time Scrutineering Time
4:00, 4:30 & 4.45pm 10:00am – 2:00pm
5:00 & 5:15pm 12:00pm – 1:00pm
5:30 & 5:45pm 1:00pm – 2:00pm
6:00pm 2:00pm – 2:30pm
Checkpoint Cut off Times
- Checkpoint D Sackville Ferry - 23:00 hours
-
Checkpoint I Wiseman’s Ferry 05:00 hours - Checkpoint O Spencer 09:30 hours
Paddlers must have passed through the above checkpoints by the stated times otherwise they must withdraw from the event.
Meeting your Landcrew Outside official Checkpoints
Food along the river
Checkpoint I - Wiseman’s Ferry – While you are waiting for your hero (s) to arrive at this major checkpoint, the NSW Ski Garden has a kiosk
This is the last opportunity to buy a snack before FINISH
FINISH – Enjoy a great breakfast on Sunday morning at Brooklyn with a bacon and egg sandwich cooked by the Scouts.
Security
It is advisable to lock your cars at all times. We strongly suggest that landcrew have a spare key safely in their pocket at all times.
Paddlers Idemenity
Copy of the paddlers idemenity form that you agreed to when you registered for the 2011 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic.
In consideration of being accepted by the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic Association Inc. (the Association) as a participant in The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic:
I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE to the following:
- I am aware of the hazards that may be involved while competing in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic overnight on the Hawkesbury River.
- That the details submitted by me on the entry form are true and accurate.
- That I can swim at least 50 metres unassisted and I have the necessary fitness and ability to paddle the required distance.
- I will correctly wear an approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD) while navigating the Hawkesbury River during the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic.
- I will have an approved whistle and a personal waterproof torch attached to my PFD during the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. I will carry securely an Emergency Blanket either in or on my PFD while competing in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic.
- I will carry sufficient food, water or other suitable drink, a waterproof torch (attached to the boat) and compass so that they are within easy reach whilst in my craft.
- I will have waterproofed and attached to my craft the appropriate course maps that are supplied by the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic Association.
- I will have at least one landcrew who will be available to assist me as required at the start, checkpoints D, I, and the finish.
My craft has sufficient fixed buoyancy to allow it to float upright and horizontal when completely filled with water. - I understand the minimum sponsorship requirements.
- I am responsible for the return of all raffle books and receipts book that are issued to me.
- I will comply with the rules prescribed by the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic.
- Hawkesbury Canoe Classic reserves all right to photos supplied to the Association.
- That the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic reserves the right to alter the advertised course or cancel the event if conditions, in the opinion of the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic officials warrant, with no refunds being issued.
- To hold the Association, its officers, servants, agents and sponsors harmless against loss or injury of any kind incurred or suffered by me arising out of or in conjunction with my participation in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic whether or not such loss or injury shall have been caused or contributed to by any act, omission or negligence of the Association, its officers, servants, agents or sponsors.
- To indemnify the Association, its officers, servants, agents or sponsors against any claim or demand whatsoever made by any person or persons arising out of or in conjunction with my participation in The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic.
- That the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic insurance for the event does not cover me, my equipment or support crew.
- That non-compliance with any of the above conditions will lead to immediate disqualification. I have read and understood the foregoing and acknowledge that if, in the opinion of the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, If I fail to comply with any of the foregoing, I will be disqualified for the event.
Landcrews
Landcrew must attend both Checkpoint D and Checkpoint I, you should not leave these checkpoints until your paddler has passed through.
If you a map of the course and driving instructions. These are available from our web site : http://canoeclassic.asn.au/paddlers/maps.htm#landcrew
Paddlers Maps
Please ensure that you have your paddlers maps. These are available from our web site http://canoeclassic.asn.au/paddlers/maps.htm#paddler
