Paddle4Shaw - Event Details

EVENT DETAILS

MAIN EVENT:
A 57 mile non-stop paddle marathon from Northampton to Peterborough Embankment +
For experienced canoeists only the opportunity to continue a further 31mile to reach the sea

The start for this event will be around 00.01 on the 18th July 2009, at Northampton. High tide at the last lock (62½ miles later) is 15.10 so this gives us approx 15hrs to hit the tidal stretch at a beneficial time to us, having the outgoing tide in our favour at a crucial time of fatigue and still another 25½ miles to go. The first few locks will be floodlit for safety until daylight. The tidal stretch will be constantly monitored by motorised craft for any accidents or those who wish to stop at any point. Once out in open water we hope to be picked up by the navy/marines/RNLI however if this is not possible our finishing point will be Sutton Bridge harbour, 1 mile before the open sea.

SHORTER EVENTS: 15m, 22 ½ m, non-stop mini marathons.

The start times and positions will differ on these events depending on which one you choose to enter. However the finishing point for all of these mini marathons will be at the Peterborough Embankment. You will be notified of the relevant details once you have filled in your entry form and marked which distance you wish to paddle.

ALL EVENTS:

All 38 locks will be manned by at least 6 volunteers. They will be there to assist all canoeists in getting out, carrying the canoe around the lock and getting back safely into the water and setting off to the next. Please be patient, this is not a race. We are here to enjoy ourselves and raise as much money as possible for the charities. These volunteers will also be giving out energy drinks, fruit etc to help us on our journey. Each lock will have at least one person with a mobile phone in case of emergency, and medical help will be provided following on at the back so no one gets left or forgotten. Each canoeist will be given an official number which must be on show at all times.

ALL CANOEISTS MUST:

Enter entirely at their own risk.
Supply their own canoe/kayak, paddle, safety gear and safety flotation device.
Make their own transport arrangements to and from their start and finish points.
Check in with the official at every start point and hand in their start sheet.
Check in with every official at all locks and at the finish checkpoint where they must collect their stamped certificate as proof of completion.
Display their official number at all times on themselves and their canoe/kayak