Rother Raft Race

Rother Raft Race Entry Rules and Craft Specifications

1. The Raft race will commence at Cowdray Ruins and end at Lods Bridge, a distance of 3 3/4 miles. Canoes and Kayaks will be set off prior to the rafts.

2. The Application form must be completed and returned no later than Thursday 25th August 2011. (Late entries by prior agreement of the organisers only)

3. ALL COMPETITORS MUST WEAR LIFE JACKETS – THE RIVER IS DECEPTIVELY DEEP IN PARTS.

4. A number will be allocated and this must be incorporated into the structure of your raft in such a way as to be clearly visible from both banks. The actual starting order within each category will be in order of receipt of entry and fee.

5. An entry of £15.00 per person will be paid and in return each will receive a T-Shirt in the year’s race colours with race logo.

6. ADULTS MUST SELL £30 OF RAFFLE TICKETS IN ADDITION TO THE ENTRY FEE – two man rafts will be allocated 60 tickets and a four man raft 120 tickets at a cost of £1.00 per ticket. All proceeds will go our chosen charities.

7. YOUTHS MUST SELL £20 OF RAFFLE TICKETS IN ADDITION TO THE ENTRY FEE – two youth raft will be allocated 40 tickets and a four youth raft 80 tickets at a cost of £1.00 all proceeds will go our chosen charities.

8. The minimum age for the youth categories is 10 years of age i.e. anyone under the age of 10 (on the day of the race) is not allowed to enter the Rother Raft Race. A Youth participant must be accompanied by an adult. PLEASE NOTE: Nobody under the age of 16 years of age is allowed down the fish ladder. Rother Raft Race participants who are between the ages of 16-17 years on the day of the race are allowed down the fish ladder provided they have written permission from a parent/guardian.

9. The categories for this year’s trophies are as follows:

Rafts -

Category A – Fastest 4 Man

Category B – Fastest 4 Women

Category C – Fastest 4 Adult Mixed

Category D – Fastest 4 Family (1 Youth Must Be Accompanied by 1 Adult)

Category E – Fastest 2 Man

Category F – Fastest 2 Women

Category G – Fastest 2 Adult Mixed

Category H – Fastest 2 Family (1 Youth Must Be Accompanied by 1 Adult)

Kayaks / Canoes -

Category I – Fastest Single

Category J – Fastest Multiple

Further Categories -

Category K – Best Prepared Raft

Category L – Fastest Super Raft

Category M – Fastest Pub Team

Category N – Best fancy dress

10. Floatation: must be achieved by the use of containers or materials in normal commercial or industrial use. E.g. Fertilizer Barrels or Inner Tubes. Unprotected polystyrene is NOT permitted as it may break up and cause river pollution. No toxic materials whatsoever are to be used in any part of the structure. Rafts are to be homemade and not custom built and propelled by single blade paddles. No mechanical means of propulsion is allowed. Rafts must be sat on, not in and no welded bonds are permitted. Rafts must not exceed 6 feet/1.8m in width. Length SHOULD not exceed 15 feet/4.5m. High craft may find it difficult to navigate some stretches of water, which is extremely narrow in parts and has several low bridges spanning it. Each raft must also have a length of rope attached to it, for throwing out to shore, the number must be prominently displayed – see point 3. The raft should carry 2 or 4 people depending on the category entered. ANY streamlined raft or vessels with mechanical steering mechanisms will be assessed as an Open Raft and put into the respective category.

11. Any craft, which in the opinion of the organisers does not meet the above rule, will be entered into the Super Raft category.

12. Any competitors who in the view of the committee are not competing in the spirit of the rules may be disqualified.

13. The throwing of eggs, or other hard or sharp objects/missiles, either by competitors at spectators or by spectators at competitors is strictly not permitted.

14. The general public will not be permitted to stand on the Fish Ladder Bridge.

15. All decisions made by the organisers will be final.

16. All rafts must be removed from the start field/river banks/finish field by the end of the day.

17. The trophies remain the property of THE ROTHER RAFT RACE and MUST be returned to the organisers by June 2012.

18. CHEQUES Should be made payable to ‘THE ROTHER RAFT RACE’.