Richmond Hasler Marathon 2023

Richmond Canoe Club are pleased to welcome paddlers back for our annual race on the River Thames at Ham, Richmond-upon-Thames.

This event will be run under the 2023 Marathon Racing Rules.

Parking/ Directions

Directions from Richmond: follow road signs to Petersham/Kingston then brown signs for Ham House to car park or signs for CANOE RACE

For Satnav use post code TW10 7RS. This will take you to the Ham House stables; carry straight on for the race parking.

Parking will be available on the Ham Riverside Pitches, turn left after passing Ham House stables. Access is controlled by lockable barriers, which will be locked at 3:30pm so all cars must have vacated the area by this time. Please do not park in the main car park by the river, as this is for use by visitors to Ham House.

Provisional Timings (tbc)

09.00 Check in opens

09:45 Briefing for all Geoff Sanders Mini K1 and K2

10:00 Geoff Sanders Mini K1 and K2 starts

10:15 Briefing for all other races

11:00 Hasler Divisional Starts @ 2-min intervals

13:00 Prize giving

Food & Drink

Light refreshments will be provided for all competitors after the races.

Other food and drink will be available for purchase.

Prizes

Prizes will be provided for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each quorate race and all Geoff Sanders series races.

Provisional Courses

Hasler Divisional courses will be based on a 6.5km circuit between Glovers Island (downstream race starts) and Teddington Lock.

• Divisions 1-3 – 3 laps, no portages
• Divisions 4-6 – 2 laps, no portages
• Divisions 7-9 – 1 lap, no portages

Starts and Finishes will be facing downstream at Ham Riverside Car Park. There will be a dedicated finish lane marked by a buoy which you must enter for your time to be recorded. Please do not enter the finishing lane on any other preceding laps!

Geoff Sanders Under 14 races will race a 4km course around Glovers island and Eel Pie island.

Facilities

Portaloos will be available on site but we regret there are no showers or changing facilities available.

If you require disabled parking or toilet facilities please let us know in advance by email.

Results

Provisional results will be published live to www.richmondcanoeclub.com on the day in a mobile-accessible format. Final results will be published on the club website and the Marathon Canoeing site within 7 days following the race.

RACE NOTES
This event will be run under the Marathon Racing Rules, as per the 2023 Handbook.

Number Boards London & South East region number boards will be supplied to all competitors and must be used.

Buoyancy Aids Compulsory for all paddlers ranked in Division 7, 8 and 9 irrespective of the class entered. This applies across age categories and in singles and doubles.

All juniors must wear buoyancy aids with the exception of paddlers ranked in Division 6 and above where the paddler’s Team Leader/parent has agreed that a buoyancy aid need not be worn.

Where this is the case the team leader/ parent must sign a waiver form at the check in desk to exempt juniors that they consider need not wear buoyancy aids. Juniors who have not been exempted by their team leader/ parent and who attempt to start without a buoyancy aid will be immediately disqualified.

Team leaders should decide if other paddlers should wear them according to prevailing conditions. The race organisers may request that all or some paddlers in addition to the above may need to wear buoyancy aids, the race organisers’ decision is final.

Team leaders/individuals must also bring to the race organisers’ attention any competitors 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 these competitors.

Boat Buoyancy Competitors must render their boats sufficiently buoyant to remain afloat and support the crew in rough water in the event of a capsize. Marshalls may inspect boats at any time for adequate buoyancy. The penalty for any non-compliant boat is disqualification of the crew.

Retirements All competitors who fail to finish must report to a Marshal and inform them of their boat number and the fact that they have retired.

Briefing All competitors must attend the race briefing on the day, where up to date course information, hazards and obstructions will be made available, in addition to reading this briefing document.

Starts All boats need to be on the water at least 15minutes before the advertised start time.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES

The race organizers reserve the right to CANCEL the event up to and including on the day in the case of incident, emergency or conditions. We will do our best to notify team leaders but please check the website for the latest information.

Should circumstances require the ABANDONMENT of the race whilst in progress, the following procedure will apply and will be strictly adhered to:

Crews on hearing continuous short blasts on air horns and/or seeing marshals waving red flags will immediately STOP. They will wait to be instructed on how and where to proceed by a marshal. Crews must be aware that other crews may not have heard or seen the warnings, and must pass on instructions received to any such crew who they see still racing.

Depending on crews’ locations, whether or not the Race has started and the number of crews still being marshalled, they may be asked to either paddle to a specified get-out point, or turn towards one of the banks and await further instructions.

Competitors should be aware that the River Thames can be busy with pleasure cruisers, rowers and other craft. Competitors must be mindful of these and other hazards. Competitors must follow all instructions given by Port of London Authority crew, Thames Lock Keepers, Environment Agency Officials and Race Marshals.

Below Teddington Lock the river is semi-tidal and experiences two tides a day. As a consequence this may make the access area and banks slippery. Care should be taken while getting in and out. High water is expected at 03:37 BST and again at 16:01 BST, with low water at 10:43 BST. The racing will take place between the high water times where there is no tidal flow (only river flow).

Competitors must provide support to any other paddler in distress and should attempt to raise the attention of one of the safety boats or Marshals along the course.

The Tidal 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.

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.

Please use this telephone number to report any emergencies on the day – (number tbc). Please do not use this for any other purposes.