Cambridge Winter Series marathon
Additional Safety Note for those in Classes 1-25, who portage at Jesus Lock [Friday 1/12/2023 19:12]:
There are some engineering works going on at Jesus Lock at the moment. A section along the towpath is fenced off - although easily passable, yet it creates a tunnel which may be dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists who also use the path.
Additionally, the narrow stairs down to the river are slippery, and the concrete edging along the river is subsiding and coming away from the bank. As a result, the Race Organiser has decided to make Jesus Lock a walking portage and and will post additional marshals there. For photos see this PDF.
There are some engineering works going on at Jesus Lock at the moment. A section along the towpath is fenced off - although easily passable, yet it creates a tunnel which may be dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists who also use the path.
Additionally, the narrow stairs down to the river are slippery, and the concrete edging along the river is subsiding and coming away from the bank. As a result, the Race Organiser has decided to make Jesus Lock a walking portage and and will post additional marshals there. For photos see this PDF.
Date: 3 December 2023
Schedule:
10:00-10:45 - Check-in
11:15 - Race Briefing
12:00 - Race start
14:15 - Prize-giving
Distances:
Group 1: Classes 1-10 - 7 miles - 4 portages
Group 2: Classes 20-25 - 5 miles - 4 portages
Group 3: Classes 30-39 - 3 miles - 2 portages
See the main Winter Series page for the list of classes
Schedule:
10:00-10:45 - Check-in
11:15 - Race Briefing
12:00 - Race start
14:15 - Prize-giving
Distances:
Group 1: Classes 1-10 - 7 miles - 4 portages
Group 2: Classes 20-25 - 5 miles - 4 portages
Group 3: Classes 30-39 - 3 miles - 2 portages
See the main Winter Series page for the list of classes
Course:
Assistance at portages:
As stated in the Winter Series Rules, paddlers may receive assistance at portages if they need it (typically u14s/u12s, GPs, and Paddle-Ability paddlers), but
As stated in the Winter Series Rules, paddlers may receive assistance at portages if they need it (typically u14s/u12s, GPs, and Paddle-Ability paddlers), but
- helpers must walk only, carrying only the rear end of the boat (the front end of the boat and paddle must be carried by the competitor)
- assisted competitors must give way to unassisted competitors
- parents/supporters must not crowd the portage (they may be asked to move by race officials to a safer position if they are obstructing other competitors or other users of the tow path) or enable their paddlers to queue-jump
- helpers must use safe lifting & handling techniques - involvement is at your own risk
Race entries:
Let your Team Leader know you would like to enter, and find out if they will place your entry or whether you should do it yourself.
Entries should be made through the Marathon Racing entries system at https://entries.gbcanoemarathon.co.uk/entries
The online booking system will close just before midnight on Friday 1 December.
Payments for entries are made as cash on the day (alternatively, as cheque made out to Flatwater Racing Association).
Note: All paddlers must be current BC members (personal or Club Associate), or must additionally purchase BC Event Insurance ("Day Ticket" - £5 cash).
Please send any queries about entries to Secretary@FlatwaterRacing.org.uk
Let your Team Leader know you would like to enter, and find out if they will place your entry or whether you should do it yourself.
Entries should be made through the Marathon Racing entries system at https://entries.gbcanoemarathon.co.uk/entries
The online booking system will close just before midnight on Friday 1 December.
Payments for entries are made as cash on the day (alternatively, as cheque made out to Flatwater Racing Association).
Note: All paddlers must be current BC members (personal or Club Associate), or must additionally purchase BC Event Insurance ("Day Ticket" - £5 cash).
Please send any queries about entries to Secretary@FlatwaterRacing.org.uk
The Winter Series welcomes Paddle-Ability competitors (those with disability/impairment or long-term disabling illness, whether physical, sensory, or intellectual). The entry system does not collect this information - to be eligible for a "first Paddle-Ability" medal in each class, or to be allowed to "paddle down" to a more suitable age class, the team leader should contact Secretary@FlatwaterRacing.org.uk in advance of the first race of the series that the paddler will attend.
Responsibilities:
- Race Organiser - Peter Fish racing@cambridgecanoeclub.org.uk
- Event Safety Coordinator - Peter Fish
- First Aid Coordinator - Andy Payne
- Welfare - Ali Limentani
Safety:
All participants must be aware that canoeing and kayaking is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk.
General safety notes and Race Rules which apply to the whole series can be found on the main Winter Series page
In addition, please note that
All participants must be aware that canoeing and kayaking is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk.
General safety notes and Race Rules which apply to the whole series can be found on the main Winter Series page
In addition, please note that
- Paddlers must ensure that their boats have sufficient buoyancy to support the boat and crew in the event of capsizing. Boats will be checked.
- All competitors must be able to swim 50m in canoe clothing.
Safety Documents:
Boat Storage:
Boats should be stored either side of the path leaving sufficient room to get to both boats and the river. There is limited room on the river bank in front of the clubhouse, so please do not come forward until you are ready to launch. On completion of the race competitors are requested to move their boats to grassed area between the club and car park as soon as possible.
Boats should be stored either side of the path leaving sufficient room to get to both boats and the river. There is limited room on the river bank in front of the clubhouse, so please do not come forward until you are ready to launch. On completion of the race competitors are requested to move their boats to grassed area between the club and car park as soon as possible.
Environmental issues:
Please note that the issues with the invasive Floating Pennywort have been lessened by the work of the Cam Valley Forum and Cambridge CC but are not completely eliminated. All visiting paddlers should thoroughly clean their boats before leaving Cambridge to ensure that you do not transfer this problem back to you home waters.
Please note that the issues with the invasive Floating Pennywort have been lessened by the work of the Cam Valley Forum and Cambridge CC but are not completely eliminated. All visiting paddlers should thoroughly clean their boats before leaving Cambridge to ensure that you do not transfer this problem back to you home waters.
Location & Parking:
Booking in & launching will take place at Cambridge Canoe Club clubhouse, Lammas Lane, Sheep's Green, Newnham, Cambridge.
See map on club website: https://www.cambridgecanoeclub.org.uk/index.php/about-us/where-is-the-club
Use postcode CB3 9PA.
The preferred route is to leave the M11 at junction 12 and travel towards Cambridge on the A603. After entering the 30mph speed restriction when the road reaches Cambridge, the road bends sharp left and Lammas Lane (marked "Driftway" on Googlemaps) is on the right, but note that there is no access into it from this direction, so competitors will need to carry onto the roundabout and then return along the A603 and turn left onto Lammas Lane.
At the end of the lane is a small public car park. On-street parking in the area is now part of a residents-only scheme, so alternatives are limited. Please be considerate when parking and work with others to get maximum usage of the car park. The car park is controlled by a steel ramp and height restriction; the ramp should lower at 8am and the club will open the height restriction at 9am. The height restriction will be closed 2hrs after the last competitor has finished the race. Also please note that some spaces are marked for disabled drivers.
Lammas Land car park charges: 2hrs £2, 4hrs £4.80, 5hrs £9. The maximum stay on a Sunday is 5 hrs. The machines take cards or the JustPark ap.
Additional car parking is available on the roads in the surrounding area but some of this is subject to metered fees.
The club house is about 100 yards away from the Lammas Lane car park on the main river bank.
Booking in & launching will take place at Cambridge Canoe Club clubhouse, Lammas Lane, Sheep's Green, Newnham, Cambridge.
See map on club website: https://www.cambridgecanoeclub.org.uk/index.php/about-us/where-is-the-club
Use postcode CB3 9PA.
The preferred route is to leave the M11 at junction 12 and travel towards Cambridge on the A603. After entering the 30mph speed restriction when the road reaches Cambridge, the road bends sharp left and Lammas Lane (marked "Driftway" on Googlemaps) is on the right, but note that there is no access into it from this direction, so competitors will need to carry onto the roundabout and then return along the A603 and turn left onto Lammas Lane.
At the end of the lane is a small public car park. On-street parking in the area is now part of a residents-only scheme, so alternatives are limited. Please be considerate when parking and work with others to get maximum usage of the car park. The car park is controlled by a steel ramp and height restriction; the ramp should lower at 8am and the club will open the height restriction at 9am. The height restriction will be closed 2hrs after the last competitor has finished the race. Also please note that some spaces are marked for disabled drivers.
Lammas Land car park charges: 2hrs £2, 4hrs £4.80, 5hrs £9. The maximum stay on a Sunday is 5 hrs. The machines take cards or the JustPark ap.
Additional car parking is available on the roads in the surrounding area but some of this is subject to metered fees.
The club house is about 100 yards away from the Lammas Lane car park on the main river bank.
General:
Please make sure that you have also read the rules, safety notes and booking in instructions on the main Winter Series page.
Please make sure that you have also read the rules, safety notes and booking in instructions on the main Winter Series page.
