Cheshunt (HYMB) Winter Series marathon
Date: 15 December 2019
Schedule:
10:00 - Check-in opens
11:30 - Race Briefing
12:00 - Start
15:00 - Prizegiving
Distances:
Group 1 (classes 6-9) - 7 miles - 4 portages
Group 2 (classes 2-5) - 5 miles - 4 portages
Group 3 (class 1, blue, red, GP, yellow) - 3 miles - 2 portages
Schedule:
10:00 - Check-in opens
11:30 - Race Briefing
12:00 - Start
15:00 - Prizegiving
Distances:
Group 1 (classes 6-9) - 7 miles - 4 portages
Group 2 (classes 2-5) - 5 miles - 4 portages
Group 3 (class 1, blue, red, GP, yellow) - 3 miles - 2 portages
RACE UPDATE - Sat 14/12/2019 14:24
- The recent rain has made river levels high - which is likely to make portaging easier. The Lea has a flood relief channel which means that the flow is not affected and thus there is no cause for concern. The weather forecast is dry.
- Roadworks (and confusing diversion signage) are present in the area around the Base - see the foot of the page for detail.
Race entries: If you are part of a club team, your Team Leader will place your entry. Registered Team Leaders and Independent paddlers should send race entries to Secretary@FlatwaterRacing.org.uk by 12 noon Saturday. To register as a Team Leader or Independent paddler for the current series, see the WS Registration page.
Race Organiser: Martin Davies. Pre-race queries can be emailed.
Safety Notes:
All participants must be aware that canoeing and kayaking is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk.
Event Safety Officer - Chris Johnson, supported by Lea van der Neit
Risk Assessment download
Safety Plan download
The race itself takes place on the River Lea, and there is good visibility for spectators along the towpath. Due to difficulties with portaging at Carthagena Lock, the long course now turns before Carthagena Lock.
Booking in, refreshments and changing facilities are located at Herts Young Mariners Base (HYMB). Users of HYMB are reminded that on centre property:
Safety Notes:
All participants must be aware that canoeing and kayaking is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk.
Event Safety Officer - Chris Johnson, supported by Lea van der Neit
Risk Assessment download
Safety Plan download
The race itself takes place on the River Lea, and there is good visibility for spectators along the towpath. Due to difficulties with portaging at Carthagena Lock, the long course now turns before Carthagena Lock.
Booking in, refreshments and changing facilities are located at Herts Young Mariners Base (HYMB). Users of HYMB are reminded that on centre property:
- Footwear must be worn.
- Boats must be carried by at least 2 persons.
Portaging:
If river levels are low, some of the portages become difficult and smaller competitors or those with restricted mobility may encounter problems getting out of their boats at Cheshunt Lock (first lock which is portaged by all classes). Assistance may be offered to them to stabilise their boat and recover / lower their boat into the water. The portage downstream of Cheshunt lock is lower on the bollarded section further from the lock, although it adds a few metres to the distance being portaged.
All paddlers (and anyone assisting them) must take care not to obstruct the tow path with their boats or paddles (the tow path is a right of way) - this is a condition from Canal & River Trust
As stated in the Winter Series Rules, paddlers may receive assistance at portages if they need it (typically u14s/u12s, and Paddle-Ability paddlers), but
If river levels are low, some of the portages become difficult and smaller competitors or those with restricted mobility may encounter problems getting out of their boats at Cheshunt Lock (first lock which is portaged by all classes). Assistance may be offered to them to stabilise their boat and recover / lower their boat into the water. The portage downstream of Cheshunt lock is lower on the bollarded section further from the lock, although it adds a few metres to the distance being portaged.
All paddlers (and anyone assisting them) must take care not to obstruct the tow path with their boats or paddles (the tow path is a right of way) - this is a condition from Canal & River Trust
As stated in the Winter Series Rules, paddlers may receive assistance at portages if they need it (typically u14s/u12s, 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
Dogs:
No dogs, except guide dogs, are permitted within HYMB grounds.
(In previous years, the Centre duty manager has agreed that this can be waived for this race, subject to dogs being kept on a lead whilst on site and clear up after them. We have not been given this dispensation this year.)
No dogs, except guide dogs, are permitted within HYMB grounds.
(In previous years, the Centre duty manager has agreed that this can be waived for this race, subject to dogs being kept on a lead whilst on site and clear up after them. We have not been given this dispensation this year.)
Location & Parking:
Herts Young Mariners Base, Windmill Lane, Cheshunt, Herts EN8 9AJ
From M25 J25, go north on A10, straight over first roundabout to junction with traffic lights. Turn right here towards Cheshunt, and at roundabout (with fountain) turn left, then immediately right into Windmill Lane, heading for Cheshunt Station.
Follow the signs for the Station / Youth Hostel
At Cheshunt station, go over the level crossing, then after 100M you go over a bridge, and bear left.
You will see two gates in front of you: the right gate is for Herts Young Mariners Base.
Car parking is available within the HYMB grounds. Trailers and cars carrying kayaks should unload them in the public car park adjacent to the river (Pindar car park), and then park in the HYMB car park. A HYMB Marshall will be present in the car park to direct you. We have arranged to have the height barrier to the Pindar car park raised on the day so that vehicles with boats on top or trailers can enter the car park.
PLEASE NOTE:
Delamere Road is currently CLOSED to traffic. If approaching the via Cadmore Lane you will need to take an alternative route (avoiding Delamere Road) to reach the Base.
If you are approaching the Base along Windmill Lane, you will encounter a sign which tells you that "the road ahead is closed" and invites you to take a diversion. Do NOT take the diversion. Windmill Lane is open and is still your route to the Base.
Herts Young Mariners Base, Windmill Lane, Cheshunt, Herts EN8 9AJ
From M25 J25, go north on A10, straight over first roundabout to junction with traffic lights. Turn right here towards Cheshunt, and at roundabout (with fountain) turn left, then immediately right into Windmill Lane, heading for Cheshunt Station.
Follow the signs for the Station / Youth Hostel
At Cheshunt station, go over the level crossing, then after 100M you go over a bridge, and bear left.
You will see two gates in front of you: the right gate is for Herts Young Mariners Base.
Car parking is available within the HYMB grounds. Trailers and cars carrying kayaks should unload them in the public car park adjacent to the river (Pindar car park), and then park in the HYMB car park. A HYMB Marshall will be present in the car park to direct you. We have arranged to have the height barrier to the Pindar car park raised on the day so that vehicles with boats on top or trailers can enter the car park.
PLEASE NOTE:
Delamere Road is currently CLOSED to traffic. If approaching the via Cadmore Lane you will need to take an alternative route (avoiding Delamere Road) to reach the Base.
If you are approaching the Base along Windmill Lane, you will encounter a sign which tells you that "the road ahead is closed" and invites you to take a diversion. Do NOT take the diversion. Windmill Lane is open and is still your route to the Base.
General:
Please make sure that you have also read rules, safety notes and booking-in instructions on the main Winter Series page.
Please make sure that you have also read rules, safety notes and booking-in instructions on the main Winter Series page.
