C2C Kayaking - updated 20th April
Upon consultation with Open Adventure's safety advisors for the Coast to Coast adventure race we have revised the requirements for boats / competitor skills in this event.
Route
The full route of the event will be published by the end of May at the latest. However to give you an idea of what is the most appropriate boat to use we feel its important to tell you what we have planned for the paddling stages. Please note we have not finalised permissions / exact transition locations. We would ask you to exercise discretion if you decide to recce these locations.As guidance for this event we will not run a stage if the conditions exceed force 4. We may still not run the stage even within a force 3 (e.g. offshore wind), judgement by the safety officer will be made on the day of the event. Either the event Director or the Safety officer can decide to cancel the stage.
- Sea Kayak (day 1) - our original plan was for you to follow Wainwrights C2C route around St Bees head from St Bees to Whitehaven unfortunately the tide is running the wrong way! so the start will be from Whitehaven and the first leg will be a sea paddle to St Bees. If conditions are not suitable for the paddle you will run along the coastal path. There is little opportunity to beach on the entire paddle with steep cliffs - hence why we are keen to see you stay in your boats.
- Buttermere / Crummock (day 1) - you will paddle these two lakes one after the other. There is a significant portage between the two lakes and pending transition location to and from the start. Please take particular note for those hiring boats, you should either buy a portage trolley or be prepared to take your time when carrying the boats - otherwise you could be up for a significant bill if you drag the boats. Please note if you decide to paddle either of these lakes prior to the event a permit is required.
- Thirlmere (day 2) - Early morning from North to South
- Ullswater (day 2) - From South to North. Pending conditions we may impose restrictions on the route you may take up the lake.
There is no further paddling on the coast to coast event. Competitors who have hired boats from Windermere Canoe and Kayak will be relived of these at the North End of Ullswater.
Boats
We have split boats up in to two categories (standard / elite), the category of boat used will define the skill requirements of the paddlers. Teams must use tandem seated boats not two seperate boats and all competitors will have to transport boats on your support vehicle.All boats
- Be greater than 3.7m in length (doubles and singles)
- Kayaks must have deck lines fitted with front and rear handles, SOT should have grab handles, and self bailing boats like a Surf Ski should have a towing point like a foot strap.
- Solos can not use plastic Sit On Top (SOT) kayaks [changed 24/8 to accommodate ski's]
- Boats must either be self bailers (SOT's or Surf Skis) or have sealed bulkheads front and rear (Sea Kayaks) - Open Canoes can not be used
- Boats should be recognised designs - no homemade boats on this event please.
- Closed cockpit boats should have spraydecks fitted (please note these are not supplied with Necky's hired from WCK).
- Kites / Sails can not be used
Elite boats will be defined by width
- Double kayaks under 60cm width
- Solo kayaks under 55cm width
Competitors
Experience in the prevailing conditions should be current within the previous 3 months. Pending conditions we will consider running a short test prior to the start of the sea paddle (10-15 min loop) - please do not be under any illusion that if you fail to complete the test or the safety staff have any concerns about your ability you will not be able to take on this stage. You will have to run to the next transition and will be awarded 125% of the slowest kayak time, you will not be disqualified or be ranked in a different table.Requirements for Solos and one of the pair paddling in the team category.
- Paddling Standard boats require a minimum of the 2 star UKCC qualification or a 3 star in a kayak discipline in the old BCU system.
- Paddling Elite boats require a minimum of the 3 star UKCC (or 4 star in the old BCU system) qualification in a kayak discipline.
The above is non-negotiable. Certification has to be proven either by sending a copy of the certificate to us at Open Adventure, complete a course with Windermere Canoe and Kayak or ultimately bringing a copy of your certificate to registration at the event. We don't recommend the last option as you won't be able to paddle if you forget the certificate - its messy and unpleasant.
note we HIGHLY recommend that the second competitor in a pair also has at least the 2 star UKCC qualification.
Equipment
Competitors are required to wear / carry- Personal Floatation Device (PFD) to be worn before entering the water
- Kayaking approved helmet as directed by the safety officer (likely to be required for the sea paddle).
- Whistle attached to PFD and accessible
- A Compass to be accessible
- One orange or red smoke flare or pack of mini flares per boat
- Paddle leash as directed by the safety officer
Conclusion
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask WE WOULD rather deal with queries in the months before the event than at Whitehaven Harbour. Please do not put yourself or us in awkward position on the day of the event - we will stand by the statements listed above.If you in doubt about which category your boat is in please contact us and we will clarify (and add it to the list below).
We will update the website nearer the event date with details of what competitors are expected to do in the event on a emergency or a problem on the water.
James Thurlow (Open Adventure)
Matt Stidson (Windermere Canoe and Kayak)
Example list of standard boats
- Necky Amruck Sea Kayak
- Malibu 2 Sit On Top
- Prijon Barracuda
Example list of elite boats
- Nelo Waterman
- Epic Surf ski