Lions Charity Raft Race Key Information

National Trust: River Wey Navigation Conditions

RAFT OR CRAFT EVENTS TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-POWERED CRAFT

1. The hull to be constructed from sound materials which will not become waterlogged on immersion at any draught. In general, timber planking GRP or steel of adequate dimensions should be employed.
2. Containers such as oil drums are to be thoroughly cleaned out before incorporation in the hull structure and all openings are to be adequately secured with efficient screwed caps or bungs so that no leakage can occur when afloat.
3. The materials used for constructing the craft or raft and all paintwork or other decoration on the interior or exterior surfaces of the hull and appendages are to be of non-toxic and non-polluting manufacture when in contact with water.
4. The method of securing the various parts of a raft to be such as to give adequate strength. Any lashings to be made from marine quality rope of adequate size and connections must be screwed or welded. No nails to be used and screws to be of adequate length and should not protrude.
5. Each craft or raft should be designed to carry a specific number of persons under stable conditions. In this respect a maximum of eight persons will be allowed.
6. The craft or raft should be designed so as to have sufficient inherent buoyancy to remain afloat in a stable condition with a 50% over-load factor.
7. The weight of the craft or raft to be such that it can be easily carried by the crew alone.
8. In general, the length of the craft or raft not to exceed twice the breadth, excluding outriggers etc.
9. The entire construction to be free from sharp edges, burrs, spikes or other projections.
10. Each raft or craft to carry on its hull above the waterline or on a board rigidly fixed to the hull, its own identifying number in 300 mm high numerals easily legible from each bank of the waterway or its Navigation licence.
11. Each craft or raft to be constructed so as to allow ready escape to all members of the crew in the event of the craft or raft sinking, breaking up or capsizing.
12. During an event safety boats to be present and to be equipped for recovery of rafts or persons. Powered inflatables are not allowed but inflatable dinghies can be secured alongside safety boats fore and aft to provide a soft low level recovery platform.

Raft Race Rules

Guildford Lions Club Charity Raft Race
Saturday 6th July 2024

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
(Guidance, Rules & Requirements)

This year’s theme for crew and raft decoration is

EUROVISION THROUGH THE YEARS

THE RAFT RACE IS HELD IN ASSOCIATION WITH SURREY CARE TRUST’S DUCK RACE AND SUPPORTED BY ZERO CARBON GUILDFORD. THE RAFT RACE IS A FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR THE GUILDFORD LIONS CLUB (CIO) FOR THE BENEFIT OF DESERVING AND CHARITABLE CAUSES IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE DAY IS TO HAVE FUN AND TO RAISE LOTS OF MONEY FOR THOSE CAUSES!

PLEASE PLAY YOUR PART

These conditions of entry include the guidance and rules of the Guildford Lions Club. You should also read the conditions and technical requirements of the River Wey Navigation authority.

1. Introduction
These rules and guidance are to ensure safety and fair play for all and for your team’s personal safety. They will be strictly enforced. Please remember that any water based activity can be dangerous and that whilst every effort will be made to provide rescue facilities, the eventual responsibility for your safety rests with you.

Neither Guildford Lions Club, the River Wey Navigations, or Guildford Borough Council can, or will, accept any responsibility for any loss or damage to persons or property howsoever caused. All entries are accepted on the clear understanding that each person is wholly responsible for his/her own actions and takes part in the event at entirely their own risk.

All entrants will receive a commemorative plaque, and a trophy will awarded by the Mayor for the Best Presented Raft and Crew, and/or for Sportsmanship.

2. Sponsorship

• Each raft entered is expected to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship (£25 for paddleboarders), although most rafts raise considerably more.
• Sponsorship can be collected by Just Giving using the link provided below and in the post entry document. Guildford Lions hope you and your supporters will be able to take advantage of Gift Aid.
• Alternatively you may wish to set up online sponsorship. We have set up a Just Giving page (Guildford Lions Raft Race 2024) that you and your sponsors can use. You can set up your own fund raising page there linked directly to ours.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR SUPPORTERS QUOTE YOUR RAFT NUMBER OR YOUR NAME WHEN MAKING THEIR DONATIONS USING JUST GIVING.

3. Important Rules
a) All crews must sign on at the Lions gazebo on Millmead Lock Island before the start and crew captains must sign their raft off at the finish.
b) Competitors must not dive or jump into the river as the depth of water will vary and sharp or solid objects may be concealed out of sight on the riverbed. Serious injury may result if you fail to comply with this instruction
c) EGGS OR HARD OBJECTS OR WATER-FILLED BALLOONS MUST NOT BE THROWN AS MISSILES – serious injury could arise and any incidents of this nature will be reported to the Police
d) Buckets or water guns carried on rafts must not be used to throw water at spectators or at the Mayor’s launch.
e) Any unruliness, unnecessary boisterousness or other acts endangering the public or other crews before or during the race will result in disqualification.
f) Costumes should accord with the published theme of the event and be decent and appropriate for a public event.
g) Alcohol must not be carried on rafts
h) Competitors are reminded that Town Centre by-laws relating to drink apply at Millmead so you are advised not to consume alcohol before the race.
i) Any injuries, however minor, must be reported to the First Aid staff at the start or finish.
j) Any symptoms of illness after the event should be reported to your doctor.
k) The river is open to other traffic, so try to keep to Starboard (the right of the river).

4. Competitors Safety Instructions
a) All competitors must be able to swim at least 50 metres fully clothed
b) All competitors should wear life jackets in the interest of their own safety
c) All youth competitors aged under 16 years MUST
• produce parent/guardian written consent before the start of the Race;
• wear approved buoyancy aids or life jackets at all times (It is possible to hire life jackets but this must be pre-arranged with the race organisers)
d) All competitors are required to wear suitable protective footwear.
e) Team Captains are responsible for the behaviour of their crew, both on the bank and on water.
f) The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any crew who behaves in such a manner as to constitute a threat to the safety of others or is disruptive prior to the start.
g) The instructions of any official from the Lions Club, Wey Navigation, Sea Cadets, the Ambulance Service, Police or any other authorised body
must be heeded in order to ensure maximum safety to all crews and spectators.
h) Any changes to the Team list shall be notified before the start of the race.

Failure to comply with Safety Instructions and Rules will result in disqualification of the Team

5. Construction
➢ The following are in addition to the River Wey Navigation Authority’s “Technical Requirements for non-powered craft in raft or craft events”. A copy of which is available at www.guildfordlions.com.
➢ Any mast and sail should not exceed 2 metres above the water line.
➢ The raft may be propelled by a paddle (not double ended), rudder, pole or direct drive paddle wheel with no mechanical advantage.
➢ All rafts must be capable of being carried, launched, paddled and recovered from the water (even if sunk) by the crew itself. There will be no additional support available from the organisers or its agents.
➢ Each raft must clearly display its designated Raft Number (300mm high) so that it can be viewed from either side of the river. This number will be allocated upon receipt of the entry fee together with the signed entry form confirming the acceptance of these Rules and Regulations and future payment of the sponsorship money to the Guildford Lions Club (CIO).

THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAFTS IN ANY OF THE CLASSES:

➢ Any proprietary canoe or boat hulls or proprietary boat parts. 2023 only
➢ Foamed polystyrene or any other foamed plastic material that is likely to break up and pollute the river, unless encased in plastic or other suitable material to ensure no possible pollution of the river.
➢ Any material of a toxic nature liable to pollute the river.
➢ Oars, rowlocks and any form of fixed rowing station. (Rafts must be polled or paddled without any attachment to the hull – except paddle-wheels entered in the “human mechanical propulsion” class).
➢ Any form of purely mechanical propulsion with the exception of those entered into Human Mechanical Propulsion class.
➢ Towing from the bank.
➢ No sharp edges, burrs, spikes or any protrusion likely to cause injury to any competitor, spectator or property must be used in construction.

THE GUILDFORD LIONS CLUB RESERVES THE RIGHT TO RECLASSIFY RAFTS AFTER INSPECTION AND IF NECESSARY TO PUT THEM INTO A SPECIAL CATEGORY

If you have any queries about these Conditions, please do not hesitate to contact:
Geoff Sheldon on 07506 900366 or email guildfordlionsraft@gmail.com

DOWNLOADS

Once you have entered the race, please download these IMPORTANT Information Documents