7 Lakes Country Park © Gary Smith 2010
The Rules
Major changes for 2010.
Maximum 40 Entries.
Entries open May 1st @ 09:00 hrs
Entries close July 12th @ 16:00 hrs.
Only homemade barrel design rafts allowed.
Maximum 4 persons per raft.
7 Lakes Raft Challenge Rules 24th July 2010
General information
1. The 7 Lakes Raft Race 2010 will be held to raise money for The Help for Heroes charity. An entry fee of £10.00 per raft and any sponsorship monies raised by raft teams taking part will be donated to this charity. Entry forms will be available from Reception at 7 Lakes Country Park from 1st May 2010 at 09:00 hrs and must be returned on or before 16:00 hrs 12th July 2010. If the entry is full before that time filling the 40 available places then the entry will close at that time. Watch the website for updates.
2. Teams will have been allocated a start time for their heats. They must be ready to paddle 15 minutes before that time. We recommend arrival at the launch ramp at least 1 hour before the event start time of 14:00 hrs
The Raft
1. All rafts will be inspected by the Scrutineers, whose decisions on admissibility will be final. This will take place at 12:30 hrs.
2. Rafts must be self built and include barrels in their construction. No more than 2.4 metres in width and have maximum crew of 4 persons. No Purpose Built Moulded Catamarans And Must Only Powered By Oars! Entrants will need to carry their raft from the assembly/scrutineering area to launching (up to 50m).
3. The following materials must not be used in the construction of any raft:
polystyrene or other expanded foams:
containers previously used for any toxic or otherwise dangerous materials - if in doubt,
enquire with the organisers.
4. Each raft may have a support team to assist in launching and recovery.
5. All crews and support teams must obey the instructions of the Organisers, Marshalls and Rescue Services. Failure to co-operate will result in disqualification.
6. All rafts must have a tube or post to attach a pole and flag with a number which will be supplied by the organisers.
Booking in
1. Rafts must be launched and secured to or on the bank and ready to race before 13:30 hrs and made ready for scrutineering which will take place between 12:30 hrs and 13:45 hrs.
2. Teams should then book in at Race Control situated in the paddock area after launching. If any team members are under 18, then parental consent if not already given will be required. If entry fees have not been paid already, then they will need to be paid at this point. At booking in, the team captain will need to report to Race Control to confirm “on the water” and obtain race start times. Sponsorship money can also be paid in if already collected.
Briefing & Marshalling
1. Any crew failing to report in good time may miss their heat. It may be possible to reschedule a race later but any results will not be taken forward into the semi-final or final. This rescheduling cannot be guaranteed and will depend upon event timing and weather.
2. Before any crew can participate in a race, the Captain (or any substitute Captain) must attend a briefing by the Lake Ranger; this will be held in the paddock by the launch jetty prior to the event start at 13:45 hrs
Race Procedure
1. Rafts will be raced in heats of 10 rafts; the winning two teams from each heat will go forward to the next round to end up with two rafts then after the knockout rounds the two remaining rafts will compete for the 7 Lakes Cup.
2. Races will be started at intervals of about 15 minutes, depending upon numbers and conditions. The course will run on a predefined route utilising a section of the Jet Ski course.
3. In the event of an incident requiring rescue racing will stopped being signalled by a red waved flag and air horn. Any rafts still on the course must pull in to the bank and wait for the course to re-open for racing and return to the start line for a race re-run.
4. The Organisers reserve the right to vary this format to accord with weather conditions, the number of entries, or other factors which may occur on the day.
Starting
1. Rafts should be positioned as instructed by the Start Marshal; when the rafts are in position, the Starter will call “Attention”; and then the race will be started by air horn.
2. Any crew starting before the sounding of the horn will be disqualified.
3. Race finish will be signalled by a chequered flag.
Race Conduct
1. Competing crews should not consume alcohol before their events. Any crew taking alcohol or fireworks onto a raft will be immediately disqualified from the event.
2. Crews must do their best to follow a straight course (except when turning) overtaking manoeuvres can carried out at either side as long as the forward raft is not deliberately impeded.
3. Crews should ensure that at least a metre of clear water is maintained between the structure of their raft (i.e., not including the paddles) and any other raft. Crews must stop paddling or reverse as required to avoid any collision.
4. Any raft deliberately or recklessly impeding another (including swerving to prevent overtaking) will be disqualified. In the event of loss of control, a crew will be required to take all possible measures to avoid impeding any other raft.
5. CREWS WHILST ON THE WATER MUST FOLLOW ANY INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY THE MARSHALS OR RESCUE JET SKI PILOTS.
1. The 7 Lakes Raft Race 2010 will be held to raise money for The Help for Heroes charity. An entry fee of £10.00 per raft and any sponsorship monies raised by raft teams taking part will be donated to this charity. Entry forms will be available from Reception at 7 Lakes Country Park from 1st May 2010 at 09:00 hrs and must be returned on or before 16:00 hrs 12th July 2010. If the entry is full before that time filling the 40 available places then the entry will close at that time. Watch the website for updates.
2. Teams will have been allocated a start time for their heats. They must be ready to paddle 15 minutes before that time. We recommend arrival at the launch ramp at least 1 hour before the event start time of 14:00 hrs
The Raft
1. All rafts will be inspected by the Scrutineers, whose decisions on admissibility will be final. This will take place at 12:30 hrs.
2. Rafts must be self built and include barrels in their construction. No more than 2.4 metres in width and have maximum crew of 4 persons. No Purpose Built Moulded Catamarans And Must Only Powered By Oars! Entrants will need to carry their raft from the assembly/scrutineering area to launching (up to 50m).
3. The following materials must not be used in the construction of any raft:
polystyrene or other expanded foams:
containers previously used for any toxic or otherwise dangerous materials - if in doubt,
enquire with the organisers.
4. Each raft may have a support team to assist in launching and recovery.
5. All crews and support teams must obey the instructions of the Organisers, Marshalls and Rescue Services. Failure to co-operate will result in disqualification.
6. All rafts must have a tube or post to attach a pole and flag with a number which will be supplied by the organisers.
Booking in
1. Rafts must be launched and secured to or on the bank and ready to race before 13:30 hrs and made ready for scrutineering which will take place between 12:30 hrs and 13:45 hrs.
2. Teams should then book in at Race Control situated in the paddock area after launching. If any team members are under 18, then parental consent if not already given will be required. If entry fees have not been paid already, then they will need to be paid at this point. At booking in, the team captain will need to report to Race Control to confirm “on the water” and obtain race start times. Sponsorship money can also be paid in if already collected.
Briefing & Marshalling
1. Any crew failing to report in good time may miss their heat. It may be possible to reschedule a race later but any results will not be taken forward into the semi-final or final. This rescheduling cannot be guaranteed and will depend upon event timing and weather.
2. Before any crew can participate in a race, the Captain (or any substitute Captain) must attend a briefing by the Lake Ranger; this will be held in the paddock by the launch jetty prior to the event start at 13:45 hrs
Race Procedure
1. Rafts will be raced in heats of 10 rafts; the winning two teams from each heat will go forward to the next round to end up with two rafts then after the knockout rounds the two remaining rafts will compete for the 7 Lakes Cup.
2. Races will be started at intervals of about 15 minutes, depending upon numbers and conditions. The course will run on a predefined route utilising a section of the Jet Ski course.
3. In the event of an incident requiring rescue racing will stopped being signalled by a red waved flag and air horn. Any rafts still on the course must pull in to the bank and wait for the course to re-open for racing and return to the start line for a race re-run.
4. The Organisers reserve the right to vary this format to accord with weather conditions, the number of entries, or other factors which may occur on the day.
Starting
1. Rafts should be positioned as instructed by the Start Marshal; when the rafts are in position, the Starter will call “Attention”; and then the race will be started by air horn.
2. Any crew starting before the sounding of the horn will be disqualified.
3. Race finish will be signalled by a chequered flag.
Race Conduct
1. Competing crews should not consume alcohol before their events. Any crew taking alcohol or fireworks onto a raft will be immediately disqualified from the event.
2. Crews must do their best to follow a straight course (except when turning) overtaking manoeuvres can carried out at either side as long as the forward raft is not deliberately impeded.
3. Crews should ensure that at least a metre of clear water is maintained between the structure of their raft (i.e., not including the paddles) and any other raft. Crews must stop paddling or reverse as required to avoid any collision.
4. Any raft deliberately or recklessly impeding another (including swerving to prevent overtaking) will be disqualified. In the event of loss of control, a crew will be required to take all possible measures to avoid impeding any other raft.
5. CREWS WHILST ON THE WATER MUST FOLLOW ANY INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY THE MARSHALS OR RESCUE JET SKI PILOTS.
Rafts should be constructed using basic materials in keeping with the spirit of the event. Remember it is meant to be a fun event for competitors and spectators alike! Below is a picture of a typical raft built using barrels and ladders. If in doubt contact us rather than arrive and not be allowed to take part.
