TAY DESCENT INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS Saturday 25 October 2014

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1 TAY DESCENT INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS Saturday 25 October 2014 The Tay Descent is part of: Perth Leisure Pool and the Dewars Centre, PH2 0TH. We are proud to be part of the celebrations for Homecoming Scotland SCA Tay Descent - Information for Participants Version 4: September 2014 Page 1 of 11

2 WELCOME Welcome to the fifth year of the Tay Descent. We are delighted that you have chosen to take part, and are aware that some will be travelling long distances to be part of this weekend. The event unites paddlers across all disciplines. The event is a tour or a race (so you can choose what you would like to achieve) down the biggest-volume river in Britain. It has as some of the best scenery (particularly at this time of year in the autumn). There are two courses: the Long Course of 38 km (24 miles) from Dunkeld to Perth; and the Short Course of 11 km (7 miles) from Stanley Mills to Perth. The Long course passes through several rapids; the Short Course through only one, which is near the start. We hope you will also visit An Fhèis Mhòr, Scotland s Festival of Paddlesport in Perth during the weekend. We ve a whole range of talks and workshops as well as the usual manufacturers and retailers. This year we have the use of Perth Leisure Pool, adjacent to the main venue at Dewars. In the pool we will have slalom, polo and come-and-trys as well as other demonstrations. We will also have an indoor kayaking ergo challenge so why not have a go at that too while you are Perth. Admission to An Fhèis Mhòr is free. KEY INFORMATION For those of you who paddled last year, you ll find that the organisation is very similar to We ve moved the start times to be later to give people more time to get organised on the morning and the venue for the prizegiving (and the Festival of Paddlesport) is the Dewars Centre, Perth (not at Bells Sports Centre). We are organising shuttle buses before the paddle down the river but not afterwards this is based on previously noted demand. Key things: You need to register and pay for the event via the SCA website. Please work out your logistics including whether or not you want to book shuttle bus tickets before you complete the online registration. That way you can book everything in one go. You need to check in to pick up your event pack on Friday pm or Saturday am. If you cannot do this in person then please nominate a friend to do this on your behalf ensuring that they have everything they need (proof of membership if applicable etc.) You need to get your boat to the appropriate Start on the Saturday morning. If you do not have a driver/lift you should move your vehicle to the Finish before you paddle down. You will also need to get yourself back to the Start for which you can book our shuttle bus. You need to get scrutineered at the Start. Finally, all you need to do is paddle to Perth! Your help and cooperation with the parking/shuttle arrangements would be greatly appreciated in allowing everything to run smoothly. SCA Tay Descent - Information for Participants Version 4: September 2014 Page 2 of 11

3 Exercise extreme caution at all times when manoeuvring vehicles. Road and parking surfaces are not smooth and flat. Follow directions given to you by Tay Descent marshals who will be wearing yellow vests bearing the SCA logo. Please observe speed limits and keep safe while driving. We request that all those not taking part in the Tay Descent keep clear of START areas until after 14:00. It is possible that other paddlers will be using the river, however the arrangements we ve made for vehicle access and parking are specifically for the Tay Descent event and restricted to participants on the day of October 25th until after the starts have taken place. SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT This section amplifies and explains the paragraphs in the Rules about safety equipment. The safety of participants and our volunteers is paramount. Our experience is that in previous years some paddlers have arrived with inadequate safety equipment and so the scrutineering of equipment at the starts will be thorough. Unsuitable equipment means you don t paddle. We want everyone to understand the safety equipment that is needed and will be delighted if everyone can arrive suitably equipped. The requirements for helmet and buoyancy are obvious from the rules. Consider as well that the weather could be anything, that October is well into autumn, and that it might be raining (or even snowing!) and windy, and it s likely to be cold. We d be surprised if you didn t have with you spare clothes, including back up just in case of a swim. Buoyancy for kayaks should be obvious as well, though note that we require both front and back buoyancy. Sea kayaks with compartments and hatches will generally provide sufficient buoyancy and satisfy the rules. (We like sea kayaks, as they re easy to rescue!) Open canoes are the hardest boats for us to rescue. They re also the hardest boats in which to fit buoyancy. So here s some clarifications as to what we re looking for: There MUST be buoyancy tied into BOTH ends of the canoe as illustrated below, either bags or blocks, not any other arrangement. SCA Tay Descent - Information for Participants Version 4: September 2014 Page 3 of 11

4 There MUST be at least one swim line attached to the canoe. Preferably, there should be two, at both bow and stern. These lines MUST be attached to the hull of the canoe as illustrated here if being towed in a rescue, and full of water, an open canoe will weigh over a ton, and the strain on lines is immense. The lines must float no climbing ropes! The swim line must be at least 6 metres long (so longer than the canoe). REGISTRATION If you re reading this, you ve likely already registered for the Descent. If not, see our website for costs and cut-off date. Note that you need to book a shuttle bus space and a ceilidh ticket when you register. CHECK-IN Check-in is on: Friday: 15:00-20:00 at Dewars Centre, Glover Street, Perth PH2 0TH Saturday 08:00-10:00: at the Perth Waterski Club, Shore Road, PH2 8BD (the Finish) You should preferably check-in on Friday. There will be help and advice available in connection with any aspect of the event, equipment, safety, and directions. There is a café serving food and we will have films including the Tay Descent video. Please note that the Saturday check-in is just to hand out packs and there won t be time for anything else. There are toilets available at the Waterski Club. At check-in, you collect your information pack containing number bib, Tay Descent boat sticker, car identification sheet (to give you access to the car parks), instructions, T-shirt and Tay Descent wrist band. This wristband gives you access to the soup, sandwich and tea/coffee at the Dewars centre, after the Tay Descent. Please take care of any shuttle bus tickets you have purchased as you will need to present them to use the shuttle bus to the start. You may collect packs for friends etc. SCA Tay Descent - Information for Participants Version 4: September 2014 Page 4 of 11

5 You should bring your confirmation with you for each person, AND also their individual SCA/CE/CW/CANI/ICU membership card if they have paid the member rate. No card=>the non-member rate applies: balances are payable before you collect your packs. Finish car parks are near the Waterski Club, and will be signposted and marshalled. As you approach Perth follow yellow AA signs for Paddle 2014, to the Dewars Centre, PH2 0TH. There will then be signs within Perth to the FINISH. These are marked Tay Descent. The FINISH car parks are some distance downstream of the South Inch, with South Inch itself an overspill car park. There is no parking at the Waterski Club itself but we have arranged parking nearby. Other businesses operate in the vicinity and the area is required for bus pickup and official/rescue/safety vehicles. Toilets are available at the Waterski Club. GETTING TO THE STARTS AND SHUTTLE BUSSES You need to get your boat to the appropriate Start see next section for locations and directions. You then need to get your transport back to the Finish. You then need to get back to the Start. You can either do your own thing, or use our shuttle buses (but you need to have booked this when you registered). Bus times are: 08:30 from the Finish at the Waterski Club to Dunkeld. 11:00 from the Finish at the Waterski Club to Stanley Mills It is possible to leave boats near the Long Course Start, for those who want to drop off boats on the Friday evening. Please note that anyone leaving equipment here or anywhere at any time does so completely at their own risk. The SCA and organisers do not accept any responsibility or liability for losses or damage. Further information will be posted on the SCA website nearer the time to explain the places that equipment can be left. DROP OUT If you re tired, cold, hungry, or just bored, you re at liberty to drop out at any time. However, it is essential that if you do, you contact RACE CONTROL on and let us know you re dropped out. Otherwise, we ll be searching the river all night looking for you. Certain of the bank-based safety volunteers will be have phones and will be able to help you with this. If you ask us, we ll usually be able to get you (but not necessarily your boat) back to Perth. GENERAL INFORMATION LONG & SHORT COURSES RIVER TAY The Tay is the biggest-volume river in Britain, passing through both Highland and Lowland scenery. Those not racing will notice the autumn colours at their best. All of the river is flowing, fast at times. There is a major rapid section from Campsie Linn to Thistlebrig, where the standard reaches or approaches Grade 3. Here there are standing wave trains which will sink an Open if the correct line is not taken. There are two guidebooks: Scottish Canoe Touring (covering the whole course) Scottish Whitewater: 2nd edition (covering the Campsie Linn to Thistlebrig section in more detail) SCA Tay Descent - Information for Participants Version 4: September 2014 Page 5 of 11

6 Both are available from the SCA or any reputable bookseller. Participants unfamiliar with the river might wish to consider a guided reconnaissance see the SCA website or elsewhere for possible providers. LONG COURSE START DUNKELD Dunkeld is 18 miles north of Perth, off the A9. On a Saturday morning, the journey from Perth to Dunkeld takes minutes. Please do not arrive before 07:30. From the A9, turn towards Dunkeld, and then immediately left (signposted Tay Descent) into a short road which after 200 metres reaches the Health Centre, with a turn in right just before this Centre (NO , PH8 0AD). Please obey marshals instructions re parking. There are toilets, changing rooms and refreshments available in the adjacent Recreation Ground clubhouse. The other nearest toilets are: Atholl Street Car Park, Dunkeld, PH8 0AR. They are run by Perth & Kinross Council and there is a 30p charge for use. The river is reached through a scrutineering funnel. Entrants will be checked re safety requirements such as buoyancy aids and helmets. Follow instructions from marshals, boat scrutineers, and starters. Launch is into the junction of the Braan and the Tay, and the start is over on the other side, on the left bank, where a wall out into the river forms a large eddy. Classes of kayaks and canoes will be sent over the river in succession. Please listen for tannoy instructions. Please note that you will need a good half an hour to walk over the field from the vehicle parking, be scrutineered, cross a stile, walk down the river bank, and cross the river to the start line. Please do not be late. Please also remove cars from here by 17:00. LONG COURSE Time Car park opens 07:30 Shuttle bus leaves FINISH at Perth 08:30 Open boats (C1 and C2), GP kayaks, sea kayaks First boats will be set off 10:00 Racing classes, e.g. Wavehoppers, WW Racers, Last boats will be set off 11:30 Marathon K1 and K2 Event timing finishes 16:00 SHORT COURSE START STANLEY MILLS The SHORT course start is about 20 minutes drive north of Perth on the A9 towards Inverness. Those coming from Perth should leave by 10:00, in order to arrive in time for shuttle and scrutineering before the start. Please do not arrive before 09:00. Leave the A9 as signed Luncarty, Stanley, B9099, and then drive through Luncarty towards Stanley village. Entering the village, you will see both yellow Tay Descent AA signs, and brown tourist signs directing you to Stanley Mills (NO , PH1 4QE). Drive down the hill, and take a left turn into the Stanley Mills car park, and follow marshals directions. We re using this car park courtesy of Historic Scotland. There are toilets at Stanley Mills, and some refreshments will be available to purchase. [A tour of the Mill might interest any non-paddling companions.] Scrutineering and the start are down an easy grassy ramp to the river in front of and immediately downstream of the Mill. SHORT COURSE Time Car park opens 09:00 Shuttle bus leaves FINISH at Perth 11:00 Racing Classes First boats will be set off 12:30 Other Classes Last boats will be set off Event timing finishes 16:00 SCA Tay Descent - Information for Participants Version 4: September 2014 Page 6 of 11

7 FINISH At Perth, there are three bridges across the Tay: A stone road bridge with multiple arches this is worth inspecting and is best shot through the second arch from the right where there is greater flow (or possibly even the furthest right hand arch at very high flow). A single span road bridge the finish is just upstream of this (NO ) and an SCA FINISH BANNER will be on the bridge please pass directly below this banner, which is on the RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE RIVER. Otherwise, you may not be timed. A railway bridge with multiple arches it is best shot in the centre of the river to get adequate water depth. After the railway bridge paddle on 600 metres to the egress at a concrete slipway on river right (NO120224), which is at the Waterski Club. Depending on when you finish there may be a queue of people waiting to get out. If so, use the eddies upstream of the egress and wait until it is clear. Land and remove your boat as quickly as possible to keep the egress free for others. You must remove your vehicle from the Finish car park by 18:15 when the owners will lock up the premises. AFTER Congratulations on finishing! Changing facilities are available at the Waterski Club. There will be a free shuttle bus running from 14:00 until 17:00 between the Finish and Dewars Centre (Glover St, Perth PH2 0TH) where soup, a sandwich and tea/coffee will be waiting for you until 17:30. The shuttle bus will run till 18:00 to return people to the Finish car park. You must remove your vehicle from the Finish car park by 18:15 when the owners will lock up the premises. Prizegiving will be at Dewars Centre at 17:30 all welcome. The Ceilidh is at the Dewars Centre at 19:30 23:30. You can book and pay for ceilidh tickets when you register online for the Tay Descent. There will be very limited parking available at/near the Dewars during the Saturday due to the rest of the event taking place throughout the day. SCA Tay Descent - Information for Participants Version 4: September 2014 Page 7 of 11

8 MARSHAL S SIGNALS There will be marshals at various points on the river. They will usually be wearing orange bibs with SAFETY printed in them. If these marshals need to help you, they will use the signals below. Marshals may also signal you to stop for someone else s safety. In general, if a marshal has nothing to communicate, they will make no signal and you should proceed STOP GO Used after STOP signal, when it s safe to go. SCA Tay Descent - Information for Participants Version 4: September 2014 Page 8 of 11

9 COME TO ME Both hands waving to head, finishing on helmet GO TO WHERE I M POINTING SCA Tay Descent - Information for Participants Version 4: September 2014 Page 9 of 11

10 RULES 1. The Tay Descent is run under the auspices of the Scottish Canoe Association and is overseen by the SCA Board of Management. 2. The SCA Tay Descent Committee runs the event on behalf of the SCA Board and appoints an Event Organiser to manage the event. 3. The Descent will be run under these Tay Descent Rules and such rules as the Event Organiser decides to implement to ensure the safe and successful organisation of the Descent. The Event Organiser may make a ruling at any time and on any matter not specifically covered under the Tay Descent Rules prior or during the Descent. Any such rulings will be contained in the Pre-Event Notes or will be announced at the Start. Any rulings by the Event Organiser are final. 4. No entry will be accepted unless submitted on an Official Entry Form. 5. Paddlers taking part should either hold a BCU 3 Star White Water Award or be at a similar standard. 6. The Event Organiser reserves the right to accept or reject any entry if, in the opinion of the Event Organiser, the entrant is ineligible, unfit or incompetent to participate in the Descent or if the entrant s equipment does not comply with the Tay Descent Rules or is otherwise unsuitable. 7. Entrants who are currently individual members of the Scottish Canoe Association or other home nation associations of the British Canoe Union (CE/CW/CANI) and who are paying the member rate must show their membership cards at check-in to qualify for the discounted entry price. Individual members of the ICU may also pay the member rate on production of a current membership card at check-in. 8. The Event Organiser is empowered, if deemed necessary in the interests of safety, or otherwise, to limit the number of entrants in specific classes and if this right is implemented, to accept entries in order of receipt of entry form. 9. The Event Organiser is empowered to modify or cancel specific classes and courses depending on conditions e.g. river level, weather etc. This can include the introduction of compulsory portages at specific locations. 10. By submission of an Official Entry Form it is considered that entrants and their supporters are acquainted with the Tay Descent Rules and rules that may be included in the Pre Event Notes. It will not be considered a defence, excuse, or mitigating factor that someone was unaware of the existence of a rule. 11. All participants must ensure that their allocated Event Numbers are clearly visible throughout. 12. All boats must be fitted with either: buoyancy bags/blocks securely fastened to the boat; or other secure buoyancy. Any buoyancy bags fitted must be inflated. Please note that the marathon racing rules have recently been changed to make buoyancy compulsory. Competitors in all classes who do not comply with this rule face being refused access to the event by the organisers, or being disqualified. 13. All boats (with the exception of marathon K1s and K2s) must be equipped at each end with a grab handle or equivalent. SCA Tay Descent - Information for Participants Version 4: September 2014 Page 10 of 11

11 14. All open Canadians must be equipped with at least one appropriate swim line. 15. Participants must be able to free themselves immediately from their boat at all times. 16. Wild Water Racing boats and marathon K1 and K2 boats shall follow regulations regarding the specification of their boats. 17. Participants (in all classes) must wear an approved safety helmet. The only helmets approved for use are those carrying a current CE mark. 18. Participant must wear a buoyancy aid carrying CE mark (BSEN393 or ISO12402). 19. Participants who are under 16 must be accompanied whilst on the river by a parent, guardian, or nominated adult, except those who are appropriately listed on the BCU Marathon, Slalom, or White Water Racing Ranking Lists at the time of entering the event refer to Organiser for more information. 20. Scrutineering will take place at each of the different starts. Participants failing to present their craft and equipment for scrutineering will not be allowed to start the Tay Descent. Participants whose equipment does not meet the required standard will not be able to start the Tay Descent. 21. Participants must comply with the spirit and intent of the Tay Descent. This includes obeying reasonable requests from Tay Descent officials. 22. Any participant seeing another participant in real danger must render all assistance possible. 23. In the event of a capsize, participants may be assisted from the water and receive assistance in emptying their craft in preparation for re-entering the Event. 24. Interference by any participant or support crew member with the Rescue Teams or the safe operation of the Descent is liable to immediate expulsion from the Event. 25. Any participant withdrawing from the Event for any reason MUST notify Race Control as soon as possible. 26. The Descent will be deemed finished at 16:00. All Rescue Support and Time Keeping will cease at this time. Any participant arriving at the Finish after 16:30 will not be timed and will not appear in the results. The cut-off at Burnmouth at 14: The Tay Descent will not be bound by ICF or BCU/SCA Marathon Racing Rules. 28. Entrants must compete in a craft comparable to the class indicated on a submitted entry form and start the Event within the selected class. 29. The Event Organiser s decisions relating to classes, dimensions, type of craft, nonacceptance of an entry, etc. will be considered final subject to the right of appeal to the SCA Tay Descent Committee. 30. Any participant may receive assistance from supporters in the matter of First Aid, sustenance, change of clothing, help with repairs, replacement of faulty or damaged equipment including paddles, but not the replacement of the craft itself. Washhanging someone not taking part in the event is not permitted. Have a great weekend, and enjoy your paddle! [editing note: The only change between V3 (Jun) and V4 (Sep) is that Friday evening check-in is now at Dewars and NOT at Perth Waterski Club. Saturday check-in remains at Waterski Club] SCA Tay Descent - Information for Participants Version 4: September 2014 Page 11 of 11