Saturday 7th July 2012

Constructor’s Notes, Rules, Regulations and Safety Instructions

1.                Introduction

These rules are for the guidance of raft designers and builders and to ensure safety and fair play for all.  They will be strictly enforced and include regulations that are required by The National Trust to ensure your team’s personal safety.

Please remember that any water activity can be dangerous and that whilst every effort will be made to provide rescue facilities the eventual responsibility for your own safety will rest with each Rafter.

Neither Guildford Lions Club, the National Trust nor Guildford Borough Council can, or will, accept any responsibility for any loss or damage to persons or property howsoever caused.  Any entry is 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.

2.                Construction

1.         Each raft shall be manufactured from sound material that will not become waterlogged on immersion. All parts are to be  of adequate strength and securely fixed to avoid breaking up in the river.

2.         Each raft must be designed to carry a specific number of persons, (min 2 max and be buoyant and stable with 50% overload

3.         Containers such as oil drums and plastic containers shall be thoroughly cleaned before being used in the construction with all caps, bungs, etc. so designed that no leakage can occur when the raft is afloat on the river.

4.         Any mast and sail should not exceed 2 metres above the water line.

5.         The raft may be propelled by a paddle (not double ended), rudder, pole or direct drive paddle wheel with no mechanical advantage.

6.         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.

7.         The length should not exceed twice the breadth.

8.         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 of £20 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 Charity Trust Fund.

The following are not allowed in the construction of rafts in any of the classes:

a)             Any proprietary canoe or boat hulls or proprietary boat parts.

b)             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.

c)             Any material of a toxic nature liable to pollute the river.

d)         Oars, rowlocks and any form of fixed rowing station. (Rafts must be polled or paddled without any attachment to the hull – except paddlewheels entered in the “ human mechanical propulsion” class)

e)         Any form of purely mechanical propulsion with the exception of those entered into Human Mechanical Propulsion class.

f)          Towing from the bank.

g)         For safety, No nails to be used in the general construction, screws are allowed but they must not protrude.

h)         Sharp edges, burrs, spikes or any protrusion likely to cause injury to any competitor, spectator or property.

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

If you have any queries about these Conditions, please do not hesitate to contact: John Fellows on 01483 546046 or at jwfellows@hotmail.com or write to 17 Chinthurst Park, Shalford, Guildford, GU4 8JH

 Constructor’s Notes, Rules, Regulations and Safety Instructions (continued)

3.                 Sponsorship

To enter the raft race each team shall complete an entry form, which requires the crew to obtain sponsorship in recognition of their efforts in designing, and taking part in the event in order that the Lions Club can provide assistance to local charities and deserving causes. When we receive your entry you will be sent your sponsorship forms, a summary of which should be declared at the start of the event and will commit the principal contact to produce those sums, or better, to the Lions Club as soon as possible. To participate you should aim for a minimum of £100 per raft to play your part in the event.  Several rafts produce sums over £1,000.  Try to encourage your Company or organisation to support your team.

Tax efficient giving can be arranged. The Lions Club will acknowledge all donations as contributions to Charity. Sponsorship to this worthy cause will also ensure this event continues as well as assisting the local community. 

The objective of the day is to have fun and to support local worthy causes. Please play your part.

There are awards for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd places in each class, trophies for the Best Presented Raft and Crew in the Adult and Youth classes, Best Engineering Design and Fundraising awards.

Competitors Safety Instructions 

a)        All competitors must be able to swim fully clothed a distance of at least 50 metres.

b)        All youth competitors aged under 16 years must produce parent/guardian written consent before the start of the Race and wear approved buoyancy aids or life jackets at all times (Contact organisers if a problem, as life jackets are available on loan).

c)         It is recommended that all competitors wear life jackets in the interest of their own safety and those of any assisting people or craft.

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 instructions of any official from the Lions Club, Wey Navigation, Sea Cadets, Ambulance Service, Police or any other authorised body however given must be obeyed in order to ensure maximum safety to all crews and spectators.

g)         It is the duty of any rafter who is aware of another rafter, or member of the public, to be in difficulty to offer assistance unless that assistance would endanger the life of the provider.

h)        The organisers will disqualify any crew who in its opinion behaves in such a manner as to constitute a threat to the safety of others or is disruptive prior to the start.

j)         The construction of the raft must be such that in the event of the raft sinking, capsizing or breaking up there is no restriction to the ready escape of all occupants.

k)        The raft must be designed to remain afloat in a stable condition with at least a fifty percent overload factor.

l)          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.

m)      Any changes to the Team list shall be notified in writing before the start of the race.

n)           Buckets or water guns carried on rafts are not to be used to throw water at spectators or at the Mayor’s  launch  

Failure to comply with these Safety Instructions will result in disqualification of the Team.

Important Rules

i)         The river is open to other traffic so keep to Starboard (the right of the river)

ii)        Any injuries, however minor, must be reported to the First Aid staff at the start or finish.

iii)       Any symptoms of illness after the event should be reported to your doctor.

iv)           Competitors are strongly advised not to consume alcohol before the race. Be advised that Town Centre byelaws relating to drink are in force.

v)             Alcohol must not be carried on any raft.

vi)           All crewmembers must sign on at the reception table before the start and crew captains must sign their raft off at the finish.

vii)         Any unruliness, unnecessary boisterousness or other acts endangering the public or other crews before or during the race will result in disqualification.

viii)      No eggs oR Hard ObJECTS are to be carried on rafts or thrown as missiles.

** Please remember, safety is much, much more important than winning **