Round the Island Race

Sunday 20th June 2010

COQUET ISLAND LIES 1 MILE OFFSHORE FROM THE SMALL HARBOUR OF AMBLE ON THE BEAUTIFUL COAST OF   NORTHUMBERLAND 

Check in @ 10:00 a.m. 

ENTRY FEES: £ 4.00, U18 £ 2.00       

Age categories are based on age on the day of the race.

Junior race:  age catgegories by school year

Island race:                Junior   Under 16

                                Senior 16 – 34

                                Veteran 35 –44

                                Super vet  45 – 54

                                Grand Old man/woman                55 – 64

                                Old man/woman of the sea 65 – 74

                                Ancient Mariner 75 +

FURTHER DETAILS:        Vic Brown    Bailiff’s Cottage, West Thirston, Felton, Morpeth NE65 9EF  

                                                    Tel 01670 789913     email address: - [ vicabrown@btopenworld.com ]

Details

START / FINISH

At the Braid, Amble, Northumberland.

Car parking at the Braid, Amble.  (upstream of the town, follow Marina signs to Braid).

            ENTRIES from 09:30

            Entry Fee:  £4.00p   (18 and under : £2.00p)

Entries are taken on the day.  You may wish to print off an entry form and bring it along with you, already filled in.  Please leave the boxes at the top for the organiser to complete.

            RACE BRIEFING 10:45   

START TIMES 11:00 /11:05

START 11:00

            Island Race                 (Sea Kayak)                         (age  14+ )    5.5 miles                

Paddle out of the harbour, clockwise ROUND Coquet Island and back to  the finish line at Amble

START 11:05

            J       Kayaks under 4m.  Age under 15.  2.5 miles.  (Older novices can also participate but will not be eligible for prizes).

Paddle out of the harbour, round a marker buoy to the north of the pier and return to the finish line.

            Weather conditions may dictate alternative routes.

PRIZE GIVING 1330 (approx)

Safety Requirements.

            The race round the island involves a mile down the Coquet Estuary,  through the pier ends, then across one mile of open sea to Coquet Island.  The Island has a rocky coastline and seas break on off-lying reefs when there is a swell.  You are advised not to go too close to the island in these conditions.   Tidal streams are not extreme, but cause some disturbed water  in places when running at their fastest.  Experience of paddling at sea is essential.

            All competitors must wear approved buoyancy aids/lifejackets (with whistles).   If  the sea conditions are rough, we will insist on crash helmets being worn.  Sea kayaks have looped in the harbour entrance in the past.  All boats must have maximum buoyancy, and end loops / toggles.

            Boats deemed not to be seaworthy for the prevailing conditions will not be allowed to compete.  Open decked boats may be allowed to compete if sea conditions permit.  The Organiser's decision is final.

If weather/sea conditions  are unfavourable, changes will be made to the course of the race.

Safety Cover

            The Junior  (under 15 / novice), race will be closely supervised by a safety boat while on the sea, and by kayaks in the harbour.

            The Senior classes will have safety  boat cover, but we will not, of course be able to shadow every competitor.  Priority will be given to  those at the rear.

            All competitors should be confident of their ability to stay upright in the prevailing conditions; they should be suitably dressed to survive a prolonged immersion; they should be experienced in deep water rescue  rescues.

            If you see other competitors in trouble and no rescue boat is in attendance please give assistance.

            If you have any doubts - bearing in mind the conditions on the day - please join the Junior   race, which will be more closely supervised.

            Although we will do our best to take care of all competitors, it is ultimately YOUR responsibility to compete on the day. If you grossly overestimate your ability, you could risk other lives as well as your own.

All competitors are issued with bibs which are checked out and back through the harbour entrance.  All bibs must be handed back in to confirm safe return of the competitor.  If for any reason you abandon the race, return the bib to race control asap.

• The Farnes, (birds, seals, tidal races, smelly rocks, sea urchins, fishing parties, etc.)

• Holy Island,

• St Abbes Head

• The Tweed Estuary

Or if you fancy practicing for the race –

Coquet Island lies about 1 mile offshore. It has a lighthouse, recently automated, and several thousand birds in the breading season. These include puffins, terns, eider ducks, guillemots, cormorants, gulls, etc. You may also see gannets, flying down from Bass Rock to feed here. 

It is a bird sanctuary, and landing is not permitted.