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Saturday, April 20, 2024 |
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Registration and Place Allotment
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All registration
is online this year at westfieldriver.org/races.
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The Early Bird
registration fee is $35 for the Expert and Classic (up until 3/31 at 11:59PM).
Registration April 1 - April 14 11:59 PM is $45. Registration 4/15-17 is $75. Please register early. You will save
money and it helps make check in for everyone seamless.
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Racing as a team?
Each person needs to register and each needs to sign a waiver. You will
designate your team/partner in the system with you designating a team name.
Your teammate comes in separately and enters their information under join a
team using the team name you designated.
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For those wishing
to do both races (the Meister), there is a $20 additional fee. Meister teams
must be the same two paddlers for both races. Tandem and solo paddlers must use
the same boat.
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All registrations
include a $5 insurance fee and those registered must sign the insurance waiver
on the registration site.
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Registration
closes April 17th at 11:59PM.
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There will be a
randomized draw on Thursday the 18th to determine start order for all races.
You will be emailed your start time by Friday 4/19 at 3PM.
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Racers will start
at 30 second intervals.
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If you miss your
assigned start time you must wait until the start official allows you to enter
the water. This could be soon after you
arrive at the start line or it may be after all other
racers have started. Racers who miss
their start will not be allowed to interfere with other racer's timely, safe,
scheduled starts. Please note that your
original start time is when your personal timing starts.
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All Meisters will
start the Classic race after all Classic classes have been started to allow
time to rest and to coordinate shuttles.
Race Bibs
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Race bib pickups
for the Classic will be at the Classic start in downtown Huntington 9AM -
11AM. Expert racer bibs will be
available at the Knightville Dam starting at 8:30AM.
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The race bibs are
single use. There is no need to turn them in at the end of the race keep them
as a souvenir, just don t litter. Each
tandem boat will have two numbers. Each paddler must wear a bib attached to the
front of their PFD. Solo paddlers and kayakers must attach their numbers to
both the front and back of their PFD.
Parking for Racers
You need to drop off your boat at the starting area. You then need
to park your vehicle within proximity to the finish line. It is your
responsibility to find a way back to the starting area.
Finish Line Changes for Parking and
Boat Pickup or Shuttle to Strathmore Park
In an effort to reduce congestion at the Woronoco
finish line and to allow for improved emergency vehicle access, the Russell
Police have instituted the following changes. There is no longer any parking
along the north section of Woronoco Road from the finish line to Rte. 20. This
will now be one way traffic only heading north. People may park along the east
side (the river side) of the south section of Woronoco Road from the entrance
off Rte. 20 to the edge of Woronoco Village on a first come/first served basis.
If there is no parking remaining there, then you must park your
vehicle in Strathmore Park and take the shuttle bus from the finish line to the
park. Your canoe or kayak will be transported for you. Your finish line options
are as follows:
Note to both paddlers and your spectators: please follow all NO
parking signs on Rte 20. You will get ticketed unless you are parked in a
designated spot.
Rules
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You must race at
your designated start time.
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We cannot
accommodate racing with friends.
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Important
information will be announced at pre race meetings at
Knightville and the Classic start area.
Attendance is strongly encouraged.
The pre-race meetings will start at 9AM at Knightville and 10:30AM at
the Classic Start. Race meetings for the Classic Race will be ongoing as
paddlers arrive for their assigned starts.
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No alcohol will
be allowed in and around the start area of both races or
at Strathmore Park. In the interest of safety we ask
that all paddlers and spectators refrain from the use of alcohol before, during
or after the races.
Safety
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The Westfield
River Classic Race contains class two rapids and has several challenging
sections including the Hill & Dale Rapids. The Expert Race has a much
higher level of paddling difficulty with some class 3 rapids. The Expert Race
is for experienced whitewater paddlers only.
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If you have never
paddled whitewater before, you should not attempt either race unless you are an
experienced flat water paddler with the correct
whitewater boats and equipment as well as the proper clothing/wetsuit/drysuit
to protect you against cold water immersion. You should plan to attend one of
our two clinics for instruction on how to paddle rapids.
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If you are new to
whitewater we STRONGLY suggest attending one of the
two race clinics and learning from experts on what to expect on the course. We
have had class winners who attended both clinics and increased their skills
immeasurably.
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Every paddler is
required to wear a Coast Guard-approved or ISO certified, over-the-shoulder
life jacket.
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Helmets are
mandatory for all kayakers and recommended for all other boats.
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Grab loops or 8
tie down ropes at bow and stern are recommended.
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We strongly
recommend that all open boats have flotation devices attached. This can be in
the form of professional canoe/kayak air bags, truck inner tubes or styrofoam
blocks secured inside the boat. This will absolutely help you and others self
rescue your boat if you go over.
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It is every
paddlers responsibility to look out for other paddlers needing help or rescue.
See someone in distress? Give aid to those in need.
Awards and Race Celebration
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Strathmore Park off of Rte. 20 is the post-race venue.
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Awards will be
distributed at approximately 3:00 PM.
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Strathmore Park
has a large pavilion and restroom facilities.
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Racers, family,
and friends are all welcome.
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There will be
three food trucks (North Elm Butcher Block, Ginger Love and Broken Wolf), Blue
Farm Bakery desserts, a live band (The 413s) and a DJ plus face painting for
kids.
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Please bring a
garbage bag with you and be sure to take your trash out. We want to leave all
areas of the race as pristine as we found them.
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Alcohol is NOT
permitted in Strathmore Park per regulations of the Town of Russell and the
Russell Police.
A Note on Assumed Personal Risk
Paddling whitewater in early spring conditions with cold water and
chilly air temperatures is an inherently risky undertaking that assumes
personal responsibility and acceptance for all risks encountered while paddling
rapids.
You should think carefully about your decision to register for
this race if you have never paddled whitewater before. It is important to
realize that despite all of the safety measures the
race organizers have in place, they cannot guarantee your total safety from
injury or worse once you set off on the water on your own. This is not a
controlled environment where your safety is guaranteed.
Race officials apply to the Army Corp of Engineers for a specific
water release from the dam but river conditions are
always changing that are out of the race officials' control with varying water
levels, unknown and hidden obstructions such as rocks and logs, and changing
severity of rapids.
Outdoor high adventure outings such as paddling whitewater rapids
require physical conditioning, experience, knowledge, former instruction,
proper protective clothing and footwear to guard
against cold water/air exposure. Canoe and kayaks are recommended to be
outfitted with air bags/flotation devices. Kayakers are required to wear
approved whitewater helmets. Canoeists should carry spare paddles, bailers, and
have 8 painters on each end of the canoe and grab loops on kayaks. You must be
comfortable with self rescue of yourself, your partner
and your boat if you capsize as there probably won t be anyone around to render
assistance if you need help.
If you are questioning your ability to
safely navigate this river because of any of the previously mentioned points,
you should not register for this race. This event is not for first time
beginner paddlers. Please read the article on hypothermia that is attached to
the race website.
Cooperation and Assistance
Everyone s cooperation will be needed to make sure the races and
the celebration runs as smoothly as possible.
Let s make sure everyone has a good time and that the race continues its
illustrious history. Please remember
that it is your responsibility as a paddler to render assistance to other
boaters who are in need of help or rescue on the river
as you approach them.
Please send questions to [email protected].
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Westfield River Watershed Association
PO Box 1764 Westfield MA 01086 |
