Well done to Bobby Thatcher for placing 1st in the Unlimited Class and Mark Slater for 1st in the 12’6″ Class. Check out the full results below:

Car Park – Start

Best place to park is in the Dinghy Park, which runs parallel to the river. You can see a map of this on the blog. This is a pay and display car park, and there are at least 2 meters. Its fairly well patrolled, so don’t forget to get a ticket! Its always open so you can get there as early as you like.

Car Park – Finish

There’s a large public car park, right next to the finish point, which is reserved on Saturday for entrants to the race. If you’re planning on leaving a car at the finish, then you’ll find the car park will be zoned off with barriers. If there’s nobody in attendance then please feel free to move the barriers and park your car in the marked bays. Please make sure you return the barriers once you’ve parked.

If someone is meeting you at the finish, then they too can park here. They just need to explain to any parking attendants what they are doing.

Registration

You will need to pick up your race number on Saturday morning. We are still waiting for confirmation of times, but you should be able to register from 11.30am. This will take place in the boat house of the Dartmouth Rowing Club, which is just behind the Floating Bridge pub, by the slipway. It should be fairly obvious when you get there, where it is. Please note that cruising class paddlers also need to pick up a race number, which you’ll need to display on your chest. We believe pins will be provided; please ensure you are wearing a suitable top.

Briefing

There will be a safety and race briefing at 11.50am. Attendance is mandatory for all paddlers. You’ll be given important information about the course and any safety considerations.

Start Times

Cruising Class – You will need to enter the water and paddle across the river to the start line soon as the safety briefing has finished. You will start at 12.15pm.

Racing Classes – You will start at 12.30pm. We recommend you enter the water with plenty of time to prepare for the start.

The Course

Cruising paddlers are expected to take in the region of 2 hours to complete the course. Racing class paddlers are expected to take between 1hr 20 and 2 hrs to complete it. Please pay attention at the safety briefing so you don’t make any wrong turns! We will have a safety boat following the paddle, in case anyone gets in any difficulties. Please stay with your board at all times.

The Finish

The river straightens and narrows at the finish point. Keep paddling until you hear a sound signal that signifies that you have crossed the finish line. Cruising paddlers will also need to cross the finish line so that your numbers can be marked off the list, and we know you are back safely. Once you have crossed the line, please make your way to the large slipway in front of the rowing club and exit the water as quickly as you can to clear the slip way as the later paddlers may arrive at the same time as the rowers, who need to lift their boats out. Please be considerate to all.

There will be a barbecue and bar running when you get to the finish – so if you’re planning on paddling back, don’t forget to bring some money with you. You will all receive a commemorative water bottle at the prize giving which is scheduled to start at 4pm. For those of you who want to paddle back to Dartmouth, can we suggest that you do this after 4pm, as there will be heavy congestion on the river with rowers still competing in the race up to this time. Your understanding and patience is appreciated.

Weather

Early forecasts are giving a good day of sunshine and light winds from the south. Perfect for racing! Obviously the great British weather is not that predictable, so please come prepared for all weather! Hydration is very important, and we recommend you ensure that you drink enough, and are prepared for that.

That’s all for now. Lets all work together to make the event a great success, as we are sure it can grow into a major event for the SUP community. Please email me if you have any questions about the day, and don’t forget to check the blog for updates running up to the big day.

Best regards

Gillian

You can enter Cruising class if you just want to take in the view or you can enter 12’6″ or unlimited class if you fancy racing against the clock, your friends or are aiming to take a trophy home. Fun paddling for all.

The fastest paddlers will complete the race in about 1hr 20 mins while those just in it for the cruise will take about 2hrs paddling at a very leisurely pace- The incoming tide really helps push the paddlers along, so even if you just dipped your paddle in very occasionally you’d still be in time for tea and cakes!

High Tide is 3.38pm

Race starts at 12.30pm (TBC but it will be 15 mins either side of this)

Come down the hill into Dartmouth on College Way, follow the one way system around to the left (coombe road). Stay in the left hand lane and then round to the right parallel with the river (North Embankment). Turn almost immediately into the Dinghy Park on the right . Red Circle above.
Link to map HERE

Parking at the finish

Red Circle shows large public car park

Link to map HERE

Coming down the hill into Dartmouth

After you come down the hill into Dartmouth follow the one way system and just after you go round the corner and are parallel with the river turn into the Dinghy Park, which is where you can park to get ready.

This is the launch slipway. Make sure you launch down the right hand side of the slip and not down the middle as the car ferry comes in on the central section! Totnes (up river) is to the left of this pic. The water will be flowing from right to left on the day of the race.

Here you can see the car ferry at the slipway. Once you launch we recommend hanging around in this area to the right of the slipway before paddling across and up river to the start line.

The Start line is on the other side of the river – just below the white house up on the hill on the left of the picture.

The Dartmouth Rowing Club, Just behind the slipway

The Floating Bridge pub just next to the rowing club. A good place to meet up with fellow paddlers before the race – 2 Mineral waters please!

Looking forward to more entries coming in. If you have any questions just send us an email headofdart@gmail.com