Arrival
On the day before the race, we encourage rafts to be dropped off and stored on the grass area at the rear of the Waterton Arms, this allows for a relaxed transition and the opportunity to chat with fellow rafters.
The organisers will provide a raft transportation service via a trailer to transport rafts on the Saturday afternoon from the local area to the Waterton Arms, for a modest charitable donation. Please contact the organisers to book a slot.
On Sunday morning rafters have the option to drop off their raft at the Waterton prior or at the riverbank assembly area. PLEASE ENSURE ALL RAFTS ARE IN PLACE AT THE RIVERBANK BY 12:00.
We are hoping to have a lot of rafts involved on the day, so we will need your full cooperation during the unloading process.
Please keep the number of vehicles involved in transporting your craft to a minimum. You will need to clear your vehicle as soon as possible in a safe manner. Under no circumstances is your vehicle to be parked on Bridge Street or Church Street as this will affect local residents and hinder fellow rafters.
Registration
When you get to the start point, tell an official your name and team name. You will then be given instruction on where to unload your raft.
Please ensure all team members have read the raft race rules and Terms and Conditions & Disclaimer as they will be signing to say they agree, no signature may mean your team mates cannot race. The fully completed form & payment must be received and confirmation email to the lead name as stated. You will then be issued with an approximate start time, and a sticky number which you must attach to your raft.
Raft Scrutineering
The organising committee will appoint an official race scrutineer, they will work with rafters to ensure safe and well executed race. Rafts will be inspected for the following:
- Sharp edges
- Loose parts, which may potentially detach
- General raft integrity
- Visibility of race number for organisers
Start of the race and course
Race running order (Note these are provisional times and subject to change) and details on how the rafters will be scored.
Scores for team members’ fancy dress and raft decoration will be decided by a panel of judges appointed by the committee.
| Provisional Start Time | Race Description | Scoring |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 | Craft & Raft (Build phase) | Teams have 30 mins to assemble their rafts on the riverbank |
| 12:30 | Youth Race (Short course) | Best dressed team + raft score and course time |
| 13:00 | Craft & Raft (Short course) | Time to get the majority of the raft and all crew around the course and over the finish line |
| 13:30 | Fun Race (Full course) | Best dressed team + raft score and course time |
| 13:50 | Main Race (Full course) | Course time |
| 14:10 | Pub & Hospitality Race (Full Course) | Course time |
| 14:30 | Business Race (Full course) | Course time |
For the Raft & Craft and Fun races, rafts will set off in pairs at suitable intervals.
Don’t forget to smile for the camera at the start.
The finish line and pick up point
The official timeline for the short course is the footbridge (start line) and for the long course is at the Boundary green, the exit point is further upstream opposite The Laurels, from where you will be assisted out of the river.
Upon completion of the race, please remove your raft and any debris from the river as soon as possible via the fenced-off exit point. Rafts can be stored opposite the Laurels. It is very important your rafts are collected before 7pm so that organisers can complete returning Market Deeping to its original condition.
Scoring Procedure
For the Fun race and Youth race the results will be determined by both the time taken to complete the course and by judges scores. They will be judging participants’ costumes and overall raft design. Rafts and rafters that embrace this year’s theme and display the most creativity will sail away with the most points. Two judges will each award points out of 10 for both raft and rafters – giving a maximum of 40 points. Each point is worth 5 seconds deducted from that raft’s course time and this final figure will be used to determine the winners.
Medal and trophy presentations
The trophy presentation will be made at the Stage Hotel at 4pm. To ensure all participants are properly recognised for their efforts, medals will be handed out to all rafters when they come out of the river.
Safety
We endeavour to make the race as safe as possible. Pre-approved precautions have been taken including ambulance, water rescue and marshals. Please follow the safety instructions provided and follow the marshals’ instructions on the day. In the event that any of your team is injured, please let an official know as soon as possible. All marshals will have contact details for first aid.
To rafters and spectators, do not come armed with such things as eggs, flour bombs, etc. They not only cause river pollution but may also cause serious injury. If you are bringing a bucket along to help keep your raft afloat, please don’t use it to soak other rafters. Please note most rafters have made the effort to dress up and will not want to be soaked to the skin too early in the race. Remember it is a fun event, and although it is a race, it is forbidden to try and sink a competitor. Your fellow rafters have also paid to take part in the event.
Disclaimer
Each Team member who enters is complying with:
- I will not hold the organisers of the Raft Race responsible in any way for injury, accident or death to any person or myself as a result of my participation in this event.
- I confirm that I will not hold the organisers liable for any loss, theft or damage of personal possessions as a result of our participation in this event.
- I understand that my participation in this event is entirely at my own risk and that I will take all such steps as are reasonable to protect myself and others from harm or injury.
- I confirm that I can swim, am medically and physically fit enough to take part and do not have any medical conditions that may affect my participation;
- The organisers reserve the right to refuse access to the river to any person who is under the influence of any intoxicating substances or who, in their opinion, is not fit to participate.
Terms and Conditions
- All rafts and oars must be of a home-made construction.
- Any raft deemed to be too similar to a boat, canoe or catamaran will be asked to enter the Main Race and may incur a time penalty. This is an attempt to allow a level playing field in each category.
- All participants must register with the organisers and sign prior to the race.
- Each team is limited to a maximum of eight crew members.
- All competitors must be competent swimmers.
- We advise you to wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid during the race. It is a requirement that all under 16s wear life jackets. We have a limited number that we can provide, if you have your own it would be helpful if you could bring it.
- Under 18s are required to provide parental consent on the disclaimer section of the signup form.
- All crew members MUST wear footwear in the river and whilst on the raft at all times.
- In order to avoid pollution of the river, you must ensure all materials used in the raft construction are thoroughly cleaned.
- All rafts must enter and exit the river at the designated points only, except in an emergency.
- Each team is responsible for ensuring that their own raft and any debris are removed from the river. Any costs incurred by the organisers in cleaning up any debris after the event may be passed on to any individual responsible.
- Race organisers accept no responsibility for any accident resulting in death or personal injury to persons entering, associated with, or in the vicinity of the raft race.
- Race organisers accept no responsibility for any loss, theft or damage to the property of persons entering, associated with, or in the vicinity of the race.
- In the interests of safety, crew members are prohibited from using water cannons or throwing eggs, or similar, during the event.