Dear Rafter

Firstly, thank you for considering taking part in the SBDO Raft Race! 

Details about your team must be entered on the form and payment made before the event. On completion of the form an invoice will be sent.  Once this is paid we will confirm your entry.

We are offering each team entrance in a ‘Tug of War’ following the Raft Race. If you are interested please tick the box on the application form.

To make your day easier we are also offering picnic tables - pre-booking for each team of up to two tables at £25 per table. These will be for your raft team's exclusive use for the remainder of the day. If you are interested please select how many tables you want on the form.

Entry form is here

Please note we comply with GDPR for information entered on this form and your details will only be used for the administration of Stamford's Big Day Out, 

Information Pack

Arrival 

Entry will not be allowed before 9am.

The designated raft drop-off point is on the riverbank at the bottom of Waterfurlong Road where there is a gate entrance to Stamford Meadows. Launch point is here:  https://what3words.com/degree.float.dimes . A marshall will check your booking details before entry is allowed to the field.

Please keep the number of vehicles involved in transporting your craft to a minimum. You will be able to leave your vehicle(s) at the Raft Race dropoff point for the duration of the event. No re-entry will be allowed. You will not be able to collect your raft until all the rafts have finished the race.  More details will be provided on the day.

Registration 

After parking, please go to the race event information tent to confirm your team entrant details. You will then be given instruction on where to take your raft. As there will be up to 24 rafts involved on the day, your full cooperation during the unloading process would be appreciated. Please be patient and do not try to unload before 9 am on the day.

Please ensure all team members have read the raft race rules, Terms and Conditions & Disclaimer on the entrance form as they will be asked to sign to say they agree. No signature may mean your teammates cannot race. The fully completed form & payment must have been received in advance. Bookings will only be processed once payment has been received

You will be issued with an approximate start time and a sticky number which you must attach to your raft. 

Race start times 

From 12:00, approximately 5 minutes between boats.

Start of the Race & Course

The Rafts will initially be loaded in the Welland River at a staging area in preparation for the race. The race itself will start slightly downstream from the staging point. This enables an official start time for all rafters. Marshalls will be on hand to coordinate activities at the staging point to sequence the rafts to the starting point and rafts will set off one at a time at suitable intervals with the departure time recorded. The raft team lead has the responsibility for the safety of your team. The marshalls are there to assist with the safety aspects of the race.

Don’t forget to smile for the camera at the start, as we are hoping to Facebook Live Stream the event. 

After the start, the rafts must be self-powered downstream towards the finishing line at the west edge of the Cattle Market Parking Bridge where the entrant finish time will be recorded.

After reaching the finish line the rafts should continue downstream towards the large willow tree on the left side of the river. Just after the tree steer your raft to the left for exit via a pontoon where marshalls will assist your safe exit.

For timings, logistics and other reasons the official timeline will be from the starting point to the bridge.

Finish Line and Pickup Point

Upon completion of the race, please remove your raft and any debris from the river as soon as safely possible via the fenced-off exit point. 

You will temporarily store your raft on the field until the end of the event. At that time, you will need to arrange for your raft to be collected. On satisfactory removal of your raft and any debris created by your raft, your deposit will be refunded by close of day back to the original booker's bank account.

Medal and trophy presentations 

The trophy presentation will be made in the Acoustic Tent at approximately 4.30 pm. 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 Information

We endeavour to make the race as safe as possible. Pre-approved precautions have been taken including ambulance, water rescue and marshalls. Please follow the safety instructions provided and follow the marshalls’ instructions on the day. In the unlikely event that any of your team is injured, please let an official know as soon as possible. All marshalls will have contact details for first aid. 

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. 

Have fun and be safe...