Rules and Information

PLEASE NOTE...THE SPECIFICS WILL BE AMENDED asap (these are 2017's). BUT CHANGES WILL PROBABLY ONLY BE TIMES.

Route:- At 10.30 the start will be from the Beach at Y Felinheli, all rafts then have to head North East towards the Bridges - Rafts must then pass under Britannia Bridge, mainland side arch (the right hand side) and then leave Ynys Gorad Goch and the Swellie Rock on the port side (your left hand side) - then under the main span of the Suspension Bridge

Carry on down the right hand side of the Strait before crossing towards Anglesey, to go around the mooring Barge. Then to the Finish line.

The Finish will be between Princes Pier Wharf and the moored dinghy with a large floating marker inside it and you will be heading back towards the Bridges 

To qualify as a finisher each person, in each raft, will then proceed to the Princes Pier Wharf and hand in their Numbered Tally Band to the Count Marshal  (this is a very important safety check).

Raft Recovery

Please phone for your support team only when you get to the slipway to avoid chaos – trailers without rafts and rafts without vehicles is a big problem  

Please Note

We are giving a trophy for the most Funds raised for a Charity. – Over the next couple of weeks you will receive a phone call/e mail to find out how well you have done. – Who ever is the winner they will be awarded this trophy given by Elim Garages.

WARNING

So far we have had no reports this year that there is any increase in the number of jellyfish. If you do get stung let the medics know and/or treat it with vinegar until hot water is available [from Wikipedia  Applying vinegar to common jellyfish stings deactivates the nematocysts; however, placing the affected areas in hot water is a more effective treatment because the venom is deactivated by heat.

 

 

The Great Strait Raft Run 2017

Rules & Regulations  

Sunday 3rd June A full list of rules and information is listed below. The rules and definitions are to assist your planning of the Raft Run:

Entries are restricted to 55 rafts on a first come first served basis;

Rafts must be sat upon, not in (canoe/dinghy type construction will not be accepted);

Each raft must carry a minimum of 3 persons and a maximum of 11;

Each person must wear personal buoyancy aid/lifejacket at all times on the water;

The raft may have any number of hulls;

The hulls must not be commercially manufactured;

The Raft most have inherent buoyancy eg if waves fill up the raft it must still float

Entries will be divided into the following CLASSES –

    All classes are muscle powered/sail assisted

a] – Time Chaser Trophy   [was Super Class]

b] – Best of the Rest Trophy  [was Fun Raft Class]

c] – Junior Class

d] – Female Class

e] – Pub Class

f] – Judges Choice Trophy picked from class a, b, c & d [Best Effort in the judges opinion]

g] -  Elim Trophy - Raft raising the most Money 

Junior entrants [class c] must be over 14 years of age and under 18 years on the 3rd June 2017(One adult must accompany each junior raft);

All participants in class  a, b, d and e must be over 14 years of age on the 3rd June 2017;

All crew members must carry a paddle plus 1 spare per raft (single blade paddles are only permitted);

All rafts must be equipped with a 5mt tow rope securely attached to a strong point at the front of the raft

So spectators can see who’s who, each raft must have its entry number painted and displayed on the left hand side of the raft, on a board 12” x 24” high, mounted on a pole. [possibly a broom stick];

The approach to the start area is by means of narrow streets. HGVs and articulated vehicles will not be allowed. All vehicles & trailers should approach by way of Ffordd Caernarfon & Rowen to Ffordd Glan y Mor, i.e. from the Caernarfon direction.

Recovery of your raft, at the finish will be controlled by Marshals. To reduce congestion and to make the operation safer please follow their instructions. There will be a mooring pontoon, clearly marked, off the Menai slipway. Rafts should tie up to this pontoon and await instruction from the marshals regarding recovery. Please DO NOT block the slipway

Any person found to be intoxicated will not be allowed to compete

Before any one can participate the captain and crew members must sign confirmation, on form provided, that they understand and agree that they:-                                                                                     a.  Have a prime duty of care to other participants, especially when on the water

b.  Must be capable of swimming in cold water with the aid of the required buoyancy aid                    

c.  Must be physically and medically fit to take part

d.  Are over 14 years or between 14 & 18 if entered in the junior class on the 3rd June 2017            

e.  Must agree to behave considerately, and obey instructions from officials

Crews should be alongside their rafts in the start area 5 minutes before the start time

All rafts should be on the shore side of the starting rope & Flags until released.

All rafts & crew will be inspected by the Scrutineers whose decisions will be final

Start time is planned for 10.30hrs. This year it cannot be delayed due to tidal conditions. One warning gun and one start gun will be fired, one at 5 Min & one at the start. A rope & National flags will indicate the start line. Marshals will be on hand to ensure that you stay behind the start rope and flags before the start. On the start gun, Marshals will drop the rope then lower the flags to indicate the start.

The finishing line will be between Princes Pier [the wharf by the slipway] the moored dinghy with a large floating marker inside. Also see course page 

 Each person on every raft will be given a numbered tally band which must be handed in to the Count Marshal on Princes Pier when they have finished. THIS IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE ORGANISERS TO BE ABLE TO ACCOUNT FOR THE SAFE ARRIVAL OF EACH ENTRANT.

Prize giving will be held in Menai Bridge Memorial Hall in Sept along with the donations to the local causes. All Rafts will be notified of the exact date near the time

Elim Trophy - To find the winner, the final amount you have raised for your Charity needs to be sent to the Organisers at info@greatstraitraftrun.co.uk

Please note that it is a Council By-law that your raft cannot be left on or near the slipway and you will be charged for removal.

 

SAFETY

Please Do:-

Wear protective headgear and suitable footwear

Bring a change of dry clothing

Wear a wet suit or suitable warm clothing on the water

Be on time for briefings, scrutineering and starting

Be alert for any announcements of changes

Have a safe and enjoyable day

Please Don’t:-

Drink alcohol, before or during the run, as the cold water and drink DO NOT MIX

Do anything to spoil the day for others

Safety boat cover for the raft run will be provided.

It should be noted that the prime function of the safety boats is to look after the competitors and therefore the towing of any raft will be secondary.

Each raft will be scrutinised on the day, and if in the opinion of the organisers, the raft is not seaworthy, it will be eliminated and the entry fee forfeited.

The time of the start will coincide with favourable tidal conditions running through picturesque and challenging tidal waters to Porthaethwy [Menai Bridge].

Please ensure that all raft material is cleared from the slipway

 

HELP US TO HELP YOU

ENTRY FORMS  To be completed and returned with a cheque for £70, made payable to ‘Menai Bridge Raft Run Charity’, to reach us by 21st of May 2023, after which date entry fees will increase to £80. 

CANCELLATION. In the event of the run being cancelled due to weather conditions on the day of the run, £20 will be re-funded. (This decision would not be taken unless it is considered unsafe to proceed).

THOUGHT. If you are short of a cause for which to raise money, you might consider the Menai Bridge Raft Run Charity fund No 1121383 – proceeds from which will be distributed to local Charities and other local good causes.

Entry forms to be completed and returned (together with large stamped & addressed envelope) to:  The Organisers, Menai Bridge Charity Raft Run, C/o 1 Rhes Menai, Porthaethwy/Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5EL