Tips for preparation

A number of requirements and advices, beloning to the rules.

The rowers:

• • • • • Good fitness
        • Good rowing technique, many rowed kilometres leading-up to the event
        • Good steering technique
        • Practice rowing in a life jacket
        • Practice ducking and laying flat in the boat for low level bridges

The boat:

• • • • • All material in good condition
        • Compulsary front deck
        • Gunwale height risers- wave breakers (with room for dispersal of water)
        • White lights, continually burning, to be viewed in all directions (2 storm lanterns obligatory)
        • Optional search lights which can be turned on and off
        • Race numbers which are visible (these numbers will be given upon registration)
        • Name of the boat visible
        • Minimal buoyancy 150 litre
        • Bow ball and all foot stretchers with safety straps in good order
        • Pump, bailer and sponge present in boat
        • Life jackets for each rower and coxswain (Attention: make sure that no rower’s weight exceeds the life jacket maximum. For inflatable vests check the canister expiry date)

The event:

• • • • • Study the water maps and be aware of the route
        • Watch the bridge heights (Very low in Dokkum, Sneek, Parrega!)
        • Study the alternate routes in case of bad weather (website)
        • Check the event website in the days before the event, there will be regular updates
        • The weather forecast will be discussed at the Captain’s meeting before the event begins, route changes will be given at this meeting, make sure someone from your team is present

Communication:

• • • • • Bring cell phones for safety
        • Make sure all cell phones numbers of the race organization are noted and available in the boat at all times. The important numbers will be given upon registration.
        • Make clear arrangements within the team regarding communication.
        • Make sure the event organizers have 2 mobile phonenumbers where they can contact the team during the event. (This will be noted upon registration)
        • The event organization (meldpunt = reporting point) needs to be informed of any problems encountered during the event (check emergency contact card)
        • Any team pulling-out of the event must inform the organization as soon as possible (check emergency contact card).

Safety precautions from the organization:

• • • The organization will be in contact with the Dutch weather service regarding the forecast
    • First Aid awill be on call from LRV Wetterwille on Friday afternoon, Friday evening and all day Saturday
    • There will be people trained in First Aid at every check point along the route. They will be able to administer First Aid and are in direct contact with further services in case of emergency
    • On the Slotermeer there will be two safety launches (boats) present. The safety launches will be informed ahead of time of the weather forecast and ready to act accordingly to the sometime rough conditions on the Slotermeer.
    • Telephone numbers for the local emergency services and hospitals will be given at the registration (check emergency contact card)