The full set!
The full set comprises the entry form, sponsorship form, race rules and raft specification sheets. In reality it is just 4 sheets of paper but they contain a lot of advice, commonsense and experience built up from the past 35 races. You cannot enter the race unless you have sent in your entry form and received back a raft number. Download the complete pack - Adobe Reader is required.
Race rules
Sorry, but we have to run this race with some rules and guidelines. We receive a lot of goodwill from Stratford District Council, Upper Avon Navigation Trust and commercial boat hirers, Avon Boating, so we need to respect their operating regulations and river courtesy rules otherwise we won't have a race either this year nor the next. Download the race rules - Adobe Reader is required.
Raft specification
Sorry, some more regulations. Rafters are classified into various groups such as survivor, novelty, mechanical and Formula 1. You decide which class best describes your raft but on the day the scrutineers might decide upon another category. The main thing is to design your raft and to try to cope with every land and waterborne eventuality. Going over the weir means your floats or barrels will scrape over concrete - are you barrel retaining straps strong enough to handle this especially if the raft has taken on water. Make sure all drums/barrels etc are absolutely watertight - obvious but any additional weight will slow you down by some margin. You will need somewhere to store drinks and anything to eat - can that withstand going over the weirs without falling off? Some of our pictures might help your designs. Download the Raft Specifications - Adobe Reader required.
Sponsorship forms
Please take a look at this form because it is the backbone to all fundraising and even the Government can give us something back. Gift Aid can earn us another 25% of your sponsorship monies without us having to do anything at all, so PLEASE complete the gift aid section if you can. Download the Sponsorship Form - Adobe Reader required.
Paperwork
Sadly this is a necessary evil but we try our best to minimise it.
Health and Safety dominates such events but we do our best to put it into perspective. However, certain river based rules must apply and you can be assured that we do apply them - minimum age; buoyancy aid to worn all times etc. etc.
Sponsorship - this is the most challenging area of the raft to manage. Sponsorship monies are what the race is all about, so no sponsorship means we cannot hold the race again and some very deserving cause does not benefit from our effort.
The Gift Aid scheme is superb in that it can provide us with an additional 25% on to of what you have raised. Money for old rafts.....