What to expect!
If this is your first raft race then we understand that it can be quite daunting to put together a crew, build a raft and then.....what happens on the day?
The start field - location
Literally it is just a farmer's field with a bank to the River Avon. The village of Wasperton provides fairly narrow access but most lorries can carefully navigate it through successfully. You will arrive say an hour before your designated launch time and offload the raft and your crew after which your raft transport would be advised to go to the finish field in Stratford because you will need to reclaim your raft at the finish. You are then free to build or fine tune your raft as necessary.
The start field offers toilets (free), a good breakfast (chargeable) and a lot of light hearted banter (free) so there is generally plenty going on.
The Formula 1 rafts depart first at around 9am because they are interested in their time down the course. Other classes are, of course, also interested in their times but finishing generally is even more important!
Hampton Lucy Weir
After several miles paddling you will come to the first weir. We have divers above it and canoes both above and below. It is important that you follow all instructions given by the divers because they are there to ensure your safe transit over the weir.
Alveston Weir
You are about half way at this point. Having passed Charlecote House and Park , as with the previous weir there are safety crews to assist you over it but this might be a case of getting off the raft and rejoining it at the bottom of the weir.
The Finish - location
This will be a most welcome sight! The Formula 1 rafts arrive at around 10:30am and then there is a gap of 30 minutes or more until the next rafts arrive. The race concludes about 100m past the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre where we have members of the Stratford Fire & Rescue team to help you out of the river and they will remove your raft from the river on to the recreation ground from where we will arrange to move it close to your raft transport vehicle. There will also be available some hot drinks which you will need even on a warm day. It is sensible if your families/friends and supporters can bring something warm for you to wear because the river is cold at all times of year.
Oh yes, and you will also feel much relief, stiffness and a great sense of achievement.
Breakfast
Our partners believe that a day's paddling on the Avon should be preceded with a good breakfast. It smells 'to die for' and usually sells out. Be quick!
On the way
After launching you will have to navigate over 2 weirs the first of which is at Hampton Lucy
(above)....
Close to the finish
And then look forward to the finish in Stratford.....