GCU MARATHON CHAMPS UPDATED : 19/ 20 SEPTEMBER 2020 – AT VICTORIA LAKE / GERMISTON

Just a reminder – GCU and VLC will be hosting Gauteng’s first official calendar event since Lockdown – GCU Marathon Championships. All registered paddlers are invited to enter.

Over 5 Months have passed since GCU last hosted a calendar event. This coming weekend is our first major canoeing event, thanks largely to a significant amount of behind-the-scenes effort by CSA and GCU to make this a reality. No matter how fit you are, or think you should be, submit your entry and come and celebrate this momentous occasion. The host venue, VLC’s  Germiston Lake’s water is in pristine condition, the weather promises to be warm and the venue is well geared from a COVID protocol perspective to ensure your safety and enjoyment.

Important Race and Safety Information:

• All entrants must be currently registered members of a canoe club affiliated to a CSA member Union (no social memberships as this is a provincial championship).
• Entries must be done online using the Canoeing South Africa online entry system at canoesa.com. There will be no entries on the day of the race.
• Online entries close on the 17^th at 24h00. Link  https://paddler.canoesa.com/
• (NB New CSA registrations can take a day or two to come through before you can access entries, plan accordingly)
• K1’s and Guppies on Saturday 19^th and K2’s on Sunday 20^th (see details below).
• PFD’s mandatory for all juniors up to and including U16. For the rest it is at your own discretion.  (NB: The Event Safety Officer may at their discretion ask that PFDs be worn by all if the weather conditions do warrant this, please make sure you do have an approved ISO standard PFD on available should this occur)
• Buoyancy required in accordance with ICF regulations  https://www.canoeicf.com/sites/default/files/marathon_rules_2017_0.pdf
• NSRI will be on site on Saturday, and a VLC rescue craft will be on the water and St Johns Ambulance service will be on site on both days.
• Limited parking available at VLC, overflow parking across the road with a car guard.

Important COVID protocol for the event:

• All entrants will be required to register on the HealthDocs app for Covid-19 screening purposes – please do this beforehand.
• All entrants, support staff, race officials, and medical staff will be screened at the entrance to the venue – please be patient and understanding and arrive early.
• Anyone deemed to be high risk in accordance with the screening criteria will be refused entry to the venue.
• Face masks are to be worn by entrants, support staff, race officials, and medical staff at all times except when racing.
• Starts will be carried out in batches if there are more than 50 entrants.
• Strictly no spectators are allowed in the demarcated event registration, start and finish areas – this includes parents and additional support members.
• There will be no prize giving or medal award ceremony afterwards. Results will be posted in numerous locations – medal winners may collect these from the designated race official on the day.
• Change rooms and ablutions will be regularly sanitised during the event.
• Food and drinks will be on sale at the COVID-compliant restaurant facilities at the VLC main club, which is separated from the event hosting area.
• Alcohol may not be brought into the venue as it is a licenced venue and it also contravenes the current COVID regulations.

Race Day 1 – Saturday 19^th September 2020 – K1’s and Guppies

• Registration to start at 8H00 for main Race, 10H45 for Guppies
• Start of Main Event @ 9H00 – this is like likely to include all age groups excluding Guppies (if the field is bigger than expected we will batch accordingly).
• Anticipated start time of Guppies @ 12H00
• Race Fees Day 1: R50 Juniors, R100 Seniors plus

Age Group Distance and Portages

Race Day 2 – Sunday 20^th September 2020 – K2 Only

• Registration to start at 8H00
• Start 9H00 – this is likely to include all age groups (if the field is bigger than expected we will batch accordingly).
• Race Fees Day 2: R50 Juniors, R100 Seniors plus – per paddler not per boat.

Age Group Distance and Portages