GCKR Schedule of Race day events

Great Castell Kayak Race
Schedule of Events and Rules--
Race Date: Saturday June 4th, 2010

Start Location: Highway 87 Llano River overpass between Fredericksburg and mason, Texas - take the exit for the Llano river RV park and drive on the road to park under the bridge

Finish Location: 2601 Jim leifeste Rd @Riversounds - from Llano take Hwy 152 to Castell. About a 1/4 of a mile west past downtown you will see a sign for Jim Leifeste Campground. Keep to the right at all forks in the road and it will dead end into Jeri Alice Arsenault’s gate.

Packet Pick-up: Race numbers and packet pick-up will be available Saturday, June 4th from 6:00-am – 8:15 Llano River RV Park

Boat Drop: Available on Friday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Llano River Highway 87 bridge. We will have two volunteers camped out with the boats overnight to ensure safety of all equipment. Please do not leave any food with the boats over night.

Race Day Schedule: Packet pick-up and registration 6:00 AM to 8:15 AM @ Llano River RV Park. We recommend that you pre- register for the race online to ensure that you will get a race number and be able to participate in the event. Registration closes promptly at 8:15 AM to prepare for the mandatory pre-race meeting at 8:30 AM.

Pre-race meeting: mandatory for all participants at 8:30 AM in water. Please be attentive and still in during the meeting.

Recreation paddlers: Race start time 9AM - After the end of the pre-race meeting, be ready. Please make sure your boats are ready to load into the water prior to the meeting. Boats can go in the water right behind the competitor class paddlers .

Competitor class: Race start time 9AM – Please make sure your boats are ready to load into the water prior to the meeting.
Finish no later than 2:00 PM, June 5th, 2010

Race is marked: Signs will be posted on main river channel only. The race course will be marked with blue surveyor’s tape, watch carefully!

Race Finish & Take-out: is on river RIGHT (1⁄4 mile upstream of Castell low water crossing). Look for signs at in the river and turn right at the the signs, cross the sandbar (remember this is a survivor style race!) The sandbar will be clearly marked and accessible. If you see the sign, “TURN AROUND” you’ve gone too far and, literally, turn around.. To finish, cross the inlet and you must cross the finish line – through the goal post on the beach with the sign on it.

Awards ceremony - 4:00 PM at Riversounds

Race Course Description
This section of the Llano River is extremely scenic with beautiful remote shorelines. The river flows through many Hill Country ranches and the property on both sides of the river is private. Please respect private property and leave no trace as you paddle. In the section of river from Highway 87 to River Sounds the river has many large boulders and slabs of granite and gneiss. This part of the river is widely known for the one-billion year old igneous and metamorphic rocks which form the riverbed. The slabs cause the river to split in many locations providing multiple options for travel as you navigate downstream. It is important to stop and scout any sections that you are unsure of paddling thru prior to continuing downstream. Some of the segmented streams will prove to be too shallow for passage and you may have to carry or drag your boat to an area with better water-ow. If the river is on the rise rapids may cause some sections to be too dangerous to paddle and may require evaluation. Look for the deeper water and areas where water is freely moving downstream. Flora and fauna abound along the river.
The take out will be on the right hand side of the river. As you pass the Jim Leifeste campground stay to the left of the river until you see the markers for the take-out. You will cross over a sand bar and a shallow pool of water to get to Riversounds and the finish line.

Mandatory Equipment List
Cell phone or 2 way communication devise-mandatory
Coast guard approved PFD for each person in boat (personal floatation devise)-mandatory
Method for carrying 2 liters of water for each person
1 whistle

Preferred Equipment
First Aid kit
Space Blanket or rain jacket for each person
1 head lamp or bow light (not required for competitive boats)
Food
Electrolyte supplement - drinks, gels or tablets
Spare paddle
GPS

Great Castell Race policy in the event of a Natural Disaster (TBA)
The Great Castell Race has many expenses prior to the race that are paid for by early race entries. The process of running this race starts 9 months before race day. The race would not be able to continue as an annual event if 100% of the entry fees were refunded in the event of a flood. We appreciate your understanding in this matter. It is our sincere hope to put on the safest and best race event possible. NO REFUNDS.

Safety on the Course
Volunteer medical personnel and rescue crew provided by THE EXPEDITION SCHOOL. In order to provide you with professional medical support, there is zero tolerance for drugs on the race course or any race grounds. There is no alcohol allowed on the race course during the race event itself. Responsible, adult alcohol consumption is allowed at the finish line, BYOB.
Local emergency medical officials will be notified of the event. River rangers will patrol the waters of the course as necessary. A paramedic will either be on site or readily available within a reasonable amount of time during the event. Emergency medical numbers will be given to all participants. Cell phones are recommended. Failure to comply will result in disqualification. A Mandatory safety equipment list will be issued. Random required gear checks may take place during the event. Each participant must have a coast guard approved type I, II, III or V Personal Floatation Device (PFD) in his/her possession while on the water. Each boat must have at least one whistle while on the water.

THANKS TO KIMERY DUDA AND THE EXPEDITION SCHOOL