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| Tips for Novice Paddlers/Racers
You will want/need the following equipment:
- canoe or kayak (rental recreation canoes available)
- Coast Guard approved PFD (Personal Flotation Device)
- Dry set of clothes (in case you get wet!)
- Dry bag for wallet
- Hat/cap
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Lots of non-alcoholic fluids
- Sunglasses
- Spectators should bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets
On race day, keep in mind the following:
- Arrive early, at least an hour. You will need to register and be present for the pre-race meeting. There will be many paddlers unloading and launching their canoes. You will want to have your gear ready, make a bathroom stop, put your sunscreen on, adhere your competition number to your boat, etc.
- Be well hydrated leading up to the event and eat sensibly the day before.
Bring plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and drink before you get thirsty. The marathon course will take about three hours to complete. It may be a hot, sunny day in June. Even if you are not working hard, you will be losing fluids. No alcohol allowed.
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- Make sure you use sunscreen, as the sun's effects are inceased by the water.
- Keep your shirt on. You will remain cooler with a light-weight cotton t-shirt on than without a shirt. As you sweat, your body cools you off. If your t-shirt is wet with sweat it will do a better job of cooling.
- Wear a hat to keep the sun off your head.
- Blisters are very common--especially with novice paddlers. Try not to grip the paddle too tight and change hand position periodically.
- Racing in a tandem canoe requires teamwork and communication between partners. The bow and stern paddlers should always be paddling on opposite sisdes of the canoe. Veteran racers call "Hut!" about every 5-10 strokes to signal time to switch sides paddling. This keeps the paddlers fresher and lessens fatigue, especially with the bow paddler. Switching sides can also help control the direction of the canoe. Here's an informative article on this technique.
- Have a good warm-up.
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