Race Information

The race start will be at Plum Park on the Colorado River Saturday, August 18, 2012. Finding the park can be a bit tricky as there are no park signs until you get to the park entrance. From Hwy 71 turn on Prairie Valley Road. You will go past an old church, cross a rail road track and the road will take a sharp left and then a right. The park is at the end of the road.

Address:
1517 Prairie Valley Rd.
Westpoint, TX 78963
http://goo.gl/maps/9uywa

PARKING AT PLUM PARK

Vehicles that are only dropping off boats may enter and leave immediately. Vehicles that will be parked longer than 30 minutes and vehicles in the park after 7:30am will need to pay a $5 cash per vehicle entry fee. There will be a parking attendant at the entrance to collect fees and issue parking permits. Parking area is located near the bathroom. Boat drop off area and racer/volunteer check in is located at the circle at the end of the park road. Vehicles in boat drop off area must pull over so other vehicles may pass. Vehicles in the boat drop off area may not be longer than 5 minutes.

CHECK IN AT PLUM PARK

All racers must check in at the registration table between 6:30am and 8:30am Saturday morning. (pre-race meeting starts 8:30am). All boats will be issued a race number which needs to be fixed to the bow of the boat on the left side. All racers please write your race number on your hand with a sharpie. All racers and volunteers must sign waivers prior to race start. Race day registration must be paid in cash- no checks please, credit cards are not accepted. All racers under age 18must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. If you have made advance shuttle reservations, please pay at the check in and you will be given a bus pass for boarding the bus in La Grange. To get your post race food you will need to show your race number marked on your hand at the finish.

MANDATORY GEAR CHECK

There will be a race volunteer at
the start to check all boats for mandatory gear:

PFD for each racer must be in the boat.
Children under 18 must wear PFD and it must fit properly.
First aid kit- your choice
Cell phone (in dry bag or case)
Proper means of hydration and ample food for the duration of the race
Recommended: GPS, Spot Tracker, wide brimmed hat, long sleeved shirt, sunscreen, spare paddle

PRE RACE SHUTTLE PROVIDED BY BASTROP RIVER COMPANY

Shuttle is limited to 24 riders on a first come, first serve advance RSVP only. Drop boats and leave Plum Park at 7:30am. Drive to race finish at the public boat ramp on Bus Hwy 71 in La Grange (Buffalo Trail Park). Park vehicles. Do not leave valuables visible. Lock doors. We are not responsible for vehicles or personal property. Bus leaves La Grange at 8:00am sharp to take racers back to the start at Plum Park. You will need a bus pass to board the bus. There will not be a shuttle to take you back after the race. Email RSVP to kanoeklasika@gmail.com

EVENT SCHEDULE

Registration opens 6:30am
Shuttle leaves La Grange 8:00am (shuttle is advance RSVP only)
Pre-Race meeting 8:30am
Kanoe Klasika race start 9:00am
State Aluminum Championship race start 9:30am
Post race activities begin at the race finish in La Grange (band, food, etc) 1:00pm
Awards 2:00pm

RACE FINISH

Race finish is Buffalo Trail Park at the public boat ramp at Business 71 in La Grange. Look for the white iron bridge that crosses the Colorado River. Driving from Plum Park you will drive over the bridge and make an immediate right turn at the public boat ramp sign. The Lion’s Club of La Grange has arranged for post race food and a band. Please plan to hang out a while at the race finish and have fun!

RACE COURSE

The race course is approximately 18 river miles. All racers must be self sufficient and prepared with ice/water/electrolytes/sports drink (do not just drink water- see heat advisory below) and food to last for the duration of the event. There are no water stops. Racers are encouraged to take with them: coolers, igloo jugs, frozen water bottles, etc. There are no take out points (there is no public land access) and racers will not be evacuated unless it is an emergency. All racers are required to carry a cell phone and a GPS and Spot Tracker are highly recommended so that you would be able to provide your location in the event of an emergency. Racers are instructed to call 911 in the event of an emergency. Racers must notify a race official if they exit the race course before the La Grange finish. Racers are encouraged to call a race official if they need help and it is not life threatening. Racers need to call and check in with a race official if they will be on the course past 5pm. Here are some time estimates:

2 mph = 9 hours (slowest boats)
3 mph = 6 hours
4 mph = 4.5 hours (average boats)
5 mph = 3.6 hours
6 mph = 3 hours (fastest race boats)

HEAT ADVISORY AND RIVER HAZZARDS

All racers need to be advised that the river is at a historically low level and there are numerous shallow spots where you may run aground. In the event that this should happen, simply step out of the boat, drag the boat until it floats and get back in. There are a few sweepers, rocks and other obstacles that racers could get caught in or pushed under. Novice paddlers should pull up to the gravel bar and drag their boat around the object. Again, the water is shallow enough to jump out and stand up almost anywhere. Use your paddle to check the depth before you exit the boat. If in doubt, be sure to wear your PFD. You will need to know how to self-rescue. If you get into trouble, and no one is around walk up to the nearest road or house. Use your cell phone to call for help. Notify race officials if you are unable to continue or if you are delayed. There are two sets of shallow rapids where you will need to exit the boat and get back in. The greatest hazard there is slipping and falling or damaging your boat. Please use caution. If you need to be extracted, you will need to at least get down past the second set of rapids in order for a motor boat to reach you.
Racers also must use caution and knowhow to take care of themselves in the heat. Get in the water and cool off as needed. Take electrolytes and/or sports drinks and eat a small portion of food every hour. The longer you are out there, the greater the risk.

Hyponatremia, (a life threatening condition) also called water intoxication, is generally the result of drinking excessive amounts of plain water which causes a low concentration of sodium in the blood. Once a rare occurrence at sporting events, it is becoming more prevalent as participation increases and more novice exercisers are entering endurance events. Please read about it here: http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/hydrationandfluid/a/Hyponatremia.htm

Symptoms of Hyponatremia

The early warning signs are often subtle and may be similar to dehydration and include nausea, muscle cramps, disorientation, slurred speech, and confusion. At this point, many athletes drink more water because they think they are dehydrated. Unfortunately, water alone will increase the problem of hyponatremia. At the most extreme an athlete may experience seizures, coma, or death.

Treatment of Hyponatremia

At the first sign of symptoms an athlete should drink a sodium containing sports drink or eat salty foods. Ideally, an athlete should plan ahead and estimate his or her fluid loss and need for sodium replacement during the event, and stay on a hydration schedule during the race. If the symptoms are extreme, a medical professional should be seen.

We hope you have a great race! Thank for supporting the event and the La Grange Lion's club scholarship fund! We welcome any positive feedback.