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Written by Mark Torrington
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Sunday, 30 October 2011 |
| | | We have plotted a new and different course for the summer time-trials, to try and escape the south-easter. The route is planned to make it as beginner-friendly as possible, starting in the Duckpond, and then avoiding areas where side waves can so quickly disrupt an outing for less stable paddlers. These summer time-trials have a much more relaxed feel about them, so if you’re new to time-trials and want to start doing them, you’ll find these are less intimidating than the winter races when big waves are created by all the other boats at the start. The time-trials are 10km long and are held at 6:15pm every Tuesday. | | Section 1 |  | | Section 2 |  | | Section 3 |  | | | Here’s how the start works – it’s signalled by the number of red lights lit in a vertical row of three by the starter: | 6:00pm 00:00:00 | Timing clock will start and remain on for 12 minutes. | | 6:12pm ❶ ❷ ❸ | Clock will be turned off and first red light will be turned on. (EXACTLY 3 minutes to the start) | | 6:14pm ❶ ❷ ❸ | Second red light turned on. Two red lights now show. (EXACTLY 1 min to the start) | | 6:15pm ❶ ❷ ❸ | Third red light turned on. Three lights visible. You are now under starter’s orders and the race may be started anytime, ideally within 10 seconds. You may not start yet. | | 6:15pm + ❶ ❷ ❸ | All red lights turned off. Race starts. |
The idea is start the time-trial at 6:15pm sharp according to the starter’s watch/time. This gives everybody (whatever the weather conditions) a fair chance to get to the start-line at the same time. The onus is upon the paddlers to be lined up at the start line, ready to race, by the time the third light is lit. | - The first red light will go on EXACTLY at 6:12pm.
- The second red light will go on EXACTLY two minutes later.
- The third light comes on one minute later (at 6:15pm).
- Paddlers must time their approach to the line according to the lights.
- No instructions will issued by the starters on the bank before the start - the paddlers must react to the lights only.
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- The starter will record the boat numbers of any paddlers over the start line when the 3 red lights were turned off.
- Paddlers who jump the start will be allowed to complete the race but their times and positions will NOT be recorded and they forfeit the chance to win any prizes associated with that time-trial and their names will be added to a “Jumpers’ List”.
- The starter and the spotter(s) will not warn or attempt to get jumpers back into line before the start.
- After the race, there will be no debate as to who jumped and who was caught or not.
- The starters’ decision, after consultation with the spotters, will be final.
| | The bar and kitchen will be open as usual afterwards. Please support Carol by eating there. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 April 2012 )
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