SurfSKI Marathon
The H2ProHydrate British Ocean Ski Marathon is a 26 mile race (in association with the Paddle Round The Pier Beach festival, Surf Ski GB and SLSGB)
The Race
As part of the first ever Maritime Marathon; The race will consist of two laps of a triangular course based off the Brighton coastline. Final course route will be announced the night before dependent on conditions (the final third of the triangle will always be endeavoured to be the downwind leg)
This race is for Double Skis (completing the full course) or Single Skis in teams of two who will complete one circuit each and who will be required to exchange a baton in the water at mid-point off the beach
Date: Saturday July 7th (reserve day Sunday 8th)
By invitation only – limited entry 
If you have not already received an official invite:
To be considered for entry send an email detailing your experience to robin@precisionhydration.com
Final Date for registration is May 1st 2012 
Race Entry fee (non refundable) is £25 per head (hence £50 per team of 2) – this will include day membership to SLSGB who are the governing body for the race and whose general requirements for Ocean Ski racing you will need to comply with
All entrants are expected to raise a further £75 (min) in sponsorship (proceeds go to the nominated Paddle charities for this year).
Prize Money:
1st prize = £750 (this will be awarded to the first boat over the line, be that a Double Ski or a Single Ski
Lottery Price = £250 – open to all entrants (all entrants names that complete the course will be put into a hat and a winner drawn at random)
You will need to download two forms (send the registration form off with the fee and keep the sponsorship form with you until the race day)
Download entrance form here
Download Sponsorship form here
You must pre-register for this race by sending a cheque for £50, money order or cash payable to “Paddle Round The Pier” (the sponsorship money collected can be handed in at registration on the 7th July) along with your registration form to:
PRTP Beach festival “OceanSki”
74 Hill Farm Way
Southwick
West Sussex
BN42 4YH
Online entries will also be available and these will be posted separately within the next few weeks
Registration times TBC
Race Briefing times TBC
Race Start times TBC
Registration in the main marquee of the Paddle Village based on Hove Lawns (Address for your sat-nav Brighton & Hove Boundary, Kings Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN3 2WN). Anyone not pre-registered/paid-up will not be allowed to enter the race.
In addition to standard SLSGB race rules you will be required to have the following equipment – all competitors will be required to carry:
1. A minimum of 2 litres of water (in a “Hydration pack” device provided by yourself). There will be further bottled water in safety boats if required.
2. A mobile/cell phone in a waterproof case. In the unlikely event of problems competitors will be able to call the land support vehicle from shore for collection. You will be given (and asked to program into your phone) our emergency telephone number for beach/water pick-ups (NB dependant on the course you may be approx 3 miles off-shore at times).
3. An adequate sun-block and we strongly recommend carrying a lightweight hat for further protection plus sun glasses.
4. You will be required to wear a rash vest (provided by the organisers)
5. You will be required to carry a whistle (provided by the organisers
Spare paddles may be carried (marked with your contact details please) in the safety support boats.
Race start Before entering the water you will be required to collect a numbered wrist band and a competition rash vest from the race co-ordinator. You must hand both back to the race co-ordinator as soon as you finish the race – any competitor failing to do this will be disqualified from the race. If you are withdrawn or voluntarily choose to leave the race before completion then the safety boat will call-in your entry number however you must still return both wrist band and race vest to the race coordinator on your immediate return to the paddle village (start/finish line).
Expect to be in the water a minimum of 4 hours (or two for each Single Ski) (please utilise your water supply).
Alerting the safety boats – If you wish to attract the attention of a safety support boat you MUST sit on your ski and put the blade of your paddle in the air. If in earshot please blow the safety whistle supplied to you. Please inform a safety boat or water safety officer (in orange) if it is your intention to paddle in to shore to quit the race. You must, on landing on the beach immediately call the emergency telephone number given to you before the race. Paddle Round The Pier, the race organisers, Precision Hydration or SLSGB cannot be held responsible for damage to your craft in the case of rescue – please remember your safety is our first concern.
Check points – to keep things safe and to give you markers to aim for: There will be four markers on the course (highlighted by a designated safety boats at each turning corner of the triangular course and the half way mark (in front of the Paddle village). You must reach each marker by a pre determined time otherwise you will be plucked from the water by the back marker boat. This allows for a minimum 4mph stroke. If you fall below this speed please be aware you will be collected from the water. (This is for your own safety and to stop our boredom waiting for you!)
Please note that by taking part in the Water Marathon that you also agree to take part the following day in the actual “Paddle Round The Pier” – this time just for the 5 minute fun of it and at a leisurely pace!
Contact Robin at Precision Hydration for more information on robin@precisionhydration.com
Good luck.
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