My 3rd at 10 AM - a Spring race on the D and R canal! 

A canal mule would pull a barge 15 miles per day. Can you complete a half mule-day on the canal? If so, join us for the 8.6 mile canal race in Princeton, NJ. 

We will start at Turning Basin Park and head 4.3 miles upstream to "the tunnel" and back (counterclockwise turn). DO NOT GO THROUGH THE TUNNEL.  If you have gone through the tunnel, you have gone too far. Also, it's dark in there.  

This is THE premier drafting practice race in the greater central New Jersey region (at least that's what I've decided to put in this advertisement). 

Race day safety checks and waiver signing will start at 9 AM. Race waves will start at 10 AM. Racers may be split into waves based on expected speed due to start line constraints, but the conditions are PERFECT for drafting.

Haven't determined the race souvenir for this year yet, more news on that soon. 

Half-mule Trophy to the first man and first woman overall and then also to the first man over 50 and first woman over 50. Bragging rights to the rest. (I may order a few more half-mule trophies so stay tuned for additional awards.) 

I will also recognize the MOST IMPROVED paddler (or team). Anyone who has done the canal race before is eligible. I will compare the time from the current canal race to your most recent canal race.

 All proceeds from the race will go to the Canal Watch organization to support projects within the D and R Canal Park.

Registration: No race day registration. All registration must be done online prior to May 1st.

Weather: The race will be cancelled in the case of flooding or lightning. There will be no refunds for a cancellation. The race will occur in spite of rain or low temperature. 

Safety: All racers will be required to have a life jacket in the boat or on their person, hydration, and a pealess whistle. All racers will be required to fill out a waiver. All racers (or team captains for tandems) will be required to attend the captains meeting.

Racing rules:

1. Don't be a jerk.

2. Keep RIGHT when paddling past paddlers going the other way. 

3. Counterclockwise turns.

4. Cross-class drafting is allowed and encouraged.

5. Must have a life jacket in the boat and accessible (or wearing it)

6. Must have a whistle (per our insurance)

Mandatory pre-race meeting - We will hold the meeting at 8 PM on May 2nd ( the Friday night before the race).  There will be info about safety and the start. We will hold a safety meeting day of as well just to go back over the safety rules.

Race classes:

HPK-1 - Solo high performance kayak. (Surf skis, racing kayaks, etc)

HPK-2 - Tandem high performance kayak (Surf skis, racing kayaks, etc)

C-1 - Racing canoe solo.

C-2 - racing canoe tandem.

OC-1 - Outrigger canoe solo.

OC-2 - Outrigger canoe tandem.

SUP

Recreational - No strict definition for this, but you know if your boat is a rec boat or not.  (If you don't know, then it's probably a rec boat.)

Lunch:

TBD - trying to get lunch catered to the park.