When the safety of the participant is not 100% guaranteed, the organisation can take the participant out of the event. The participant is at all times responsible to judge their own situation and the potential danger that could occur. The organisation will not be deemed responsible for the participant’s decisions on safety.
The race may be cancelled, postponed, or shortened if water or weather conditions are deemed too hazardous by race officials.
Paddlers must carry a mobile phone and a charge bank for charging it, in a waterproof container, at all times. The Race Director’s number must be stored in your phone – number will be informed at briefing.
All SUP paddlers must wear a PFD and quick-release waist leash at all times. PFD can be waist PFD for SUP, it must be serviced and you must be familiar with how to use it. All sit down paddlers must wear full PFD. If not wearing correct safety requirements, you will receive instant disqualification.
All paddlers must ensure they wear suitable clothing for the water and weather conditions. Water temperature will be around 5 degrees.
Competitors who see another paddler in distress MUST assist the paddler and help to gain the attention of the closest safety personnel. If you stop to assist a paddler in distress, please highlight to Race Director to readdress your final time. A witness must confirm you have stopped to assist.
In the case of an emergency please call Emergency services on 999 prior to calling the Race Director. The Great Glen Paddle Challenge advises you to place phone in waterproof bag prior to placing in waterproof container or pouch. Please ensure your mobile phone is secured on your person.
We have cut off times at checkpoints across the course, these are detailed in your race schedule. If a paddler does not arrive by the cut off time, they can opt to continue paddling the course, but it will be as an individual paddler and not under the safety of the race. Your race number, bib and tracker must be removed.
Please remember we will be paddling downwind so this will ensure a faster paddle time. If you choose to continue paddling as an individual paddler and not as part of the event you must sign a disclaimer at the checkpoint.
Please ensure you paddle the correct watercraft for the water conditions. We would advise one that is suitable for ocean conditions. The large bodies of water can resemble the ocean if the wind picks up. We do not advise the use of flat-water narrow boards / boats.
We strongly recommend you have shore support for the Great Glen Paddle Challenge. If you do not have support, you must be self-sufficient for food, hydration and do not require assistance with equipment (eg getting to and from start/finish lines). A bag can be taken to checkpoints for you. It will be the paddlers responsibility to retrieve their bag at checkpoints and place back at bag drop off. Any unclaimed bags will be return to the Fort Augustus Village Hall for Prizegiving.
Please be aware that even with the best precautions and preparations, it could take a while to reach you in these remote areas.
Please ensure you have the following kit…
Ensure you take enough food, drink and dry clothes for the full distance and in the event of a rescue. Water and snacks will be available at checkpoints but please do not rely on this for your race hydration and nutrition.
Social users and professional groups using the Caledonian Canal and the Great Glen Canoe Trail will hopefully never have to call on the emergency services. However, if something does go wrong, it is vital that you know who to call in the event of an emergency to ensure prompt action. HM Coastguard undertakes the co-ordination and initiation of Search and Rescue operations on the loch systems that make up much of the canal and the canoe trail. What you need to know is how to contact the Coastguard in the event of an emergency and what information you must have to hand.
How to contact the Coastguard in an emergency/distress: Licensed VHF radio – Channel 16 and call ‘Mayday’ Telephone – Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
All groups should have shore support, but this cannot be guaranteed so individuals and group members should be able to answer questions that are likely to be asked in the event of an emergency. You will be asked questions like ‘What has happened?’ ‘Where?’ ‘When?’ and so on. You must be able to answer those questions accurately, lives may depend on it. To help you be prepared follow the safety advice available from the Scottish Canals and the Great Glen Canoe Trail websites but also: