KUWAIT CITY, April 19: Organizers of the 2010 Q8 Raft Race Competition have started preparations for the event, which will be held on April 30 at Hilton Kuwait Resort.
The competition aims to offer the possibility of participation to students, teachers, company colleagues, association members and expatriate communities as it is open to any enthusiastic, sports-loving and health or fitness conscious residents in Kuwait to ensure fair competition. All teams have a chance to practice in the splendid beach of Hilton Kuwait Resort on standard, heavy duty and inflatable rafts with a capacity of up to 10 persons. This arrangement kicked off April 3 and will last until the day of the competition.
Teams rowing on above standard rafts will compete with each other. There will be a maximum of five rowing lanes separated by individual buoys and floating markers with each lane having its own turn-around buoy.
Since the rafts are light weight — approximately 40 kilograms - the minimum number of team members is six and maximum is fixed at 10. There will be three categories — men, women and mixed. Number of men and women should be equal in mixed crew teams.
Depending on the number of teams participating in each category, there will be heats, in case there are more than 5 teams in a particular category. The first and second team of each individual team will qualify for the final. In case of a large number of teams in any category, the organizing committee will decide on the necessity and rules of semi-final heats to reduce the number of teams for the finals.
Competitors must be above 14 years in any category.
No special skills are required as the rafts can be powered by muscle force only using uniform paddles provided with the rafts. Crew members should remain the same between the heat and the final. Only one substitute per team is allowed in any category. Team members must wear the ID cards which will be distributed at the beginning of the race. Rafts must pass the buoys marking the course of the lane on the starboard side (right) of the raft. Passing onto another team’s lane or passing around the wrong side of the buoy will result in disqualification. Team members are also advised to wear a life jacket in case any member is not a competent swimmer.
The organizers will take the necessary, reasonable safety measures, however, the organizing committee cannot be held responsible for any injury, damage or loss incurred by participants as competitors taking part at the event do so at their own risk.
As rafting is a traditional fun event for many people, the main aim is to have fun, for everyone to enjoy the day and for no one to get hurt. The organizers want the day to go smoothly with no one missing their race or feeling cheated. Each team should appoint a captain who will co-ordinate the raft team and act as the organizers’ main point of contact. A captain’s briefing will be held one week prior to the event.
Teams wishing to participate are invited to register by completing the registration form (containing the name of the team, name of team members, name and contact details of the captain). The form should be forwarded to: q8raftcompetition@gmail.com.
Captains will be contacted for discussion of training schedules and collection of team member photos for the purpose of distribution of entry badges.
On the day of the race, team members — up to 30 persons — will be allowed to enter the resort for free, while visitors and guests should purchase a ticket at following rates: KD 12.000 for adults, KD 6.000 for children up to 12 years, and KD 2.000 for children up to age five. Entry fee includes cold and hot snacks, as well as unlimited consumption of refreshments.
All tickets automatically enter for the raffle draw. Prizes will be displayed at the entrance of the resort. No food, drink and advertising material will be allowed inside. Team members and ticket holders will wear a bracelet provided by the resort. Food and beverages will be served to those wearing the bracelet provided by the resort.
Tickets to the event are available on a pre-event sale basis and can be reserved by completing a form. All groups / sponsors registering for the competition will receive 50 tickets for sale upon registration. Collection of ticket sale price, providing further tickets or return of un-sold tickets will be arranged by the organizers.
A3 size posters advertising the event will be handed over to the representative of each team. Teams are allowed to advertise their company by putting company logos on the dress or T-shirt of the team members, but no beverage brands should be displayed or advertised by participants due to the sponsorship arrangements.
There will be tickets for sale on the day of the event, too, however, due to difficulties of providing additional food and beverages only a limited number of tickets will be available for sale at the resort entrance on the day of competition.
Participation at the daily training sessions and in the competition (in all categories) is subject to payment of a one time fee of KD 600 for team group (all events, maximum team number between 20 to 30); KD 450 for team group (all events, maximum team number between 10 to 20); and KD 300 for team group (all events, maximum team number up to 10) payable upon commencement of training by the different team groups. Last date of entry of team groups is on April 20, 2010.
Additional activities in the event include children playground, beach volleyball, beach football, DJ-dancing, karaoke and costume show.