What you need for a canal race

A canal race needs more than boats and paddles. You also need clearly marked lanes, numbered participants, reliable communication, safety equipment and a practical setup at the start and finish. Use the quantities in your event plan to shop for the expected number of racers, volunteers and visitors. Buy or collect disposable items, batteries and printed materials early, because these are easy to overlook and difficult to replace on race day.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 6
Waste binsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Race boatsqty 12
Spare boatsqty 2
Life ringsqty 8
Life jacketsqty 20
Route buoysqty 16
Paddlesqty 30
Spare paddlesqty 6
Bib numbersqty 20
Medal ribbonsqty 120
Stopwatchesqty 6

Equipment

Walkie-Talkiesqty 8
Walkie-talkiesqty 12
Public address microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Charging stationsqty 4
Megaphonesqty 3
Laptopsqty 3
Printersqty 2

Lighting

LED lampsqty 10
String lightsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 400
Coffee cupsqty 120
Platesqty 250
Cutlery setsqty 250
Serving traysqty 12
Coffee potsqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 6
Pliersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Kettlesqty 3

Safety

First aid kitsqty 3
Blanket rollsqty 4
Safety vestsqty 35
Flashlights with blinking lightqty 8

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Event flagsqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Starting banner
Finishing cloth

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Tea assortment - 300 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 30 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Beer - 10 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Bubbles - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 30 kilograms
- Sandwich rolls - 250 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Mini wraps - 120 pieces
- Young cheese - 5 kilogram
- Aged cheese - 3 kilograms
- Boiled ham - 4 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 4 kilograms
- Hummus - 3 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Cucumber - 5 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Apples - 10 kilograms
- Bananas - 8 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Raisin buns - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Cake - 6 pieces
- Vegetarian sandwiches - 80 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Vegan toppings - 2 kilogram
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
- Hand sanitizer gel - 8 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Coffee filters - 300 pieces
- Gas cartridges - 6 pieces
- Drinking straws - 300 pieces
- Tray wrap - 4 rolls
- Cooling packs - 40 pieces

Tips

Plan one life jacket for every person who may enter a boat, plus a small reserve for replacements. Keep life rings and spare boats at the safety points rather than leaving all equipment at the start.
Prepare route buoys and route signs before shopping day, then check that you have enough to mark every turn and crossing on the sailing route. Pack a few spare signs in case one is damaged or moved.
Count bib numbers, medal ribbons and printed start lists against the confirmed participant list, not the number of registrations received. Order or print them at least several days before the race so late corrections are still possible.
Provide one walkie-talkie for each key coordinator or safety position and charge every unit before the event. Bring charging stations, extension cords and power strips, and test the range along the full route.
Estimate reusable cups and groceries for racers, volunteers and guests separately. Put waste bins near the food area, start and finish, and bring extra LED lamps or flashlights if setup or pack-down may continue after dark.

Frequently asked questions

What safety equipment do I need for a canal race?: Plan life jackets for every person on a race boat, along with life rings, safety boats and spare boats. The exact number depends on your approved safety plan, but all equipment should be checked before the first launch.
How many walkie-talkies are needed for a canal race?: Provide one charged walkie-talkie for each person coordinating the start, finish, safety boats and key route points. Add at least 2 spare units if the route is long or communication is critical.
When should I buy the canal race supplies?: Buy durable safety and setup equipment at least 2 to 4 weeks ahead. Order bib numbers, medal ribbons, printed lists and groceries early enough to allow 3 to 7 days for corrections or replacement items.
How many reusable cups and drinks do I need?: Count one reusable cup per expected attendee, then add a reserve of 10% to 15% for loss, extra servings and volunteers. For the first hour, allow roughly 2 to 3 drinks per person, adjusting for weather and event length.

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