Canoe marathon shopping list

A canoe marathon needs more than boats and paddles. This shopping list covers the equipment for registration, route marking, safety, communication, timing and refreshments at the start and finish. Plan quantities from your confirmed participant count, then add spares for the items that can fail or disappear during a long day outdoors. Buy or source disposable supplies and chilled catering at least one day ahead; test powered equipment and radios before loading the vehicles.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Registration desk
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Route buoysqty 20
Start flagsqty 2
Finish arch
Bib numbersqty 120
Participant vestsqty 120
Medal ribbonsqty 120
Stopwatchesqty 6
Paddlesqty 6
Spare paddlesqty 6

Safety

Life jacketsqty 20
Throw linesqty 6
Life ringsqty 6
First aid kitsqty 3
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Nitrile glovesqty 4
Flashlightsqty 8

Communication

Walkie-talkiesqty 12
Megaphonesqty 2

Equipment

Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Kettlesqty 3

Signage

Route arrowsqty 20
Warning signsqty 8
Barrier tapeqty 6
Conesqty 24
Chalkboardsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Platesqty 140
Cutlery setsqty 140
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Lighting

LED lampsqty 10
String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Waste sorting binsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Isotonic sports drink - 60 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee cups - 180 pieces
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Multigrain bread - 12 loaves
- White buns - 100 pieces
- Wholegrain rolls - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Soup - 25 liters
- Soup bowls - 140 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Bananas - 12 kilo
- Apples - 12 kilos
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 80 pcs

Tips

Prepare one participant vest, bib number and medal ribbon per entrant, then add at least 10% spare bibs and ribbons for replacements or last-minute changes.
For a long course, use route buoys and signs at every turn, crossing or hazard rather than relying on memory. Pack extra markers and the tools needed to secure them before leaving for the route.
Keep safety equipment distributed, not in one central box: place life jackets, throw lines, life rings and first aid kits with the safety crew and rescue boats, and check every kit before departure.
Bring at least one spare paddle for each rescue boat or support point, plus stopwatches for the finish team. Test the stopwatches, megaphones and walkie-talkies on the actual route before participants arrive.
Allow one registration place per event, with a laptop, printer, extension cords and power strips packed together. Chill drinks and food in coolers, and fill thermos flasks before the first start rather than during registration.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a canoe marathon?: You need route buoys, start flags, a finish arch, bib numbers, participant vests, paddles, spare paddles and stopwatches. Also prepare life jackets, throw lines, life rings, first aid kits, emergency blankets, walkie-talkies and megaphones for safety and coordination.
How many spare bib numbers should I buy for a canoe marathon?: Prepare one bib number per registered participant and add about 10% spare numbers. For 80 participants, that means 88 bib numbers, allowing for damaged, lost or changed entries.
How much safety equipment is needed for a canoe marathon?: Each rescue boat or safety point should have the equipment assigned to it before race day, including life jackets, a throw line and access to a life ring and first aid kit. Confirm the final quantities with your safety plan and permit requirements at least one week before the event.
When should I buy supplies for a canoe marathon?: Buy or collect non-perishable equipment at least one week ahead so missing items can be replaced. Purchase chilled catering and ice one day before, then test the printer, power leads, radios and timing equipment on the day before the race.

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