What you need for a merry-go-round boat race

A merry-go-round boat race needs more than boats and paddles. You will need clearly marked route points, reliable safety equipment, and a way for the start, jury, and rescue teams to stay in contact. Plan supplies for competitors, volunteers, and spectators separately, especially life jackets, waterproof storage, drinks, and toilet facilities. Use this list alongside your permits, participant rules, and volunteer assignments so missing equipment is found before race day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 100
Bar stoolsqty 6
Buffet tablesqty 4
Waste binsqty 8
Coat racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Competition buoysqty 12
Anchorsqty 12
Anchor linesqty 12
Start flagsqty 2
Finish flagsqty 2
Route signsqty 10
Bib numbersqty 25
Life jacketsqty 30
Life ringsqty 4
Throw linesqty 4
Whistlesqty 12
Waterproof bagsqty 10
Judging boat
Rescue boat
Paddlesqty 8
Mooring linesqty 12

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 10
Megaphoneqty 2
Sound system
Microphoneqty 2
Stopwatchesqty 6
Laptopsqty 2
Printer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 8
First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 8
Work lightsqty 4
Flashlightsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Tea glassesqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Carafesqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Ice containersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 8
Food warmersqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 20
Tableclothsqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Prizesqty 6
Medal ribbonsqty 25
Bib numbersqty 25

Cleaning

Trash bag holdersqty 8
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Paper towel rollsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 2 kilos
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Mixed nuts - 4 bags
- Salty breadsticks - 6 bags
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Buns - 150 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Butter - 1.5 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 12 tubs
- Egg salad - 8 tubs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Arugula - 1.5 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Red onion - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Pasta salad - 12 kilos
- Potato salad - 10 kilos
- Mixed green salad - 8 kilos
- Salad dressing - 8 bottles
- Vegetable soup - 15 liters
- Tomato soup - 15 liters
- Breadsticks - 8 packs
- Meatballs - 8 kilo
- Vegetarian meatballs - 4 kilo
- Satay sauce - 4 kilo
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Dextrose - 100 bars
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Vegan brownies - 20 pieces
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Vegan spread - 2 kilos
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Hand dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Nitrile gloves - 4 boxes
- Kitchen gloves - 4 pairs
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Ice cubes - 40 kilos
- Gas cartridges - 8 pieces

Tips

Buy or hire one life jacket for every person who may board a racing, jury, or rescue boat, and keep spare sizes available. Add life rings and throw lines to the rescue setup rather than storing them in a tent or car.
Count competition buoys and anchor lines against the course map, then add anchors and a few spare route signs. Missing one marker can make the course unclear, especially when several boats are racing at once.
Pack one waterproof bag for each boat team handling phones, keys, forms, or radios. Keep walkie-talkies in waterproof storage and test the full communication chain before participants arrive.
Prepare start flags, finish flags, bib numbers, stopwatches, and a megaphone together in a labelled race-control box. Keep a printer and laptop available for last-minute participant or start-number changes.
Do the drinks shopping after confirming registrations and dietary requirements. Chill drinks before the event, and provide separate waste bins near the party tents, buffet tables, and boat-side waiting areas.

Frequently asked questions

How many life jackets do I need for a merry-go-round boat race?: Provide one correctly sized life jacket for every person who may be on a racing, jury, or rescue boat at the same time. Add several spare sizes so a late participant or volunteer is not left without one.
How many buoys are needed to mark the race course?: The number depends on the route map and how often you need to change direction. Count every planned route point, add an anchor and anchor line for each buoy, and keep at least two spare buoys or signs for replacements.
What safety equipment should I buy for a boat race?: Plan life jackets, life rings, throw lines, whistles, waterproof bags, and working communication equipment for the boats and shore team. Check the equipment at least one day before the race and test radios before launching.
When should I buy and chill drinks for the boat race?: Shop after registrations and dietary requirements are confirmed, then chill drinks on the day before or early on event day. Keep a separate supply for competitors and volunteers so the drinks reserved for the race team do not run out.

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