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 safety equipment for every participant, clear route and finish markers, waterproof materials, communication gear and a practical registration point. This shopping list also covers the items people often leave until race day, such as spare paddles, power banks, coolers, lights and supplies for coffee, tea and snacks. Use the participant count and number of teams to set quantities before buying or collecting equipment.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 3
Folding tableqty 8
Folding chairqty 80
Bar stoolqty 10
Waste binqty 8
Registration desk

Sports equipment

Boatqty 12
Spare paddleqty 12
Life jacketqty 90
Life ringqty 6
Rescue lineqty 6
Starting buoyqty 2
Route buoyqty 10
Finish buoyqty 2
Waterproof route mapqty 15
Bib numberqty 12
Stopwatchqty 4
Waterproof writing boardqty 6

Equipment

Two-way radioqty 8
Megaphoneqty 2
Portable speakerqty 2
Extension cordqty 4
Power stripqty 4
Power bankqty 8
Mobile phoneqty 4
Waterproof phone caseqty 8

Lighting

LED lampqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Decorations

Starting flagqty 2
Finish flagqty 2
Route signqty 12
Arrow signqty 20
Prize Glassqty 3
Medalsqty 36

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassqty 120
Coffee cupqty 80
Plateqty 120
Cutlery setqty 120

Kitchen

Cool boxqty 8
Thermosqty 6
Coffee makerqty 2
Kettleqty 2
Serving platterqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Cutting boardqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Cooling packqty 24
Bottle openerqty 4
Dishpanqty 3
Kitchen towelqty 12

Cleaning

First aid kitqty 2
Fire extinguisherqty 2
Mopqty 2
Bucketqty 4
Hand brush and dustpanqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea selection - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 packs
- Spa Red - 4 packs
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 six-packs
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini bake-off rolls - 8 bags
- Butter - 4 packs
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Herb cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Smoked chicken breast - 2 kilograms
- Vegetarian slices - 2 kilograms
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snack nuts - 6 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Cupcakes - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian wraps - 40 pieces
- Chicken wraps - 60 pieces
- Herbs - 1 set
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Glass trash bags - 10 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs

Tips

Plan one life jacket per person in every boat, plus at least one spare for the event team. Keep a life ring and rescue line ready at the start or finish area, not packed away in a vehicle.
Prepare one bib number for each participant and keep a few blank or spare numbers available for late changes. Put the numbers, waterproof writing board and route map at the registration desk.
Use clearly different starting, route and finish buoys so crews can identify the course from the water. Pack a waterproof copy of the route map for each safety or coordination point.
Bring one spare paddle per boat and test every paddle, buoy, radio and stopwatch before loading the trailers. Charge mobile phones and power banks the evening before, then keep phones in waterproof cases.
Set up coolers, snacks, coffee and tea before participants arrive rather than during registration. Allow at least one waste bin near the registration area and another where refreshments are served.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a merry-go-round boat race?: You need boats, paddles, life jackets, rescue equipment, starting and finishing markers, route maps, bib numbers and timing equipment. Add radios or phones, a megaphone, registration furniture and refreshment supplies for the event team and participants.
How many life jackets do I need for a boat race?: Provide one suitable life jacket for every person on the water, including volunteers or officials who board a boat. Keep at least one spare per boat or enough spares to cover the largest team, and check sizes before race day.
What should I buy for boat race registration?: Set up a registration desk with bib numbers, a waterproof writing board, pens and the participant information. Prepare one bib number per participant plus several spares, and have the desk ready at least 30 minutes before the announced start.
What safety items are needed for a water boat race?: At minimum, prepare life jackets, a life ring, a rescue line, spare paddles, communication equipment and a waterproof route map. Check all safety equipment and charge radios or phones no later than the evening before the race.

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