What you need for a rafting competition

A rafting competition needs more than rafts and paddles. You also need enough safety equipment for every participant, clearly marked sections of the course, reliable communication and a dry way to store phones and documents. Buy or reserve key items before registration closes, because helmets, life jackets, wetsuits and safety staff are difficult to arrange at short notice. Use the final participant count to confirm sizes, spare gear and refreshments before shopping.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Beer tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 24
Registration deskqty 2
Waste binsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 4

Sports equipment

Raftsqty 8
Paddlesqty 48
Helmetsqty 60
Life jacketsqty 60
Wetsuitsqty 60
Water shoesqty 60
Spare paddlesqty 10
Competition buoysqty 12
Rescue linesqty 8
Throw linesqty 6
Waterproof barrelsqty 8
Whistlesqty 12
Stopwatchesqty 8
Walkie-talkiesqty 10
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Spare helmetsqty 8
Spare vestsqty 8
Waterproof phone casesqty 12
Conesqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 8
Bib numbersqty 100
Safety vestsqty 20
First aid kitsqty 3
AED
Thermal blanketsqty 20

Equipment

Sound system
Microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Mobile phone chargersqty 6
Coolersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Serving plattersqty 12
Soup ladlesqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 6
Serving tongsqty 8
Water jugsqty 10
Insulated food containersqty 8
Cutting board matsqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Competition bannersqty 4
Stage backdrop
Prizesqty 12

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 8
Work lightsqty 6

Cleaning

Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Dish brushesqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 60 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Sports drink - 80 bottles
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Rolls - 150 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Boiled ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Jam - 4 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Potato salad - 10 kilos
- Pasta salad - 10 kilos
- Vegetarian wraps - 80 pieces
- Chicken wraps - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 40 pieces
- Hamburgers - 80 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Fries - 20 kilos
- Satay sauce - 4 liters
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Herb mix - 4 jars
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 4 boxes
- Disposable gloves - 4 boxes

Tips

Plan one helmet, life jacket, wetsuit and pair of water shoes per participant, then add at least 10% spare helmets and vests for damage, fit problems or late replacements.
Keep at least two spare paddles available for each active raft group. Label paddles and waterproof barrels before the event so teams do not lose time at the start area.
Prepare one whistle and one waterproof phone case for each safety lead or course marshal. Test every walkie-talkie and phone case before the first team enters the water.
Place rescue lines and throw lines at every rescue point, not only at the finish. Pack emergency blankets and first aid kits in clearly marked, dry containers that volunteers can reach quickly.
Buy bib numbers, cones and barrier tape before publishing team assignments. Set aside extra bibs and permanent markers for last-minute changes, damaged numbers or participants who switch teams.

Frequently asked questions

How many life jackets and helmets do I need for a rafting competition?: Plan one life jacket and one helmet per participant, plus at least 10% spare vests and helmets. Round up to the next whole item, so a group of 40 participants needs 44 of each.
How many spare paddles should I buy for a rafting race?: Keep at least two spare paddles for every active raft group. For six raft groups, prepare 12 spare paddles and store them where the start and rescue teams can reach them quickly.
When should I buy rafting competition equipment?: Order specialist equipment at least 3 to 4 weeks before the competition. Confirm sizes and quantities after registration closes, then check all gear and test rescue equipment no later than the day before.
What safety equipment is needed for a rafting competition?: Prepare life jackets, helmets, rescue lines, throw lines, whistles, walkie-talkies, first aid kits and an AED. Also provide emergency blankets and enough spare vests and helmets for at least 10% of participants.

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