What to Buy for a Rowing Race

A rowing race needs more than boats and crews. You need clearly marked start and finish points, rescue equipment, working communications, timing gear and a reliable power setup for the officials and announcer. This shopping list covers the practical items to buy, hire or bring, from life jackets and throw lines to tents, tables, radios and spare batteries. Check quantities against the number of crews, officials and volunteers before placing orders.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 80
Judges' table
Bar stoolsqty 4
Bollardsqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 6

Sports equipment

Competition buoysqty 24
Mooring linesqty 8
Start flagsqty 3
Finish flagsqty 2
Bib numbersqty 80
Life jacketsqty 20
Throw linesqty 6
Paddlesqty 8
Rescue boatsqty 2
Spare strapsqty 12
Boat supportsqty 10
Rowboat cartsqty 8
Prizesqty 24
Medalsqty 24
Reusable cupsqty 6

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Tabletsqty 4
Stopwatchesqty 8
Walkie-talkiesqty 10
Megaphone
Sound system
Microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 6
Cable reelsqty 3
Flashlightsqty 6
Notice boardsqty 3
Whiteboardsqty 2

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Water jugsqty 12

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Serving traysqty 8
Soup potsqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Broom setsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 3

Decorations

Competition postersqty 20
Direction signsqty 12
Stage backdrop

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 200 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 18 crates
- Spa Red - 6 crates
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 6 crates
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 4 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 3 kilograms
- Smoked chicken - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Egg salad - 1,5 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Bananas - 8 kilograms
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Granola - 3 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Vegetable soup - 15 liters
- Soup sticks - 10 packs
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Herb butter - 20 tubs
- Vegetarian wraps - 60 pieces
- Chicken wrap filling - 5 kilograms
- Wrap vegetables - 5 kilograms
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Yogurt dressing - 3 liters
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Ice cubes - 25 kilogram
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs

Tips

Plan one working communication device for each key operational point, such as the start, finish, rescue team and event control. Add spare power banks so a flat battery does not interrupt race communications.
Keep safety equipment with the rescue crew rather than at registration. Check that every life jacket fits its intended user and have throw lines ready before crews arrive.
Buy or hire spare race-day hardware, including backup stopwatches, spare oars and extra mooring lines. A single damaged item can otherwise delay a start or leave a boat unable to continue.
Protect the jury and timing setup from weather with a dedicated table, tent, extension cords and power strips. Test the laptop, tablets, microphones and sound system together at least one day before the race.
Prepare course-marking equipment in one labelled kit: competition buoys, lines, start flags and finish flags. Count every item after setup so missing equipment is found before the first crew launches.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a rowing race?: You need course markers, mooring lines, start and finish flags, bib numbers, timing devices, communications equipment and safety gear. Include rescue boats, life jackets, throw lines and spare oars, plus tents, tables and seating for officials and volunteers.
How many life jackets are needed for a rowing race?: Provide one correctly sized life jacket for every person expected to use a rescue boat or other safety craft, plus at least two spare jackets. Confirm the final number with the safety plan before ordering.
How many walkie-talkies do I need for a rowing event?: Allow one walkie-talkie for each essential post, usually the start, finish, event control and each rescue boat. Add at least two spare units and charge all devices the evening before the race.
When should I buy supplies for a rowing race?: Order hired or specialist equipment at least 4 to 6 weeks before race day, especially rescue boats, tents and course buoys. Buy consumable and backup items 1 to 2 weeks beforehand, then check the complete inventory the day before.

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