What you need for a rowing race

A rowing race needs more than boats and paddles. You need clearly marked start and finish points, safety equipment on and beside the water, reliable timing, and a workable setup for registration, officials and spectators. Use this list to arrange the physical supplies before race day, then check quantities against your course length and number of crews. Items such as radios, power banks, lane buoys and life jackets are easy to overlook until setup has already started.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 40
Judges' table
Registration deskqty 2
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Megaphoneqty 2
Sound system
Speakersqty 2
Microphoneqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Stopwatchqty 6
Tabletqty 2
Power banksqty 4

Sports equipment

Rowing boatsqty 8
Beltsqty 16
Start dock
Finish buoyqty 2
Lane buoysqty 20
Mooring linesqty 10
Life ringsqty 4
Life jacketsqty 12
Paddlesqty 4
Starting blocksqty 8
Competition flagsqty 8
Finish line
Crowd control barriersqty 20
Traffic conesqty 20
Bib holdersqty 40
Bib numbersqty 40
Jury signsqty 8
Clipboardsqty 8
Medalsqty 24
Trophy
Certificatesqty 40
Rescue lineqty 2
Waterproof bagsqty 6
Rowboat trailersqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Pliersqty 4
Glovesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Sandwiches - 120 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Butter - 4 packs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 80 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Vegan cheese - 500 grams
- Vegan spread - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 4 boxes
- Bandages - 6 rolls
- Disposable gloves - 4 boxes
- Ice packs - 20 pieces
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces
- Waterproof markers - 12 pieces
- Tape - 8 rolls
- Rope - 4 rolls
- Cable ties - 200 pieces
- Paper wristbands - 250 pieces

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 12
Bannersqty 6
Directional signsqty 12
Name badgesqty 30

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Work lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 3
Dustpansqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 4
Pressure washer
Storage cratesqty 12
Hand broomsqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Blanketsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 6
Safety helmetsqty 8
Work glovesqty 12

Documentation

Competition rulesqty 20
Competition foldersqty 12
Route mapsqty 20
Result formsqty 40
Pensqty 40
Clipboardsqty 12
Printer
Printer paperqty 2
Waterproof document sleevesqty 40

Tips

Plan at least one working walkie-talkie for each key position, such as the start, finish, safety boat and event coordinator. Charge every unit the evening before and keep spare power banks at the control point.
Allow one life jacket for every person who may enter a boat or safety position, plus several life rings along the course. Check sizes and inspect straps before loading the equipment.
Use enough lane buoys, mooring lines and competition flags to make the course visible from the start through the finish. Prepare a separate bundle for each marked section so volunteers can deploy it quickly.
Set up separate registration and jury tables, with chairs, a tablet, extension cords and power strips ready before participants arrive. Bring at least two spare charging options for timing and registration devices.
Bring weather cover for registration, officials and waiting participants rather than only for spectators. Put waste bins near the tent, dock and finish area, and add barriers or traffic cones wherever pedestrians could enter the course.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a rowing race?: You need rowing boats, paddles, start blocks, a start dock, a finish line, finish and lane buoys, mooring lines, competition flags and participant belts or numbers. Add timing equipment, communication gear, safety equipment and event furniture for registration and officials.
How many life jackets are needed for a rowing race?: Provide one correctly sized life jacket for every person who may be on a boat or involved in water safety. Add a small reserve, such as 10% more than the expected number, so a damaged or poor-fitting jacket does not delay the start.
What timing equipment should I bring to a rowing race?: Bring at least two stopwatches, a tablet for recording results, charged power banks and a clear backup method for handwritten times. Test the tablet, stopwatch and charging equipment at least 24 hours before the race.
What should I arrange for the rowing race start and finish areas?: Prepare a start dock, start blocks, start and finish markers, lane buoys, finish buoys, competition flags and mooring lines. Set these out in labelled groups and check the full course at least 2 hours before the first race.

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