What to Buy for a Rowing Race

This rowing race shopping list covers the equipment and practical supplies needed from setup through the final finish. Plan for boats, oars, lane markers, start and finish signage, timing equipment, and clear communication between officials and volunteers. Safety items such as life jackets and life rings should be ready before crews arrive, not fetched during the race. The list also includes seating, changing-area furniture, storage, power, and printing equipment for participant information and bib numbers.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 60
Beer tablesqty 6
Changing room benchesqty 8
Coat racksqty 4
Clothes racksqty 4
Storage cratesqty 12

Sports equipment

Rowing boatsqty 8
Oarsqty 16
Bib numbersqty 100
Lane buoysqty 40
Field linesqty 8
Start Line
Finish line
Stopwatchesqty 6
Life ringsqty 8
Life jacketsqty 12
Paddlesqty 6
Waterproof bagsqty 8
Conesqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 6
Traffic conesqty 20

Equipment

Megaphonesqty 2
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Extension cord reelsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 8
Power banksqty 6
Laptop
Printer
Timing display
Lifeboat
Outboard motor

Decorations

Start sign
Finish sign
Direction arrowsqty 12
Flagsqty 20
Buntingqty 8
Stage blocksqty 3
Notice boardsqty 3
Pillarsqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Reusable platesqty 150
Reusable cutleryqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Tea glassesqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Water jugsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 4
Storage binsqty 20
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Sponge clothsqty 20
Dish brushesqty 4
Hand broomsqty 4
Can openersqty 2

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Work lightsqty 4
Flashlightsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Assorted tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee creamer - 2 packs
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Flat mineral water - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 cans
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 3 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Bitterballen - 8 boxes
- Vegetarian bitterballen - 4 boxes
- Mini cheese soufflés - 4 boxes
- Mini spring rolls - 4 boxes
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 4 pieces
- Cervelaat - 2 kilos
- Dry-cured ham - 1 kilo
- Vegetarian slices - 1 kilo
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini rolls - 120 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Jam - 4 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 3 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Tomato soup - 12 liters
- Vegetable soup - 8 liters
- Soup sticks - 6 packs
- Pasta salad - 8 kilo
- Potato salad - 6 kilos
- Mixed salad - 6 kilo
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Chocolate bars - 60 pieces
- Sugar-free cookies - 4 packs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls

Tips

Check boats, oars, lane buoys, field lines, and start and finish markers at least 24 hours before the race. Missing or damaged course equipment is difficult to replace once crews are arriving.
Provide one life jacket and suitable rescue equipment for every person who must enter a rescue boat, and keep life rings immediately accessible at the course. Confirm quantities against the rescue plan before race day.
Allow at least one stopwatch or timing device for each timing position, plus a backup power bank. Test the timing display, laptop, printer, and communication equipment before the first start.
Bring waterproof bags for phones, documents, and spare batteries. Ordinary paper participant lists and bib numbers can become unusable after a short period of rain or spray.
Set up party tents, tables, chairs, benches, coat racks, and clothes racks before registration opens. Add storage crates so equipment, printed lists, and personal belongings do not end up on the ground.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a rowing race?: Plan for rowing boats, oars, lane buoys, field lines, start and finish markers, stopwatches, and a timing display. You will also need communication equipment, printed bib numbers, and safety gear such as life jackets and life rings.
How many life jackets do I need for a rowing race?: Have one correctly sized life jacket for every person who may be on a rescue boat or otherwise working on the water. Add spare jackets for at least 10% of that number so a damaged or unsuitable jacket does not delay the rescue team.
When should I buy rowing race supplies?: Buy or reserve course, safety, timing, and communication equipment at least 2 weeks before race day. Check the full shopping list and test borrowed or rented equipment again 24 hours before setup.
What should I bring for rowing race registration?: Bring printed participant lists, bib numbers, a laptop, printer, power banks, extension cords, and waterproof bags. Pack the registration materials at least 1 day in advance and bring spare paper and printer supplies.

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