What to buy for a rowing race

A rowing race needs more than racing boats and oars. You also need clearly marked bibs, course buoys and lines, safety equipment for the water, timing tools, and practical supplies for officials and participants. Check quantities against the number of crews, lanes and helpers before shopping. Arrange specialist equipment and safety support early, then leave time to test radios, microphones, chargers and the printer before race day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Folding tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 80
Bar stoolsqty 6
Waste binsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 4

Sports equipment

Racing rowing boatsqty 8
Training rowing boatsqty 2
Oarsqty 24
Bib numbersqty 120
Bib holdersqty 120
Competition buoysqty 20
Course Linesqty 500
Life ringsqty 4
Throw linesqty 4
Life jacketsqty 12
Waterproof phone casesqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 6
Megaphonesqty 2
Paddlesqty 4
Mooring linesqty 20

Equipment

Sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Battery chargersqty 4
Laptopqty 2
Printer
Socket coversqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 100
Platesqty 180
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving jugsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Food warmersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Bottle openersqty 4
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Ice packsqty 30

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 12
Buntingqty 10
Start and finish signsqty 2
Route signsqty 12
Directional signsqty 8
Stage blocksqty 3
Tableclothsqty 10

Lighting

LED lampsqty 12
Work lightsqty 4
Light cablesqty 4

Cleaning

Trash bag holdersqty 8
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 10
First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blue - 12 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 8 crates
- Pilsner - 12 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Coffee beans - 4 kilos
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Sandwiches - 240 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Rolls - 120 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 4 kilos
- Sliced chicken breast - 4 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 10 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Apples - 15 kilo
- Bananas - 10 kilo
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Muesli bars - 250 pieces
- Currant buns - 120 pieces
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Salted peanuts - 6 bags
- Salted sticks - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Pasta salad - 12 kilos
- Potato salad - 10 kilos
- Mixed salad - 10 kilos
- Chicken skewers - 180 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 80 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 180 pieces
- Hamburgers - 180 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 60 pieces
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Fry sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 250 grams
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Trash bags - 120 pieces
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes
- Storage containers - 30 pieces
- Disposable Kitchen Napkins - 200 pieces
- Tray paper - 4 packs
- Fridge Labels - 2 packs
- Drinking straws - 250 pcs
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Gas cylinders - 2 pieces

Tips

Allow one bib number and one bib holder for every competitor, plus at least 10% spares for replacements or late changes. Print the run sheet and participant information before arrival.
Plan one life jacket for each person assigned to a boat or safety role, and keep life rings and throw lines accessible at the course and launch areas. Check every item before crews go on the water.
Count course buoys and course lines from the final course layout, not from an earlier draft. Keep spare mooring lines and paddles available because setup and retrieval often need more hands than expected.
Use at least two stopwatches for official timing and bring charged battery packs or chargers for the laptop, printer, microphones and other powered equipment. Test the sound system and wireless microphones before the first crew starts.
Buy or bring waste bins, tables, chairs and shelter for the number of officials and participants expected. Add waterproof phone cases for people working near the water, where phones and registration details are easily damaged.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a rowing race?: Plan for racing and training boats, oars, bib numbers, course buoys, course lines and mooring lines. You will also need safety gear such as life jackets, life rings and throw lines, plus stopwatches, a megaphone and communication equipment.
How many life jackets do I need for a rowing race?: Provide one correctly sized life jacket for every person who may be on a boat or working in a water-safety role. Count competitors, coxswains, safety-boat crews and helpers separately, then add at least 10% spare jackets if sizes allow.
How many bib numbers should I buy for a rowing race?: Prepare one bib number and one bib holder per competitor, not just per boat, because numbers identify individual participants. Add 10% spare numbers and holders to cover damage, replacements and registration changes.
When should I buy rowing race supplies?: Order specialist items such as boats, buoys, safety equipment and sound equipment at least 4 weeks before the race. Complete the main shopping 3 to 5 days beforehand, then check the list, weather forecast, batteries and printed materials the day before.

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