What you need for a rowing race

A rowing race needs more than boats and paddles. This shopping list covers the equipment for marking lanes and start and finish areas, safety on the water, registration, timing and communication. It also includes practical items for a temporary event base, such as tables, tents, power supplies and sound equipment. Check quantities against your number of crews, course layout and volunteer team before ordering, because missing safety or timing equipment is difficult to replace on race day.

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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
Registration desk
Bar stoolsqty 4

Sports equipment

Rowing boatsqty 8
Beltsqty 20
Spare strapsqty 4
Bib numbersqty 40
Lane buoysqty 40
Start flagsqty 2
Finish flagsqty 2
Barrier tapeqty 6
Conesqty 20
Rope rollsqty 6
Life ringsqty 4
Life jacketsqty 12
Water shoesqty 4
Paddlesqty 4

Equipment

Lifeboat
Outdoor speakerqty 2
Microphoneqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Stopwatchqty 4
Laptop
Printer
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Charging stationsqty 2

Lighting

LED construction lightsqty 6
String lightsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Pouring jugsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Ice containersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Small bowlsqty 12
Corkscrewsqty 2
Bottle openersqty 4

Decorations

Finish arch
Competition flagsqty 12
Directional signsqty 8
Name badgesqty 80
Medalsqty 30
Cupsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Vacuum cleaner
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 8
First aid kitqty 2
Fire extinguisherqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Coffee milk - 6 packs
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Pilsner - 8 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Sausage rolls - 100 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White dots - 80 pieces
- Croissants - 60 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Semi-aged cheese - 4 kilos
- Boiled ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 10 tubs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Snack nuts - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Oranges - 6 kilos
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 4 boxes
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 4 boxes
- Sports tape - 8 rolls
- Cold packs - 8 units

Tips

Plan at least one life jacket and one pair of water shoes for every person who may enter the water, including rescue and support staff. Keep life rings available at the start, finish and other access points.
Match lane buoys, start flags, finish flags, cones, barrier tape and rope rolls to the full course length. Buy spare marking materials as well as the exact number needed, since buoys and tape are easily damaged or moved.
Prepare one registration setup with a desk, laptop, printer and printed bib numbers. Bring extra paper, ink and extension cords so late changes or replacement numbers can be handled without delaying the start.
Allow enough communication equipment for the race director, start team, finish team, rescue team and key volunteers. Test the walkie-talkies, microphone, mixer, speaker, power strips and extension cords together before crews arrive.
Set up the event base with enough tables and chairs for registration, officials and catering, and add party tents if people need shelter. Order prizes and medals early enough that engraving, delivery or corrections can be completed before race day.

Frequently asked questions

What safety equipment do I need for a rowing race?: Prepare life jackets, life rings, a lifeboat, spare straps, belts, cones, barrier tape and rope rolls. Keep at least one ready rescue craft and enough flotation equipment for the rescue team and anyone entering the water.
How many rowing boats and paddles do I need?: You need one suitable rowing boat and paddle set for each crew racing at the same time, plus any boats reserved for support or rescue. Add spare straps and other repair items before the final equipment check, ideally at least 48 hours before the race.
What do I need for rowing race registration?: Use a registration desk, laptop, printer, participant list and bib numbers, with tables and chairs for the registration team. Print the final list and prepare replacement numbers no later than the day before the event.
When should I buy equipment for a rowing race?: Order boats, safety equipment, course markers, tents, furniture and audio equipment several weeks before the race, especially if they must be hired or delivered. Recheck the complete inventory 48 hours before the start and test electrical and communication equipment the day before.

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