Student Boater X 2011, 17th June!
The now flagship event, the classic, the old faithful – STUDENT BOATER X is once again back for 2011! This year due to a cheeky cock-up, its been left to super late to organise! However NEVER FEAR! We’ve decided to step in, take control and sort it out! We couldnt leave you without the legendary, the one and only, THE STUDENT BOATER X 2011 now could we?!
SO! Whats it all about??!
The Boater X is all about getting together all the visiting universities of the UK to the French Alps and holding a series of races for each category of ability along with some not so usual events and some events for the old boys and gals we all know and love. With an informal nature attached rather than a serious competition – the event serves as a chance to have a laugh with your mates and get a bit of inter-uni rivalry going, along with the chance to win some mega sweet prizes for the winners. It’s a crackin’ way to spend an Alpine summers evening after a day on the water elsewhere or after a day lounging in the sun in anticipation.
When and Where?
The Student Boater X 2011 will be held on Friday 17th June, kicking off at 5pm at the slalom course on the river Durance close to the town of L’Argentiere-la-Bessee, about 20 minutes south of Briancon in the heart of the French Alps.
Events will be kicking off at 5pm, just meet at the main slalom course building. A precise schedule of the events will appear on this site in the run up to the event, and will be circulated around the campsite at the course in the days leading up to Saturday.
Prizegiving will take place shortly after the last event, where news of the party start time and venue will be dished out.
The Events
There will be a Boater X in each of the following categories for students of one of those higher education thingys
EXPERT - open to students only
A technical and taxing race down the L’Argentiere slalom course, using some of the more powerful features and the pushier breakouts and crosses. The Advanced race will begin “Le Mans” style with all competitors out of their boats – exact details to be announced closer to the time.
INTERMEDIATE – open to students only
A simpler and gentler route down the slalom course employing some of the easier break-outs. Competitors will start in their boats at the big eddy at the top of the course. Safety will be on hand at the bottom of the course, but it is important to note (as stated in the disclaimer below), competitors and their uni’s must be responsible for their own safety.
NOVICE – open to students only
A race on the campsite lake…with a difference. There will be a set of challenges to complete on the course, some technical, some hilarious.
If you are unsure of which category to go in, University Captains/trip organisers are the best people to organise who goes into which category as they will know your paddling best – if still in doubt “stick low”. The event is all about having fun with your mates in the sun rather than a serious competition! As a general rule of thumb, those taking part in events on the slalom course (intermediate and expert) should have a reliable white water roll and be comfortable in the environment and making the relevant eddies. That said, any future olympians entering the novice will be told what for!
Details or a demo (or both) of each event will be made clear before the start.
But of course, the fun doesn’t stop there. We’ve even more events on the cards for peeps to get involved in, even those strange non-studenty people!
BLOATER-X (“OLD BOYS AND GALS OPEN EVENT”) – open to non-students only
Also taking place on the slalom course, with some reasonably taxing break-outs and challenges, this is a special event for all those ex-students, friends, or guests, to get involved in. As with the expert, a classic “Le Mans” style start will be employed – AWESOME!!
INFLATEY-X (open to all)
Everyone’s favourite! The Inflatey-X is an event on the camspite lake with various challenges to complete – the catch being you can compete in anything providing it isn’t a boat!
Cost
FREE OF CHARGE – The events cost nothing to enter – BUT all competitors must sign an entry form in order to compete in events.
Entry
As stated, only students of a higher education establishment may enter the novice, intermediate and expert events. Only non-students may enter the Bloater-X and the Inflatey-X is open to all.
ALL competitors in any event must complete and sign an entry form and present it to the official/organiser at the start of the race. The form simply encorporates the details written in the “disclaimer” section below. You won’t be able to compete unless you’ve presented this form at the start.
Forms will be available in advance of Friday from “Boater-X 11 HQ” – which is located under a gazebo with the LUUCC at whichever campsite pitch we get put on!
Prizes
A whole host of prizes will be lined up for each event from our team of sponsors. This year its WINNER TAKES ALL! (with some smaller prizes for second and third)
Watch this space for news on that!
Prizegiving will take place shortly after the last event.
Events Disclaimer
Participants must be fully aware that they compete in student boater X events and associated events entirely at their own risk; and must understand the inherent risks associated with canoeing (and associate water event activities), particularly in the specific environment where the event takes place. Officially, the events are nothing more than informal competitions (i.e. a group of people paddling at the same time). Individuals and their relevant universities are responsible for their own safety both on and off the water. The organisers, officials or elected safety personnel, whilst they may provide help, are under no obligation to provide safety cover or rescue for individuals and are thus not liable for any eventuality.
Participants will be required to sign a form confirming they agree to this statement before being able to compete in any event.
And then….
(unofficial) PARTY TIME!
Questions
If you’ve any questions on any aspect of the event, please do not hesitate to contact us (Jethro and James) by e-mail: studentboaterx11@gmail.com
If you’ve any queries whilst out in the Alps, come and find us on the L’Argentiere campsite at “Boater-X HQ” – which is located under a gazebo with the LUUCC at whichever campsite pitch we get put on!
