Register Here: Registration is not open for 2014. The dates are looking like 16 May 2014 for briefing and 17-18 May 2014 for the 3rd VCK Race.
This Race is OPEN to ALL! You can compete hard if you want or just come in before the check point cut off times! This race is for the paddlers! Have fun and enjoy!
Description
Volunteer 80 Race to the Smokies is a 80 mile Canoe, Kayak, Peddle and SUP race that is raced on flat water from Knoxville to Chilhowee Dam at the base of the Smoky Mountains! Sponsored by Bending Branches
Volunteer 46 is a 46 mile Canoe, Kayak, Peddle and SUP race that is raced on flat water from Knoxville to Lenoir Park! Sponsored by Adanac paddles
Volunteer 28 is a 28 mile Canoe, Kayak, Peddle and SUP race that is raced on flat water from Knoxville to The Cove at Concord Park! Sponsored by ??. The VCK Race Donated over $200 to Chota in the 1st year that went to conservation!
Volunteer 5 is a 5 mile Canoe, Kayak, Peddle and SUP race that is raced on flat water from Knoxville to Marine Park! Sponsored by Bending Branches
General Information
These four races are open to all paddle, peddle, Stand up paddlers(SUP) and kayak sail! These four races will start on 17 May 2014 at Riverside Landing Park! Knoxville, TN
Start times for the four races are 8:00 a.m. sharp on 17 May 2014
Race classes the Volunteer Canoe and Kayak Race's are:
- Men’s solo
- Women’s solo
- Men’s Tandem
-Women’ Tandem
- Mixed Tandem
-Team
- Men’s Stand Up Paddle Board
- Women’s Stand Up Paddle Board
- Peddle
- Kayak Sail (no prize)
Volunteer Race Series Cut off times!
All Racers will start at Governor Ned McWherter / River Side Landing Park at 8:00 a.m.
The 5 mile race will end at Marine Park. The cut off time for this race will be at 11:00 a.m. 3 hours is the time limit to the Finnish line.
The 28 mile race will end at the Cove at Concord Park. The Cut off time for this race will be at 6:00 p.m. 10 hour time limit to the Finnish line.
The 47 mile race will end at Lenoir City Park. There is one check point for the 47 mile race. The check point is at the Cove at Concord Park. You must have checked in at the check point by 6:00 p.m. 17 May 2013! You have 10 hours to make the check point. You must check in at the Finnish of this race at Lenoir City Park by 12:00 a.m. on 18 May2014! 16 hour time limit.
The 80 mile race will end at Tallassee Boat launch near Chilhowee Dam. There are 3 check points for the 80 mile race! The first check point is at the Cove at Concord Park. You must have checked in at the check point by 6:00 p.m. 17 May 2014! You have 10 hours to make the check point. Your 2nd check point is Lenoir Park by 12:00 a.m. on 18 May 2014! 16 hour cut off point. The 3rd check point is at Lotterdale. You must have checked in at this point by 5:00 a.m. 18 May 2014, 21 hour cut off point. You must make the End of the race at Tallassee boat launch by 11:00 a.m. 18 May 2014! 27 hour time limit!
Race Price’s
80 mile race is $125 for solo
80 mile race two persons or more per boat is $105 each
46.6 mile race is $100 for solo
46.6 mile race two persons or more per boat is $80 each
27.1 mile race is $50 for solo
27.1 mile race for two persons or more per boat is $40 each
6 mile race is $25 with out shirt and $40 with shirt
SPACE IN THE RACE IS LIMITED.
Regular registration is now to 16 Apr 2014 in order to have the shirt orders in.
Late registration is 1 May to 12 May 2014, there will be an additional charge of $25 for late registration.
NOTE: If you want a race shirt you must register before 1 May 2014!
THERE ARE NO REFUNDS FOR THIS EVENT.
Race Maps!
Race course maps found here! http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil../tnriver/ if that didn't work search google TN River Navigation Charts. You need map No. 88, 87, 86, 83, 85, 84, 113, 114, 115, 116. If you find yourself on the Tellico River. Turn around you made a wrong turn. If this happens you need No. 118 and 117! Safety boats or markings should keep you on track! I hope this helps!
Rules
1. All racers must attend the mandatory race check-in and safety meeting on Friday, April 26, 2013 Check-in is from 3-7pm, with the Safety Meeting following from 7-8pm, at Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center, 900 Volunteer Landing Lane Knoxville, TN 37915 Note: The 6 mile racers will attend the 16 May 2014 sign in and race brief this year.
2. The VCK Race will officially start at 8:00 AM Eastern time on 17 May 2014. The starting point is Governer Ned Mcherter / River Side Park, 1623 Riverside Drive, Knoxville, TN. All boats will start together.
3. The race will officially end at exactly at 11:00 a.m. of 18 May 2014, (27 hours) or when the last boat has reached the boat launch near the Chilhowee Dam (5908 Calderwood HWY, Tallasse, TN 37878) 80 miles away, whichever comes earlier. A team’s participation in this event ends when they have reached this boat launch before 11:00 a.m. of 28 May 2014, or when they notify race headquarters that they have withdrawn. Teams still on the Tennessee or Little Tennessee River after 11:00 a.m. of 18 May 2014 are electing to continue independently of the race.
4. Each race craft must be propelled exclusively by paddle power (double or single blade) while on the water. No rowing configuration is permitted. Sail or kite is permitted this year. The sail or kite will not qualify for a prize against paddle or peddle power only unless we can find a sponsor for your division.
5. All participants agree to appear in this Event related media coverage free of charge.
6. For any “shortcut” to be legal, it must have a flow of river/lake water through it. Overland portages are not allowed. Portages over exposed “land” for convenience are not permitted. Outside assistance is not permitted.
7. Outside assistance that provides intentional aid in the forward progress of a canoe/kayak/SUP is not allowed. This includes towing, wake riding, deflection of wind and “rafting up”. However, limited interaction between the competitor race craft, as is the case in most canoe and kayak marathon races, is acceptable. This will be restricted to only wake riding and wind deflection. No towing of race craft is permitted.
8. Ground support is allowed and strongly recommended for racers but is not mandatory. A ground crew may assist with procurement of supplies, set up of tents and preparation of meals. Ground crew may not, in any way, assist with propulsion of the boat. They may only touch the boat when the boat is in contact with the shore. Physical contact with support can only occur when the boat is grounded. No contact on the water is allowed. No support provided from a support boat is allowed.
9. Infractions of any rule during the Event will be grounds for time penalties or disqualification to be reasonably and fairly determined by the Judges Committee.
10. Deliberate littering of the river is illegal. Teams must keep their trash in their canoes/kayaks/SUP and either transfer it to their support teams or go ashore themselves to properly dispose waste.
11. All team members should understand there are serious risks involved in this endeavor. The greatest risk, however, is from the numerous large and small power craft that ply the river/lakes. Constant vigilance, clear thinking, and quick reaction will be essential at all times. Good judgment must dictate when it is time to rest. All team members (racers and support personnel) will enter this race at their own risk and will not hold this event’s organizers, judges, officials, and sponsors liable for accidents to personnel or damage to any property. When or if you find yourself or fellow paddler in trouble, call 911.
12. Anyone paddling solo in this event must be at least 18 years of age on 17 May 2014 or at least 16 years of age if part of a tandem team accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. (Note that the parent or legal guardian must sign the liability waiver for the 16 or 17 year old.)
13. All participants in this Event, including paddlers and other team members must agree to the “Amateur Athletic Waiver and Release of Liability”.
14. Multiple teams may not share paddlers. Teams may share ground support.
15. Teams must make formal contact with race officials at each designated checkpoint. Formal contact is defined by boat or paddle contact with shore at the checkpoint and signing of clipboard. It is not required that you exit your boat. Checkpoints will be manned by volunteers and race staff until the checkpoint deadline passes. If you are not going to make a checkpoint by the proscribed deadline, you must make contact with a race official by phone prior to that deadline. If you elect to end your race you must make it a priority to contact race officials and let them know.
16. Each racer must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver at all times while on the water. A whistle and an emergency chemical night light must also be attached to each life preserver at all times. A PFD must be worn at all times while on the water. This is per the United States Coast Guard as part of our race permit.
17. Boating at night is dangerous and the organizers of this event do not require teams to do this. The decision to paddle at night is made solely by each team. The following guidelines are provided to minimize the risk of serious injury. Full navigation lights are required for night travel. This is proscribed by Tennessee’s State boating law.
www.boated.com/tennessee/handbook This would include red/green lights on the bow and a white stern light. Paddlers should also have an LED or chemical light affixed to PFD in case of emergency. A white light (flashlight) for signaling should also be aboard.
18. Boating in the foggy conditions is dangerous and is neither required nor recommended. Assistance from race officials may take hours, especially in adverse conditions, and all racers need to be prepared to self-rescue and hike out if needed. Craft Requirements
19. There are no restrictions on the design of the canoe/kayak/SUP.
20. The original craft must be paddled from start to finish. Repairs may be made to the craft during the race, but other alterations are not permitted.
21. Any part of the craft (rudders, outriggers, etc.) which will be below the water line during any portion of the race must be “on board” from start to finish. A space must be available on each side of the canoe/kayak close to the bow on which to affix the official race number. Each team may choose their own 4 digit number upon entry on a first come, first served basis. Race numbers are to be affixed by the racers themselves, prior to the start of the race.
22. In formulating the rules that govern this event, every effort has been made to foresee all situations and problems that may rise, however, officials of the Volunteer Canoe & Kayak Race retain the right to change or amend these rules at any time without liability or recourse from any party regardless of the circumstances. Should such changes or amendments be made, every effort will be made to notify all entrants. There are no refunds.
