Na Pali Race 2018 Safety and Hydration

Conditions look to be lining up for a good run this Sunday.

Here are a few things to keep in mind for safety.

It is every important that everyone have safe, solid and reliable equipment. So prep your craft tomorrow and make sure everything is solid.

The most important thing is a leash. Your craft must have a LEASH! This is an event liability but more importantly a major safety concern and could be a lifesaver. So please be prepared and have a leash attached to your craft during check in.

Once underway in strong windy conditions the field gets very spread out.

All participants, especially those starting at Anini please shoot from point to point because its too dangerous to take the outside line way out at sea. Our escort boats can’t cover all that ground. Furthermore there has never been a proven benefit of taking the outside line as those who take a mid line or inside line always have similar times.

The recommended line is about 200 feet to 2,000 feet from the coast. Far enough away from the cliff to avoid refractions but close enough to shore to be able to make it in during the event or an emergency and also to be in a more trafficked area for visibility.

If you are ever separated from your craft swim directly to shore. Do not start to swim the course towards the finish or start line. Get in to shore. If there are cliffs when you get to shore then swim parallel as there are lots of places to get onto shore safely along the coast. Plus there a more chances of people seeing you if you are in need.

IF YOU ARE OUT OF THE RACE FOR ANY REASON PLEASE REPORT TO OUR RACE STAFF AND SAFETY CREW WITH YOUR RACE NUMBER ASAP. WE ARE ON VHF CHANNEL 9 AND 16. WE NEED EVERYONE TO CHECK OUT OF THE RACE AT THE FINISH LINE SO WE ARE NOT SEARCHING FOR ANYONE AT THE END OF THE DAY.

 Have a partner system and look out for other paddlers.

Hydration is important. Our escort boats are there to be spotters. Under emergency they are there to help but the course is for each participant to complete unassisted if possible.

Steve Cole will have a limited amount of Kole Gear hydration packs set up at the start of the race. Please see him and Kole Gear for a pack. First come, first served.

Thanks to Tamba Surf Company there will be more refreshments at the Polhale finish line.

SAFETY FIRST.

Best of Luck.