Friday May 27, 2005

34^th Annual

Connecticut River

= Raft Race

= July 26^th, 2008 @ 10:00 a.m.

=

Mailing   List

=

This Information Will Be Updated We= ekly Until Our Raft Race Booklet Is Ready For Distribution. To Get On Our Mailing List Contact:= crazydave757@hotmail.com And P= rovide Your Mailing Address And We Will Send You One When They Are Ready.

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Pre - Registration&n= bsp;

Participants may pre-register for the 34^th Annual Connecticut River Raft Race by submitting a notarized entry form; hold harmless agreement signed by all cr= ew members, and submit all registration fees prior to the Captains meeting on July 12^th, 2008= . The entry fee is $16 pe= r crew member, with a minimum crew of 3 people per raft. Canoes & kayaks may e= nter with a minimum crew size of one. Entry forms are provided in this booklet a= nd are also available from our website at www.ctriverraftrace.org. All materials should be mailed to our Treasurer Richard Bartkus, 37 Cronin Drive, Waterbury, CT 06708. He can be contacted at 203-757-706= 3 if you have questions.

Captains’ Meeting

July 12th, 2008 @= 10:00 A.M.=

A Captains̵= 7; meeting will be held at Riverside Marina, 37 Riverview Street, Portla= nd, CT. Directions to the marina can be fou= nd on their website at www.po= rtlandriversidemarina.com. This day marks the registration deadline for the event. Due to insurance regulations all race entries must be received by this date. No late entries will be accepted after this point in time.

Attendance is mandatory for all raft C= aptains, canoeists, or kayakers who have not pre-registered. Crew members are also encouraged to attend but their presence is optional. All participants at th= is meeting must submit a notarized entry form, hold harmless agreement signed = by all crew members, and submit their registration fees on this day. A Notary Public will be at the meeting to certify signatures on entry forms and requ= ires two forms of identification. Your form could also be notarized at any bank = or town hall prior to the meeting.

The Captains’ meeting is used= to present the specific details of the event and is very useful especially to new participants. The items to be covered will include but are not limited to:<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> safety requirements & equipmen= t, race rules, raft inspection, launching procedures, parking arrangements, to= wing to the mooring areas, the starting location & cannon, racecourse descri= ption, finish line location, navigation, support boats, anticipated race duration, competition classes, awards, amenities at the finish area, day’s end,= and any last minute developments and/or instructions. The race committee will a= lso clarify any concerns and respond to comments from the audience.
The race commit= tee will also hand out additional rafting information and materials as necessary. Ev= ent T-shirts, beverage Koozies, and other items will also be on sale. Pets are not allowed to ensure the safety of all partici= pants, guests, spectators, and marina patrons at the Captains’ meeting or the Raft Race.

Social = Hour

Once all partic= ipants are registered and event information has been presented; everyone is invite= d to stick around for a social hour. Many participants bring rafting memorabilia= and make it available for people to browse through. These items include photo a= lbums, news articles, magazine stories, and all sorts of other stuff. Feel free to= bring along cold beverages and some snacks. There will also be light refreshments & music provided by Otto.

Seasoned rafters will be exchanging stories about preevious races, discussing raft improvements & ideas, and declaring how much fun or misery they endured= at last year’s event. Feel free to listen in on the discussions, introdu= ce yourself, and say hello. New participants will be able to learn a great deal from these veteran racers. This is also a great time to explore the marina grounds, inspect the launching areas, and visit the shoreline beach area ad= jacent to the finish line.

A work detail w= ill be formed after the meeting to provide some manpower to clean the finish area.= The spring floods wash ashore a variety of debris that needs to be cleared out = to make the shoreline safe and secure. This labor is offered to the Portland Riverside Marine for so graciously allowing the event to finish on their grounds.

34th Raft   Race   Registration   Form

Captain’s Name______= ____________________________________

E-Mail ___________________= ______________________________

Mailing Address___________= _______________________________

Town __________________Cit= y ________________Zip _________

Phone ____________________= Work/Cell_____________________

Years in Race: 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26   27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34             &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           (Please Circle year)        =

Raft Name: _______________= ______________________________

Size: ____________________= _Number of Crew: _______________

Main Flotation: __________________________________________

Method of Propulsion: ____________________________________

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Please check box R to indicate your racing category.<= o:p>

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&poun= d; A - <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">America<= /st1:place> Raft

&poun= d; C - C= ruising Raft

&poun= d; S - S= weeper Raft

&poun= d; SK –= ; Single Kayak

&poun= d; MK - = Multiple Kayak

&poun= d; SC - = Single Canoe

&poun= d; MC - = Multiple Canoe

Competition Number: ______= ______ -- _____________________

   &nb= sp;                &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   Class Letters     &= nbsp; Number of Your Choosing

Entry Fee Paid: __________________________________________

&= nbsp;          ($16.00 per crew member)

By signing this registration for= m, I hereby acknowledge the risks associated with this event. I agree to accept = full responsibility for the safety and welfare of my crew, and to hold harmless = the Connecticut River Raft Race, Inc. Organization, its Officers, Directors, and Portland Marina jointly or individually for any and all injuries and/or property damage which may arise out of the operation and/or participation o= f my entry in the Connecticut River Raft Race.

This   Form   Must   Be   Notarized<= /p>
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ENTR= Y FEES MUST BE INCLUDED AND ALL CREW

MUST= SIGN RELEASE & HOLD HARMLESS FORM

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Date __________________________________________________=

NAME: _____________________ NOTARY: _________________

NOTE:&= nbsp; This form can be notarized at any local bank

Release & Hold Harmless Agreement

Each Captain and their crew members must sign this release and hold harmless agreement. All Captains are individually responsible for the actions and welfare of their crew & their watercraft.

The undersigned, parti= cipating in the 34^th Annual Connecticut River raft Race fully recognizes = and assumes all risks and hazards involved in such an activity. I accept the responsibility of one designated driver for every three crew members. I agr= ee to incur all responsibility for claims and personal injury and/or property damages to myself or fellow raft racers or spectators that might result fro= m my negligence. I waive all rights and claims against Connecticut River Raft Race, Inc. Organization, its Officers, Directors, and Portland Marina jointly or individually. Is subject to revocation of the registration and forfeiture of the entry fee if, in the opinion of the Raft Race Committee, there is misconduct, misuse, or nuisance on the undersigned= 's (one or all) behalf. I relinquish all promotional rights before, during, and after the Race event. Participates as a contestant in an organized raft race and is thereby eligible for prizes or awards associated with the event.

Print Captain= ’s Name___________________________________

Captain’= ;s Signature____________________________________

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Crewmember= s                =              (check box = R as applicable)

Print Name___________________________________________

Signature____= ________________________ Designated Driver

Print Name___________________________________________

Signature____= ________________________ Designated Driver

Print Name___________________________________________

Signature____= ________________________ Designated Driver

Print Name___= ________________________________________

Signature____= ________________________ Designated Driver

Print Name___________________________________________

Signature____= ________________________ Designated Driver

Print Name___________________________________________

Signature____= ________________________ Designated Driver

Print Name___________________________________________

Signature____= ________________________ Designated Driver

(Attach sep= arate sheet for additional crew names)

Race   Rules   &   Safety   Advice

The Raft Race Committee promotes= a safe, family-oriented event. We encourage all participants to act in a responsible sportsman-like manner, obey all safety requirements and raft ra= ce rules, assist their fellow rafters when necessary, and above all, enjoy the event. It is because of our exceptional safety record that we are able to h= old a raft race each year. Rememb= er, safety comes first! Watch out for fellow rafters, lend assistance when need= ed, and have fun.

1.      = Animals are not allowed at Captains̵= 7; Meeting or Raft Race. Seeing-eye dogs are permitted but clean-up materials are required.
2.       Racecourse starts from the South end of Gildersleeve Island to the West<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> end of Riverside Marina.

3.       Anticipated race duration is from approx. 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

4.       All entries will be required to accept a tow if found to be floundering mid-race and/or have not finished by 2:00 p.m.

5.       All rafts must be of homemade construction.

6.       All raft entries have= a minimum crew size of 3.

7.       No commercially manufactured hulls allowed on any raft.

8.       Inner tubes or inflat= able devices are not allowed.

9.       Minimum raft size is = 4' x 8' and must be able to support the weight of the crew. Raft size to be meas= ured at the waterline.

10.   A raft’s deck m= ust be securely fastened to a frame and the frame securely fastened to the hulls and or flotation devices.

11.   The use of nails below the water line is prohibited.

12.   Rafts that have open hulls with no bulkheads shall have Styrofoam flotation fastened to the underside of the raft deck.

13.   Aftermarket marine rigging such as cleats & rope are acceptable.

14.   All sheet metal raw edges to be turned over and taped.

15.   Any protruding long b= olts to be sawed off, filed, and taped.

16.   All rafts should be inspected prior to launching and may be subject to modification at the discretion of the Committee.

17.   Contact a raft race committee member if you are planning to put your raft in the water earlier = than Saturday, July 26^th.

18.   Kayaks and canoes hav= e no construction restrictions and do not need to be inspected prior to launchin= g.

19.   Single entries in the kayak & canoe classes should use the buddy system during the race and/or team up with other entries.

20.   All entries must be solely human powered and self-propelled and make use of poles, oars, paddle= s, paddlewheels, sails, propellers, flippers, etc. or any combination thereof.=

21.   Sweeper rafts can be power-driven but cannot pass a human powered entry unless performing offici= al duties or providing emergency assistance to a vessel in need of help.<= /o:p>

22.   Sweepers must be state registered & meet Coast Guard requirements.

23.   All minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

24.   All rafts must be equipped with a suitable anchor and line that is secured to the raft and an= chor at all times.

25.   Each entry must be equipped with a suitable towline.

26.   Each participant must have a Coast Guard approved life jacket in their possession that should be = worn at all times.

27.   Captains will inform their crew of the whereabouts of stored (Coast Guard approved) life jackets aboard their raft AND will also conduct “abandon ship” drills w= ith the crews donning life jackets before heading out.

28.   All crew members shall wear sneakers or other appropriate footwear to prevent injuries from submer= ged sharp objects.

29.   Sun-sensitive participants should wear appropriate sunscreen.

30.   Participants should wear an appropriate hat with a large enough visor to help reduce exposure to the hot sun.

31.   All entries must display their class designation and competition number in plain sight and must be clearly visible to the finish line officials

32.   All Captains and their crew must remain aboard their registered vessel for the entire duration of = the Race.

33.   All entries must run entire course under their own power to be eligible for awards.

34.   No Glass Containers are allowed at anyy time!

35.   Each entry must have = an adequate supply of drinking water onboard for the entire crew so as to prev= ent dehydration during the race.

36.   All race entries shou= ld be outfitted with a first aid kit.

37.   All race entries must= have garbage bags for their own trash.

38.   No mechanical devices or tubing shall be used to propel water balloons, spaghetti, snowballs, or any other dangerous objects.

39.   Anyone exhibiting uns= afe behavior will be disqualified and could be permanently banned from the even= t.

40. No diving off any vessel or jumping into the water at any time= ! Sections of the raceco= urse can be very shallow in spots and may include submerged sharp objects.

41.   All entries must have= a designated driver for their crew members whenever present at Raft Race functions.

42.   All vessels must be removed from the river at the end of the day unless other arrangements have been made with the Marina.

43.   Derelict vessels are subject to police action and/or fines from the D.E.P. and risk permanent disqualification from the event.

Event   Safety

The racecourse = may be monitored & medical support provided by representatives from one or mor= e of the following groups depending on availability: The United States Coast Gua= rd, Connecticut’s Department of Environmental Protection Marine Patrol, Middletown and/o= r Portland local Pol= ice & Fire Departments. Assistance will also be available from one or more = of the following groups depending on availability: The = Connecticut River Raft Race Committee = and its Officers, Volunteers, and agents; Riverside Marina personnel, District 1 representatives from The United States Power Squadron, and all Sweeper Class rafts entered in the race.

Participants must obey all safety requirements &= ; raft race rules. If there is an emergency and/or you see someone in troub= le it is your obligation to make sure you or someone else gets to any raft and/or participants as soon as possible. Lend a hand until a Sweeper Class raft arrives. Elapsed race times will be adjusted for those providing emergency assistance to fellow competitors. If your vessel is taking on water and is = in danger of sinking, immediately head towards the nearest shore and beach your craft. All rafts are required to accept a tow by a Sweeper Class raft if fo= und floundering mid-race or if they have not finished the course by 2:00 p.m. Safety is the for= emost concern throughout the day so please act wisely and provide help if needed. Anyone acting without regard for the safety of others, or themselves, will = be disqualified and risk permanent disqualification from the event.

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Registration &n= bsp; Number   Format

Each class has a letter prefix assigned to it. This represents the first letter = or letters of the class name. This is assigned based on what category you̵= 7;re entered in. This is followed by a one, two, or three-digit number of your choice. Your registration number must be at least 3 inches high, in contras= ting colors to the background, and be in block form. It must be painted on or attached to both sides of the vessel so it’s visible and legible from= at least 100 feet away. The registration number must read from left to right on both sides of the vessel. Examples of correct registration numbers: A 57, C 756, S 68, SK 158, MK 123, SC 007, MC 999.

Competition &nb= sp; Classes

A -- America=    Class   Rafts

These are the most competitive and fastest rafts, some of which are capable of running the rac= ecourse in approx ½ an hour.

C -- Cruising &n= bsp; Class   Rafts=

These are the semi-competitive rafts, which make up the majority of entries. These rafts typically run the race course in a few hours.

S -- Sweeper   Clas= s   Rafts

These are power-driven rafts that cannot pass human powered entries unless they are performing official dutie= s or providing emergency assistance to a vessel in n= eed of help.

&= nbsp;           &nbs= p;                   SK -- Single   Kayak

These are kayaks paddled by only one person through the entire race course.<= /o:p>

&= nbsp;           &nbs= p;                  MK -= - Multiple &n= bsp; Kayak

These are kayaks paddled by a minimum of two people through the entire race cours= e.

&= nbsp;           &nbs= p;                   SC -- Single   Canoe

These are canoes paddled by only one person through the entire race course.<= /o:p>

       MC -- Multiple Canoe

These are canoes paddled by a minimum of two people through the entire race cours= e.

Inspection &nbs= p; of Rafts

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Rafts should be inspected prior to launching and may = be subject to modification or disqualification at the discretion of the Raft R= ace Committee. The main focus of inspection is to ensure that rafts have no obv= ious mechanical problems and the construction has been done in a safe manner. Especially important is that all <= span style=3D'letter-spacing:-.15pt'>sheet metal raw edges are to be turned over= and taped and any protruding long bolts be sawed off, filed, and taped. = Issues discovered during inspection must be corrected before the raft can be launc= hed.

If you plan to launch your raft earlier than Saturday= , July 26^th it is imperative that the raft’s Captain get in touch with a Raft Race Committee Member to schedule an inspection. This is especi= ally important if this is your first race and/or your first attempt at building a raft. The main concern here is the safety of you and your crew. A list of a= ll committee members is on the last page of the rulebook complete with phone a= nd Email contact information.

Be prepared & equipped to make changes to your ra= ft should any issues be found by the inspector. You will need to bring along s= ome hand tools, extra fasteners, rope, duct tape, etc.

Support   Boats



Participants who are launching their rafts = at the Yankee Boatyard or Riverside Marina will need a support boat to tow their r= aft upriver to the starting area. Due to the presence of a wide variety of boats tied to the marina docks & moorings extreme caution must be exercised. Floating your raft upriver by hand is out of the question due to obstructions, river currents, and the distance involved. The four mile trip upriver can take upwards of an hour or two, so plan accordingly and leave plenty of time to = get to the starting area upriver.

Participants who do not have a sup= port boat should use the alternate launch site above the starting area. = This spot is described in more detail in the next section of this booklet. A Cap= tain of a Sweeper Class raft may agree to tow another participant’s raft u= p to the start. This must be arranged at the Captain’s meeting if there is someone willing to do this for you. The odds of convincing a Sweeper Captai= n to haul you upriver are greatly increased with a generous application of high praise, good food & beverage, or valuable treasures.<= /p>
Launching   Facilities



Rafts can be launched on Saturday, July 26<= sup>tth,2008 as early as possible. The primary launch site is located between Riverside Marina & Yankee Boat Yard. This boat launch can be used by all raft race participants. People planning to use this ramp must pay a fee of $15-20 at Yankee Boatyard’s main office, which opens at 8:00 a.m. Contact them at 860-342-4735 or= go to their website at www.yankeeboaty= ard.com. The cost of launching your raft is not included in your entry fee and is yo= ur responsibility. Early arrivals are likely to avoid any traffic congestion at the launching site. If you plan to get underway earlier than 8:00 a.m. please make arrang= ements to purchase your pass during the week or pay up at the end of the day. Yankee = Boat Yard has parking across the street from the boat launch area so the parking= lot does not become too crowded with cars and boat trailers. =

It’s best to get everything ready bef= ore backing down the ramp. Complete any preparations, assembly, and equipment loading for your raft and/or support boat in the parking area. Back down the ramp only after everything is in place. There will be less congestion and waiting time for everyone involved by following this practice. It cannot be over emphasized that there will be a lot of activity on race day. Besides t= here being numerous rafts to launch, there will also be marina patrons trying to= put their own boats in as well. Be sure to arrive early and alternate between b= oat & raft launches. If you have a support boat that will accompany you, la= unch it first, then launch the raft. Use a towline to quickly move your raft away from the launching point as soon as possible and make way for the other peo= ple coming in behind you. There is a dock next to the ramp and this makes thing= s a bit easier. Please don’t hang around here too long. Keep everything moving.

If your raft, canoe, or kayak is small and = can be carried to the water by hand please use our secondary launch site. This spot is located upriver beyo= nd the boat slips and mooring docks used by Riverside Marina. The sandy shore = is an excellent point to launch from. You will be allowed to drive in close to unload equipment and launch your watercraft. Afterwards you will have to mo= ve your vehicle & trailer and park it in a designated parking area.        =        Regardless of which lo= cation you launch from you will need to tow your vessel to the start location four miles upriver. This could take upwards of an hour or more depending on the = size of your support boat. If you do not have the means to tow your raft upriver= we advise participants to use a ramp up near the starting area.

The alternate launch site is a= bout ¼ mile upriver from the start and very close to Gildersleeve Island= . This is a handy spot to launch from as it eliminates towing your watercraft= up to the start. All new participants are encouraged to make use of this ramp = as well as people with kayaks and canoes. Participants will hav= e to drift downriver a short distance to get to the starting area. All Captains = will need to examine the boat launch beforehand and appraise the conditions there before attempting to use it. This boat ramp may not be suitable for launchi= ng larger rafts due to the steep incline of the ramp, fast current, and deep water. The parking here is limited and you will need to move your vehicle o= ut to a public road or to the finish area after launching.

Because= this is a private boat ramp the race committee is obliged to maintain the land owner’s right to privacy. Therefore, the exact location of this launch site will not be published in the rulebook or on our website. The location = will be announced at the Captain’s meeting only. Please be sure contact a committee member for directions to the alternate launch site if you plan to= use it. It can only be used for t= he raft race and is off limits thereafter. Please show the land owner the utmo= st respect and follow any instructions that are given.

Parking   Arrangements



The $15-20 charge to use the boat ramp at Y= ankee Marina includes parking for your tow vehicle & trailer. There is additi= onal parking available next door at the Riverside Marina. Parking at Riverside Marina is preferable since it will situate your crewmembers’ cars in close proximity to the sandy beaches at the finish line, the band pavilion,= and the spectator areas. Both boat yards are located right next to each other so this makes the walk between them pretty easy. Go through the main entrance = into Riverside Marina and drive past the main office and boat sheds. Continue un= til you see a clearing near the edge of the woods. There should be someone ther= e to direct you to the designated parking area.=

Do not park near the band pavilion, spectator areas, or the shoreline.<= /u> Finish line activities will take place her= e on race day and there needs to be plenty of room for the participants and spectators to mill about. Since this spot is where the race ends, it makes = good sense for participants to simply leave much of their party equipment, lawn chairs, and coolers safely stored in their vehicles rather than load everyt= hing on their race vessel. Once the racing is done people can simply retrieve wh= at they need from their cars. All participants are reminded that they are gues= ts of the marinas and should be on their best behavior and act courteously.

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Mooring   Spots   at   Finish   Area

        &= nbsp;   Rafts launched earlier than Saturday, July 26^th need to be moored in a safe location. Captains are fully responsible for their own mooring arrangements. A good spot to secure your raft is slightly upriver of the la= st boat slip at Riverside Marina. This location makes heading to the start on = race day much easier. If you use this area, be sure to leave sufficient room for your raft to drift around a little without contacting any other vessel. The tides and current are constantly shifting so use two anchors to minimize dr= ift. Better yet, pull your raft up on the shore. Each year there are some rafts moored here on Friday.

Pre   Race   Activities =

There will be a grilling contest held the night befor= e the raft race at the Portland Marina campgrounds. Raft racers that are camping overnight are welcome to submit their favorite grilled (homemade) food in t= he contest. The rules are simple: the food must be cooked on a grill over an o= pen flame. The winner will be chosen based upon who receives the highest number= of votes. Voters will consist of all who submitted food in the contest and a random ten other “tasters” in the campground. The winning grill master will receive a trophy and bragging rights. Contest/tasting to take p= lace at 7:00 p.m. on F= riday evening before the raft race. Contest coordinators are Captain Gretchen Bar= tkus and First Mate Shawna Bartkus of the “All Day Suckers” raft.

Start   at   Gildersleeve<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>   Islan= d

        =

  = ;          The starting point can be found in the sheltered waters, out of the main channe= l, on the Western side of Gi= ldersleeve Island. This spot f= lanks the Southern end, or downriver tip, of the island. The main channel is on t= he other side of the island. Directly across from the start area is Petzold’s Marina. In close proximity and slightly upriver is the Middlesex Marina. The riverf= ront in front of these marinas and the starting point are in a no-wake zone. Boa= ts traveling in this vicinity go through very slowly and create no appreciable wake. These conditions provide an inherently safe start location.

Race   Course



Start:&nnbsp; Southern End of Gildersleeve Island

Finish: Portland’s Riverside Marina

From Gildersleeve Island the racecour= se goes downriver approximately 3.6 nautical miles or 4.1 statute miles to the landlubbers. It is preferable to navigate the racecourse by hugging the eas= tern shore as this will offer the shortest possible route. The voyage down the r= iver affords beautiful views of forest land, meadows, and a variety of wildlife.= Wilcox Island will come into view at the halfway point. To the east side is the legendary= Brownstone Quarries where early European settlers carved out the rock and used it to b= uild local homesteads. As vessels continue past the island they will pass beneath the Arrigoni Bridge which takes route 66 & 17 over the Connecticut R= iver. A very short distance further downriver is an old railroad swing bridge and= Middletown’s Harbor Park can be seen on the western shore. This sight indicates the final leg of the race is at hand. At this point the river gradually changes direction as it = starts flowing in an easterly direction towards Riverside Marina.

A raceco= urse diagram is included in this booklet. It provides points of reference and offers a general overview of the entire course layout. A larger version of this diag= ram will be available at the Captains’ Meeting. It will show more details and provide both navigation information and water depths. A downloadable map &a= mp; chart will also be posted on the raft race website at w= ww.ctriverraftrace.org.

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&poun= d; A - <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">America<= /st1:place> Raft	&poun= d; C - C= ruising Raft	&poun= d; S - S= weeper Raft
&poun= d; SK –= ; Single Kayak	&poun= d; MK - = Multiple Kayak
&poun= d; SC - = Single Canoe	&poun= d; MC - = Multiple Canoe