T h e  C a p e  A n n  R o w i n g  C l u b

presents the

15 th   Essex River Race

S a t u r d a y ,  May  1 7 ,  2 0 0 3

The The Essex River Race is a 5.5+ mile open water event from the Essex River at Route 133 in Essex, out behind the barrier beaches of Ipswich and back. Participants row or paddle small boats through one of the most scenic tidal areas in New England. Occasionally the water can be very rough, with strong winds and currents. As with all on-water activities in such conditions, safety should be the first concern of all participants and organizers. The orderly, safe and sportsmanlike conduct of this event is your personal responsibility, and is essential to guaranteeing the future of the Essex River Race.

We have no rain date; there?s always an event.

The Essex River Race is open to all seaworthy human-powered rowing and paddle boats. Participants? crafts usually include Banks dories, fixed seat singles, doubles, multi-oars with cox, multi-oars without cox, sliding seat singles & doubles, single & double touring kayaks.

In this year?s event, there will be no awards ceremony and no distinct classes. Given the narrow size of the river at the start, participants will be sent out in heats composed of roughly comparable crafts. (Heats will be announced at the Skipper?s Meeting at 10:00AM.) Times will be kept and recorded for all participants, and results will be made available at the finish line (and later posted on the CARC web site). Serious racers are allowed and encouraged, within the guidelines of safety and sportsmanship, to push one another to their limits. Casually oriented participants are equally welcome, and may cover the course in a more relaxed fashion (though, for safety reasons, all participants MUST clear the course within two hours of their starting time).

YOU MUST REGISTER AND SIGN A WAIVER IN PERSON! Registration begins at 9:00 am at the ERBA parking lot near the intersection of Routes 133 and Route 22. Registration tables will be located in the parking lot near the boat ramp. Vehicles may be parked in the lot while unloading boats and equipment. However, YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE PARKED IN THE ERBA PARKING DURING THE EVENT. YOU MUST MOVE YOUR VEHICLE AS SOON AS YOU HAVE UNLOADED YOUR GEAR! Parking is available behind Woodman?s Restaurant on Route 133, or behind the Essex Police Station on Route 22 (each of these lots is approx. ? mile from the ERBA lot ? plan accordingly!) Rest rooms are available next to the ERBA Kayak Rental facility.

LOGISTICS CAN DELAY YOU! Please allow plenty of time to park, register, attend the skipper?s meeting and launch. Boats can be rowed or paddled to the starting line from the ERBA parking lot up river to the Conomo Caf? on Route 133.

Race results will be posted approx. 2 weeks after the race.

All registration is on-site on the day of the race. There is no pre-registration.