The Great River Amazon Raft Race 2009
(The Faint of Heart Need not Apply!!)
The Amazon Rafting Club, based in Iquitos, Peru, invites rafters, canoeists, rowers, paddlers and adventurers from all over the world to compete in this year’s event.
The 3 day race will start in the town of Nauta on Friday, 25th September 2009, and finish in the City of Iquitos on Sunday, 27th September 2009. Each 4 person crew will paddle a raft they built themselves the day before the race (24th September). Each raft will be constructed of lightweight balsawood logs which will be provided. Then the teams will raft down the mighty Amazon River for 112 miles. The winning crews will show excellence in raft construction, teamwork, stamina and knowledge of currents and rivers.
The History of The Great River Amazon Raft Race
In June 1998 Mike Collis moved to Iquitos from Birmingham, England, for what he thought would be a quiet life. In 1999 Mike was asked by the Director of Tourism in Iquitos if he had any ideas to promote tourism in the amazon region. Mike told him that for more than 25 years he had organized raft races in England.
The first Amazon Raft Race took place on the 29th July 1999, on the Nanay River. 43 crews competed in the 12 mile, one day race from Santa Clara to Bella Vista Nanay. The winning team completed the course in just over 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The second race, one year later, was on the same course with over 60 teams from 14 different countries competing.
In 2003 the course was extended to 26 miles over 2 days, from the village of Nina Rumi to Bella Vista Nanay. The winning team completed the course in 4 hours and 20 minutes.
This race format continued into 2004 and 2005 when it was decided to go for the “Big One” in 2006. This race, the first over such a distance, attracted rafters from 11 countries. The fastest foreign team led by Dale Baskin represented the South American Explorers Club in Quito, Ecuador. The 2007 Great River Amazon Raft Race attracted rafters from Australia, USA, England, Scotland, Peru, Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand, Holland, Germany, and Mexico. The fastest foreign team represented the False Creek Canoe Club from Vancouver, Canada.
The 2008 Great River Amazon Raft Race was the first to be won by a foreign crew. David Kelly and his illustrious “Easy Living” team completed the course in a record time of only 12 hours and 19 minutes.
Raft Construction
Mass start at Isla de Pescadores
Dutch Ladies team “Arco Iris”
Winning Ladies team “Discoteca La Noche”, Peru
”Easy Living” crossing the Finish Line
2008 Champions “Easy Living”USA
Race Information 2009
Itinerary/Arrival & Departure Info
All foreign teams must be in Iquitos by Tuesday 22nd September for the “Rafters Get Together” and reception at the Amazon Café in the Iron House on the Plaza de Armas at 8.00p.m
Thursday 24th September.
7.30 a.m. All teams leave by bus for the 2 hour drive to Nauta where there will be a civic reception at 11.00 a.m. in the Plaza de Armas.
12.00 noon . Lunch (provided)
1.30 p.m. All competitors cross the river by boat to Isla de Pescadores (Fisherman’s Island)
2.00 p.m Each team constructs their own raft with local help if required.
6.00p.m. Dinner for competitors (provided)
7.00 p.m Fiesta with music and dancing on the beach.
Sleep overnight on the beach in tents provided by the Nauta City Council.
Friday 25th September.
7.00 a.m. Breakfast (provided)
8.30 a.m. Mass start from the beach to the isolated village of Porvenir a distance of 36 miles (average time 6.00 hours).
6 .00 p.m. Dinner (provided).
All participants sleep in tents. (provided).
Saturday 26th September.
6.30 a.m. Breakfast (provided)
Mass start at 7.30 a.m. .
This 2nd leg is to the town of Tamshiyacu, a distance of 41 miles ( average time of 6.30 hours).
6.00 p.m. Dinner (provided).
8.00 p.m. Grand Fiesta .
All participants will sleep in the school on mattresses (provided).
Sunday 27th September.
6.30 a.m. Breakfast (provided).
Mass start at 7.30 a.m.
This final leg is from Tamshiyacu to the Fishing Club at Bella Vista Nanay, just outside the City of Iquitos, at a distance of 41 miles (average time 5.30 hours).
Party and Prize ceremony will follow the finish at the Fishing Club.
8.30 p.m. Rafters Party at the Amazon Café .
Rules
1. Each team must consist of 4 persons.
2. Substitution is allowed, but with a time penalty of 2 hours per substitution.
3. Rafts will be constructed by each team* with a minimum of 8 balsawood logs no less than 5 meters in length.
4. Only the first and last metre of the logs can be carved into points.
5. Only paddles (no double bladed paddles) may be used; no oars, no sails, no motors, no towing. (paddles will be provided but professional paddles can be used).
6. Life jackets MUST be worn at all times while on the water.
7. Teams must not interfere or impede the progress of other teams.
8. No alcohol or drugs allowed onboard rafts.
9. Each team will be allocated a raft number which must be displayed on the raft at all times.
10. The Judges’ decision will be final.
*Foreign teams will be allowed local help if necessary*
Items needed on Raft
Life jackets*
Ponchos
Long pants*
Flashlight
Sun screen
Foam rubber for seats
Water bottle(s)
Broad brimmed hat*
Long-sleeved shirt(s)*
Gloves, gardening or similar
First aid kit
Insect repellant
Machete
Snacks/small food items
The above items can be purchased in Iquitos. Items marked with an * can be rented in Iquitos. Lifejackets are provided but you can use your own.
Team Sponsorship
We encourage foreign teams to find sponsors and raise money for
a good cause of their own choice.
In 2008 the Dutch team raised over 5000 euros for an orphanage here in Iquitos.
Inscription/Entry Fee for Foreign Teams
The Entry Fee is $400US per team of 4.
This includes: Transport by bus to Nauta, 8 balsawood logs and other construction materials,,lifejackets, paddles , treated drinking water and all meals
Additional Information
For spectators and supporters who would like more comfortable accommodation during the race then the luxurious river boat “Dawn on the Amazon” has a limited number of cabins available.
For more information please visit: www.dawnontheamazon.com
Read about previous races by clicking here;
http://www.iquitostimes.com/race-2008-results.htm
Other articles can be found by logging onto; www.google.com and searching for Amazon Raft Race
The Amazon Rafting Club
The Amazon Rafting Club was informally formed after the 2006 Great River Amazon Raft Race.
Membership Fee = *FREE*
President 2008 – 2009 David Kelly, the Captain of the 2008 winning crew. crew.
Membership Qualifications - Open to anyone who competes in “The Great River Amazon Raft Race.”
Club Benefits – Certificate of Membership; Bragging rights to being one of the elite few who have competed in this unique race.
President 2008-2009
David Kelly
Past Presidents
2006-2007 Dale Baskin USA
2007-2008 Robyn Tkatch Canada
Amazon Raft race 2009 Blog
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