Belgian Downwind Championship / Belgian Coast Race

Welcome to the fourth edition of the Belgian Coast Race / Belgian SUP Tour

The race has its homebase in Ostend, a beautiful town in the midst of our 67 km stretch of coastline.

Ostend is easy to reach by public transport (train) or car (highway E40, exit 4)

The 2024 race will be an open race for all nationalities, but will also serve as the Belgian national championships (for participants to the Belgian champs a canoe federation licence is required)

The race is open for different types of vessels : SUP, Surfski , seakayak, OC1, kite, … but everyone will do the full distance

ABOUT THE RACE

The race will take place on saturday the 28th of September

Program

Tbd (dependent of flow and wind conditions) – decided thursday before the race

briefing – race – price giving ceremony and diner

Start (time -place tbd)

Everybody passes boat control: vessel, leash, number, communication device will be checked before the start.

race bibs and trackers will be given when you pass boat control!

Start sequence is tbd

Don’t forget to put some dry gear / straps in the cars

Finish

Finish after 21Km downwind at the beach in (tbd)

Finish is between two rows of beach flags on the shore ( short run)

After the finish, collect your craft and carry to parking

Tie your boat/board to the waiting trailers so put straps in your dry gear bag. Change to dryrobe or dryer gear to drive back

Everyone is responsable for strapping their own material to the trailers.

Shower options , prize giving + meal afterward

On Sunday 29 of September between 9:30 and 12:00 there will be a free training session (12km) where trailers and transport will be provided

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Inscriptions are open

The entry fee includes trackers, shower facilities and 1 meal after the race

Are you supporting your athlete or do you just like to watch the race and join us for a meal during prizegiving?
for 20 € you can join the meal, please book in advance.

What do I need to race

A boat/craft/board : bring a surfski, specski, OC1 , seakayak or Sup that is adapted to your ability as a paddler
There are no length or weight limitations for surfski construction.
Bring your own surfski/board or rent one
for more info for a possible rental: click on the tab ‘practical’ and select ‘rental boats’
A paddle: all participants have to bring their own paddle/kite
A life jacket or PFD: All competitors shall wear a flotation device for their body weight approved by the race committee from before the start until after the finish of every event.
A leash : (approved by the organisers) connecting the competitor to their craft. Must be worn (attached) from the turning point after the start until the final turning point before the finish.
Communication device such as a (charged) cell phone or vhf radio.
It’s strongly advised to install the safe TRX app on your phone and use it during the race
an emergency number of the race committee will be given during the briefing. It is advised to put that as a contact in your phone
Waterproof pouch for cellphones
Clothing: adapted to the conditions on race day
Tracker: will be provided by the organisation 20 mins before the start

Ocean Racing may involve participants in dangerous situations. It is a requirement that any competitor, seeing another in real danger shall render all assistance in his or her power. Failure to do so may involve disqualification. Time bonuses based on actual delays can be awarded to any competitor providing assistance to a fellow participant.

Responsibility : A competitor accepts the risks as a participant of the training for and participating in the Coast Race, disability and mortality in the worst case,  otherwise I will not participate in the Coast Race , the workouts in advance and / or other related activities. Finally, by competing I will not accuse organizing volunteers , employees , directors , sponsors , municipal , county and / or any legal entities and / or individuals associated with the Coast Race for any damage and / or loss in one of these activities . Participants that are assessed during the race by the lifeguards or race committee as not able enough or below the safety time will be removed of the race for their own safety