Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Register HERE for the CAT Race

Registration is OPEN and participants are signing up. We are only taking registration for the race online.

Step One:
Get your NYC DEP Access Permit HERE (it's online and free). Early registration ensures closer proximity to the waters edge for your boat.

Step Two:
Register at IMAthlete HERE.

Step Three:
Make your appointment for boat cleaning early and get the best time for your schedule.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Kayak and Canoe Rentals in the Cannonsville Area

The calls are already starting to come in and interest in the inaugural Cannonsville Adventure Triathlon (the CAT Race) is building. Some folks have their sneakers and can run a decent 10k. They have their road bike and 12 miles is within their ability to ride at a decent clip. They can paddle the four miles, but they don't have a canoe or kayak as they usually rent (or they have a canvas bottom boat and don't want to put it through the steam cleaning process). They're not planning on winning so they don't need a super fast boat. Sooooooooo.... what do they do?

Why rent one of course! Here are a list of outfitters in the area, listed in order of closest proximity to Hancock:

Border Water Outfitters, 140 East Front Street Hancock 607-637-4296

Catskill Outfitters 7 North Street Walton 607-865-8827

Al's Sport Store, 6964 River Road Downsville 607-363-7740

Tall Pines Campgrounds, 2715 County Route 35 Bainbridge 607-563-8271


Area rentals may run out fast so make sure to reserve so you get the type of boat you want in the area you want. Also confirm if they will provide racks or padding for your car so you can transport the boat yourself.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

USA Triathlon Sanctioned Race

Race organizers for the CAT Race are happy that the USA Triathlon has sanctioned this inaugural race. The USAT mission is to encourage, support and enhance the multisport experience in the United States. Delaware County event organizers are hoping to tap into the 130,000 members of USAT to generate interest as well as provide confidence in racers from the local area.

Mark Hughes, Owner of Fast Finishes, who is providing the timing support for the race, is looking forward to a challenging day for racers. “We're very happy that this is a USA Triathlon sanctioned race. Sanctioning sets a high standard for the event. It will be a fair event raced under the rules of the sport. Drafting is not allowed on the bike, as per triathlon rules. It's a fast, competitive course. The run is flat and fast and the reservoir is smooth and ready for some fast paddling. The bike has some hills and will challenge you all the way to the finish.”

The Paddle Leg / Transition Area - Things To Know

Participant classes have also been broken down by boat classes. Boat classes have been broken down into a simple system based on the overall length of the boat. This classification system is to make the paddle leg as fair and as simple for everyone. It in no way speaks to the complexity of paddle craft and the nuances in hull design but it offers some fairness in that world of complexity.

Due to the size of our launch area, the number of boats and the sensitivity of the waters edge at the reservoir we will have volunteers to assist, if needed and or wanted, for carrying, launching and landing boats. Please keep in mind we have limited resources and volunteers may NOT be available at your time of entry into the paddle area. This may include a short wait for help if help is needed and or wanted. Your times will not be adjusted for any wait in the paddle area and any protests will be denied due to a wait in the paddle area.

Helpful Hints for paddle leg:
Lighter, skinnier and longer kayaks/canoes are faster.
Shorter, wider and heavier boats are slower.
First Come first served means first registered racers will get better spots in the paddle transition area. Register early.
Practice your paddling. Be familiar with your boat, with proper stroke technique and self rescues.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Racers / Boat Classes

The NYC DEP has minimum boat length requirements. All kayaks must be at least 9'6" in length and all canoes be at least 11'6" in length.

For race results, boats will be broken down into classes as follows:

K1/C1 = overall boat length under 15 feet
K1/C1 Pro = overall boat length over 15 feet

Team K1/C1 = overall boat length under 15 feet, more than one racer, single paddler
Team K1/C1 Pro = overall boat length over 15 feet, more than one racer, single paddler

Team Tandem K2/C2 = overall boat length under 17 feet, teams using tandem boats, two paddlers
Team Tandem K2/C2 Pro = overall boat length over 17 feet, teams using tandem boats, two paddlers

Two Things You MUST Do Differently For This Race

We are so pleased that the New York City Department of Environmental Protection has allowed us to host this event on the Cannonsville Reservoir. It is a unique experience for paddlers and boaters and one we hope you enjoy.

But there are TWO important things you must do that are a little different from what you may usually experience when registering for, and participating in our race. Please read through carefully.

FIRST: You must obtain an access permit from the NYC DEP to be on the reservoir. This is an access permit for your person, so if you have a team entry, each person on your team must have their own access permit. Your access permit will have a number on it. You MUST have this number before you start the registration process on IMAthele.com. The good news is that it is FREE and EASY to get online. Just follow this link.

SECOND: You must have your boat steam cleaned before race day. This process ensures that no invasive species or slimy things attached to your boat from elsewhere will release themselves in the pristine waters of the Cannonsville. There are five authorized boat cleansing stations around the reservoir. All boats must be cleaned prior to race day and stored at the transition area at the Patterson Boat Launch. NYC DEP will patrol the launch sites and our local police and retired police will be stationed at the launch area all day and overnight. The cleansing is FREE for racers. A tag will be affixed to your boat that will authorized it to be on the reservoir. You should call the cleansing station of your choice and make an appointment for the Friday or Saturday before the race. As there will be 300 boats being cleaning over these two days and the process takes about 20 minutes per boat, having an appointment and sticking to that appointment will be an extremely important planning element for racers and your sole responsibility. Cleansing stations are listed on the attached PDF as well as on the Google Race Map. They will be open for extended hours to accommodate racers.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

CAT Race Area Lodging, dining, things to do

Here's a Google Map with local lodging from motels to B&B's to campgrounds; dining from full service restaurants to pizza and fast food, and things to do from antiquing to golf.


View Cannonsville Reservoir Area Map in a larger map