As a rafter you are one of the lucky few that, for the 49th year since the first river rafting, will build your own styrofoam creation, fight the river’s currents and make the historic journey from start to finish, passing by the two waterfalls on your way. But before this adventure begins, there are some things that could be benificial if you knew.
It is a very good idea to attend the Rafters' course. So good that it is mandatory for all rafters. The education will be held during two sessions, one in Swedish and one in English.
Important information will be presented during the education regarding:
What is the River Festival?
How do you build a raft?
Saftey at sea and mandatory equipment
Pracital information regarding the day of the River Rafting
The way along the river
The Rafters' course will be held on March 24th in Eva von Bahr, Ångströmlaboratoriet (Å100195).
The Rafter's Course is given either at 14:00 or at 16:00. The rafter's individual time will be emailed out as it gets closer.
If you for some reason are unable to attend, you are requried to contact the River Rafting Committie's Saftey and Secuity Officer (SÄK) on sak@forsranningen.utn.se no later than March 17th or as soon as possible if the absence is caused by sickness.
The Construction Site located right next to Ångströmlaboratoriet is the place where all rafters will build their rafts during the week leading up to the day of the River Rafting. On April 29, all rafts will be transported from the construction area to the starting area at Eddaspången and be prepared for their maiden voyage down the Fyris River the next morning.
Before you’re allowed to raft you have to know all the rules, and therefore you have to read the Rafter Regulations. This document contains all the rules and regulations you’ll need to know, and to confirm that you’ve read it you have to sign the Rafters Contract. For example, all rafter must have protection wear such as wet suits, helmets and life jackets. We in the River Rafting committé have the possibility to rent out this equipment to all rafters!
When you arrive at the construction site for the first time you go to Infoteket in Fyren. At Infoteket the captain of the team must sign the Rafter Contract, and then you will get access to the things you need to build your raft. If your team captain can’t be present on your first building day all other team members may sign the Rafter Contract instead (before you’re given brushes to paint the raft, all rafters on the team must sign the Rafter Contract). Then you look for the pile of building materials that will be marked with your raft number. Please note that we are unable to offer more material than what’s allocated. And do not forget that the material should be sufficient for the paddles you need too. There is a golden rule that we do not compromise the slightest on in case one would like to acquire additional material to their raft on their own, "all materials used on the raft shall float, with the sole exception of the nails". The raft is not allowed to have any roof and it is also not allowed to insert nails, pegs, etc. in the styrofoam.
How long it takes to build a raft and how many people you are building it is completely up to you but at least two persons from the team must be present when the shipment is made, on April 29. More information about time will be given later.
Tools such as hammers, rasps and specially designed cellular plastic saws will be available on the construction site for all the rafters. Upon approval of your raft from SÄK, Start and Flott (members of the Rafting committee) you can collect painting brushes in Fyren, and then the coloring can begin! Color will be released, in so-called color drops, on Saturday the 23rd of April at 10:00, and there will also be more colors available later. More information about the construction site, the rules you have to follow and tips for building the perfect raft can be read in the rafters guide.
The construction site is going to be open between April 19th up until the 27th between 10:00 A.M. - and 4:00 P.M on weekdays and 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekends. The exception is 21/4 for Duck day where it is closed all day. Thereafter, on April 29th, every raft will be transported down to Eddaspången where the starting area is found. This date is VERY important if you are rafting since you have to be on site for the transportation. You are responsible for transporting the raft down to Eddaspången if you are absent.
During the morning on Monday the 29th of April, it is finally time for the rafts to be moved from the building site to the start area.
During this day all teams will get a time when they have to be at the construction site to move their raft from the construction area at Ångström Laboratory to the trucks that take the river rafts to the start area. It is important to mark all of your loose objects with your starting number and that you make sure that these are attached to the raft.
It is required that AT LEAST two members of the team are present, but it is recommended that as many as possible show up. It is CRUCIAL that all teams are on time, otherwise the teams must move their raft by themselves to the start area. A river raft not following the dimensions given will also have to be moved to the start area by the team themselves. If the team has rented equipment from us they need to go to Ladan at Polacksbacken to pick it up after the raft has been moved.
Moving times are:
Kl 09:00 - Team 1-25
Kl 09:50 - Team 26-50
Kl 10:40 - Team 51-75
Kl 11:30 - Team 76-100
Kl 12:20 - Team 101-120
If you have any further questions regarding the raft transportation, please contact our transport- and logistics manager Sara Mosebach
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Early on Valborg morning is the time for all Rafters to go to the starting area which is located at Eddaspången along Fyrisån.
Start by signing off your team at the secretariat where you also will be handing in your personal. At the starting area, all rafters will be offered breakfast. Make sure to be on time. If you are late, chances are that you have to start last or not raft at all. The time your team has to be at the secretariat is listed below, and depends on your starting number.
You can find your team's starting number HERE.
Shortly after 09:00 am a warm-up will be held by Campus 1477 to ensure that you are fully prepared for the river rafting fun.
At 10:00 am the first raft will be taking off, and before you start your journey down Fyrisån there will be an opportunity to take a nice group photo at the starting area.
Times to hand in your bag with belongings beside the secretary (this information will be on signs at the starting area as well):
Time
09:00 - 1-30 - Teams
09:20 - 31-60 - Teams
09:40 - 61-90 -Teams
10:00 - 91-120 -Teams
Questions regarding the start plese ask.
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