INSTRUCTIONS – GUIDE LINES
DEAR PARTICIPANT
The day for the biggest fest of Greek SUP is coming. We believ that every one of you is waiting the “9th Corinth Canal Crossing” with anticipation. The Control Tower of the Canal will stop the naval traffic for 2 hours and will give the opportunity to every SUP-er to paddle through history.
Below you will find some useful information about the crossing.
REGISTRATION
Every one that has completed the electronic registration for the event, must be present at the committee desks, which will be in the garden of Canal Administration Office (AEDIK) at Isthmia (the Eastern side of the Canal – the side of Saronic Gulf).
In order to avoid delays, there will be 4 desks to help, according the alphabetican order of your Last name.
After completing the registration there, you will get a bag with the event lycra, which you are obliged to were during the event.
HOW TO COME
From highway A8, EXIT to “Epidavros”. Coming from Athens is the next exit after “Loutraki”. Turn left under the bridge heading to “Epidavros”. After 1.3km turn left to “Isthmia”
After 500m you will reach the sinking bridge of Isthmia
WARNING! Don’t cross the bridge. Turn right just one street before the bridge. You have reached the Parking Area of AEDIK
PARKING AREAS
There is a lot of Parking area. For easier parking, please try to park right in order to help others.
Isthmia: At Isthmia there is a big space for parking (1) in front the main entrace of AEDIK office and the parking space (2) behind the main building, near the beach whichh is easier to get in the water, in case the start will be from Istmia (scenario B)
Posidonia: There is plenty parking space in both sides of the Canal. (3) from Loutraki side and (4) from Corinth side.
CROSSING
The total length of the Canal is 6.343 meters, which 540 meters are the ports of Isthmia and Posidonia.
Inside the Canal flows a current, affected by wind and the moon. The current’s speed is usually 2-4 knots and changes direction every 6 hours. The flow direction will set the starting point and the time of change will set the precise time-schedule of the event. Starting point will be set the side of the canal which favors the participants.
The start will be a “mass start’. All participants must be sitting on their board with feet inside the water. Categories Race 14’0’’ and 12’6’’ will be placed in front row. Caegory SURF (all around boards) willl be at the second row or further back.
Warning! The Canal is a controled traffic area. There will be boat and Ship traffic before the event. NO ENTRANCE is allowed in the water before relative annoucement from the event’s PRO.
The traffic during the event inside the canal will be on the mindle of canal’s width, where the current is stronger and in order for rescue boats to have a clear passage on both sides.
Finish will be on water.
There will be two possible scenarios , according the current flow.
ATTENTION THE FINAL PROGRAMM AND TIME SCHEDULE WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SATURDAY 21/9/19
DIRECTION TO DRIVE FROM ONE TO THE OTHER
Follow the below route to drive from Istmia to Posidonia:
Starting from Isthmia, head up to main road going to Epidavros. Turn right to Corinthos. Go straight under the bridge of highway A8 until the next intersection.
On the traffic light, turn right to Athens. cross the old bridge of Isthmus and after 50 m turn left to Loutraki.
Follow this road for aprox. 6,80 Κm, leave on your left the gas stations and keep on the left lane. Turn left to Loutraki Casino.
At the Casino, turn left. at the end of this road you will reach the Posidonia bridge. Parking space will be on your right hand side.
If the parking space is full, you can cross the bridge and park on the opposite side at parking are (4)
The reversed route will drive you from Posidonia to Isthmia.
SCENARIO – Α
Start at Isthmia – Finish at Posidonia (East to West)
In that case where the current favors the direction from Isthmia to Posidonia, the proceedure will be :
Metting Point ISTHMIA.
After Registration at Istmia, will follow SUPers Meeting with all necessary information.
Then all participants will get in the water from the sandy beach behind the AEDIK’s building. Ther is a door leading to the beach from the registration area in the garden.
Finish line will be at Posidonia on the water, on the right side of the dock. Signs will show the exact place.
After crossing the finish, don’t stand in the way of following paddlers and head up right to the beach on the right (Loutraki) side to exit with safety.
If you are without companion, to pick you up, you can leave your boards on the beach inside their boardbag. Organizing individuals will be ther to secure your board until you get it back.
Buses will be on site to get you back at Isthmia.
Lunch at the buffet and award ceremony will be take place at Isthmia.
At the end or whenever you like, you can drive and get your board waiting at Posidonia.
PROGRAMM
Registration (Isthmia): 09:00 – 11:30
SUPers Meeting: 11:30 – 12:00
Start: 12:30
Last finish: 14:30
Return to Isthmia: 14:30-15:30
Lunch: 15:30
Award Ceremony: 16:30
Event end: 18:00
ATTENTION : Programm can be changed according to current conditions of flow or naval traffic.
SCENARIO – Β
Starting at Posidonia – Finish at Isthmia (West to East)
In that case where the current favors the direction from Posidonia to Isthmia, the proceedure will be :
Metting Point ISTHMIA. ATTENTION: DON’T UNLOAD YOUR BOARD
After Registration at Isthmia, will follow SUPers Meeting with all necessary information.
Then all participants will drive to Posidonia. You can leave a bag with dry clothes , towels, etc at registration desk (1) in order to have them at finish.
At Posidonia youn can park your car in parking areas (3) and (4) to unload your board.
Finish line will be at Isthmia on the water, on the right side of the dock. Signs will show the exact place.
After crossing the finish, don’t stand in the way of following paddlers and head up right to the beach behind AEDIK building to exit with safety.
If you are without companion, you can get to the bus, which will take you back to Posidonia to get your car. Buses will go right after the finish.
Lunch at the buffet and award ceremony will be taken place at Isthmia.
PROGRAMM
Registration (Isthmia): 09:00 – 11:00
SUPers Meeting: 11:00 – 11:30
Transfer to Posidonia: 11:30 – 12:30
Start: 13:00
Lunch: 15:30
Award Ceremony: 16:30
Event end: 18:00
ATTENTION : Programm can be changed according to current conditions of flow or naval traffic.
CATEGORIES
The three first of each Category below will be awarded:
14’0’’ : Men | Master Men | Women | Young Men | Young Women
12’6’’ : Men | Master Men | Women | Young Men | Young Women| Boys | Girls
Fun : Men | Master Men | Women
Team : XL Team SUP
RULES
There are not many rules, just a few but necessary.
Every participant must paddle in the middle of the canal’s width, on the side that organizers will designate accordingly, leaving enough space for rescue and other boats to move.
Every participant is obliged to help any incident might occur until rescue boat arrives.
In case a participant exceed the time limit of two hours, he/she is obliged to get on board in a boat in order to get at the finish.
Extra attention must be given, protecting the natural enviroment inside the canal from any kind of polution.
As the starting line area is limited and the number of participants is big, there will be overcrowding in the beggining. That is why everyone must be very careful until there is safe distances from each other.
SAFETY
The whole prceedure might seem easy nd simple, but it can be very difficult and cause many problems, if all of us do not comply with this rules.
The big number of participants request respect and attention from ALL of US.
This event is a fest and eneryone must enjoy it.
Use of Leash is mandatory.
During the crossing rescue boats will carry lifeguards and water for anyone who needs to. On land, ambulance with doctor and medical personel will be stand by.
In case you feel weakness during the crossing, sign with hands above he head, the closest boat in ordere to get help.
GOOD LUCH and INJOY
THE WORLD’S STRAIGHTEST SUP RACE