Hashers,

                Hope everyone is all raring to go. I can confirm that rafting has indeed started in Bao Lai, but the water level at the moment is still low. Need some rain.

I saw 14 boats last Sat struggling through the rocks, some fast stretches though.

 

Here`s a few tips I`ve found either useful or downright life savers.

 

1. There`s 76 rafts this year, meaning over 450 bodies hurtling through Bao Lai town for 1 km run to the boat. So this is the most important part of anyone`s race, if you are competitive at all. So everyone get to the front of the starting line like we did last year and run like fuck to the boat. A good start is imperative as you all know it`s hard overtaking once on the river.

 

2. Everyone the day before the race should have inspected the exact location of the boat you are in, so you know where to go. And the first persons to arrive at the boat should immediately drag it to the nearest water access and the other teammates should also know where this is. If the boat is no longer in its original position it means it has been moved to the river so go there.

 

3. All seating places in the boat should have been finalised before the race so it`s grab a paddle and a quick jump in to your spot. No messing about wondering where to sit.

 

4. While rafting it`s handy if all members remain inside the boat, we don`t get special awards for falling out, even if it looks spectacular. Spammy will confirm this. If anyone happens to decide on a bit of scuba the rest of the team must pull him/her back in again. Don`t lose your paddle, 5 minute penalty for that., 30 minute penalty for anyone lost at sea, so even if you`ve drowned and show absolutely no vital signs it`s important to the team to arrive at the transition in the boat.

 

5. At transition to run it`s a good idea to leave a bag with another pair of shoes in case you lose a shoe in the water, often happens. I personally never change shoes at this point, just prefer to run straight out of the water, makes no difference to me, but all the top sponsored guys change theirs. So I`m often ahead of them at the run start, but not for long!

 

6. The race is in reverse this year including the rafting, just joking, but we go round the circuit in an anticlockwise direction. It`s better for the run as we use #133 road , a lot quieter and prettier and also 1 km shorter than the main road #20.

 

7. Water will only be available on #133, looks like nothing on #20 and #27.

 

8.  Major points:  Bring some beer for the finish as the organizers only have soft drinks and water and who needs any of that? You can`t celebrate with Supau. After the finish I will organize a bash and hot spring. So don`t rush off after you`ve finished. Let`s do it in style, Hash style!

 

Croc