My video is intended only as a supplement to previous ground crew suggestion videos, all of which are more comprehensive than mine. I repeat some good ideas (arrive at boat ramps early!), and add some thoughts that occurred to me, though my experience was very, very brief.
I’m intending for this video to be heard, not viewed, so please excuse the overuse of ridiculous GIFs. Looking at a camera is not my comfort zone of communication.
Planning
Use a Tracking device! Practice with it.
Prepare for wind. (tent sleeping, paddling)--rudder issues
I downloaded Google maps before the race start. I had cell reception for the most part, but not everywhere.
Recruit extended ground crew (people not on-site) for checking weather/position, friends with reliable internet and free time.
Night before the race
Buy water
Organize-I sorted most stuff into 2 coolers: 1 for “dry” food, and the other I filled with ice.
Label bags/bins with “electronics” in one, “clothing” in another. . .just remember it’s tough to sort/find things in the dark.
I wish I had a cute “bon voyage” catch phrase.
During the Race
-Get in the queue at the start early. The race starts at 7:00, even if all the singles are not in the water. If you are in line at 6:45, you may not make it to the bottom of the ramp by 7:00.
-Arrive at boat ramps early. Parking can be crazy. You may have to wait for a train to cross. Bring a good chair.
-Carry the same bag/box/cooler to the ramp, with necessities. Using a fanny pack is probably a good idea.
-Convenience stores may not be open 24/7.
Paddler perspective:
As a paddler, you want to do everything hands-free. Jeremy said he found that it was tough to find a good place to “pull over” and try to fish stuff out of his dry bags.
Double bag your phone. Even if your phone’s waterproof, the charging port may not work if it gets wet. Seal your phone in a ziploc bag, THEN your dry bag.
Know how to recognize your boat in the dark!
-an off-color light
-reflective tape -head lamp
-flashing PFD light -reflective number
In the dark, we can still hear you, even better than during daytime.
As ground crew, you sometimes have to signal to your paddlers where to go in the dark. Paddlers arrive close to the ramp but can’t see the shoreline and don’t know very well exactly how the exit is designed.
Things Jeremy says belong on his packing list for next year:
A drill
A pool noodle
Extra lights
Bilge pump
Portable car battery starter