Rules of the River

 

The Hawkesbury River is tidal from Windsor down with varying degrees of flow - depending on recent rains. Combinations of wind and tide can cause waves in all parts of the river. Hence spray skirts are recommended.

River width is variable, but noticeably widens after Checkpoint “H”. Large open expanses of water occur near Checkpoint “O” and at several locations downstream with the widest occurring on the last leg to the 100km finish.

We strongly recommend that you drive and paddle the course in daylight hours as part of your race preparation. The most common points of confusion are the MacDonald River and Berowra Waters junctions. Remember, turn hard right at Wisemans Ferry and hard left at Bar Point (Checkpoint “Q”).

Familiarisation paddles may be available and are an excellent way to get to know the river and to talk to other paddlers.

Navigational lights

CAUTION: As paddlers approach both Spencer and Bar Point, a white flashing navigation light (cardinal marker) may be confused with checkpoint lights. These are indicated on paddler’s maps.

From Checkpoint H downstream, red and green navigation lights can be very helpful in choosing the correct paddling course. Remember, as you paddle downstream, the channel is on the left of the red channel markers and the right of the green markers.

Ferry cables

BEWARE: There are four car ferry cables to be crossed by competitors in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic - Sackville, Lower Portland, Webbs Creek and Wisemans Ferry. Transport for New South Wales (Maritime) has placed the following restrictions on craft crossing ferry cables as part of the event’s Aquatic Licence:

• No craft will cross ferry cables while the ferry is underway.

• Ferry cables will only be crossed midstream, in the marked channel and ONLY when the orange flashing light on the ferry is extinguished.

To help paddlers comply with these instructions there will be small floats with a blue strobe flashing light placed so that they form a gate about 50 metres upstream of each car ferry. A second gate of blue flashing strobe lights will be a similar distance downstream of each ferry.

Competitors must pass through BOTH these gates and remain midstream until they have passed through the second gate.  Each car ferry will have an orange flashing light mounted on it. This light will be turned on whenever the vessel is moving. No competitor may pass through the channel or cross ferry cables while the ferry’s light is flashing. SES vessels will be stationed at each ferry to guide paddlers through the gates. Failure to comply with these instructions will result in disqualification from the event and may jeopardise the entire event for coming years.​