Race Date: July 13, 2024

REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 2024

CARC provides gas money, race hats, and race shirts to Safety Boat Operators.
Please contact
supportboats@capeannrowingclub.com for information.

Pre-Race Information

  • Early Registration: The early registration fee for the 2024 Blackburn Challenge is likely to be $90 per challenger, with a $450/boat maximum. There is a 50% discount for traditional Banks dory competitors when registered early. In addition, registering early saves you money and guarantees you event entry, tasty foods, and sweet swag!

  • Late Registration: The late registration fee for the 2024 Blackburn Challenge is likely to be $115 per challenger, with a $575/boat maximum. The late registration period begins on July 1st. Don’t delay! Event registration is capped at 300 boats, and it fills quickly. In addition, race shirts may not be available for late registrations due to supply chain inefficiencies,

  • Post-Race Meal Tickets: Likely to be $15 per additional person — purchase via Participant Registration.

  • Registration Closes: Wednesday, July 10th 2024. THERE IS NO EVENT-DAY REGISTRATION!!!

  • Surfski Paddlers: The 2024 Blackburn Challenge is a USA Ocean Racing Team Qualifier! Visit the American Canoe Association to learn more.

Race Day Information

  • Race Course: See the Blackburn Challenge Race Course page.

  • Race Day Committee Hotline: TBD

  • Gloucester High School Address: 32 Leslie O Johnson Rd., Gloucester, MA 01930

  • Rest Rooms: Facilities are available inside/outside at Gloucester High School.

  • Liability Waivers: Liability waivers are completed as part of the online registration process for both captains and all crew members.

  • Safety Review: There will be a safety review required before you can complete the check-in process. Look for roaming safety officials wearing orange vests. One person per boat (captain or designated person) should obtain clearance and receive a stamp/sticker, which must be presented during challenger check-in. 

  • Challenger Check-In: Class-specific tables will be available for challenger check-in from 6:00 am to 7:00 am in the Gloucester High School cafeteria. Access to the cafeteria is located near the school tennis courts (follow the people).

  • Race Numbers: Must be securely attached to both sides of your bow.

  • Captains’ Meeting: Mandatory 7:00 am meeting covering additional logistical information and latest updates/changes to race course and class starting orders/times. All boat captains must attend.

  • Safety Equipment: See the Blackburn Challenge Race Rules page.

  • Boat Launch: LAUNCH LOGISTICS CAN DELAY YOU! Allow plenty of time to stage and launch your vessel. Smaller boats and kayaks can use the unpaved areas surrounding Gloucester High School for staging and launching. Trailered boats must utilize the shared public-access loading ramp.

  • Starting Protocol: All challengers must position their vessels behind the starting line on the north side of the railroad bridge prior to class start. A roll-call will be conducted to confirm class participants. A one-minute warning will be issued by the race official, followed by the starting signal.

  • Class Starting Order/Time (General):

    • 7:30 - Stand-Up Paddleboards and Prone Boards - Start immediately after Captains Meeting

    • 7:45 - Sliding-Seat Multi Rowing and Fixed-Seat Multi Rowing - Possible moving start.

    • 7:50 - Workboats, Banks Dories, Single and Double Canoes, and Open Class

    • 7:55 - Fixed-Seat Singles and Doubles

    • 8:00 - World Rowing C1X Singles

    • 8:05 - Sliding Seat Racing and Touring Doubles

    • 8:10 - Sliding Seat Racing Singles

    • 8:15 - Sliding Seat Touring Singles

    • 8:20 - OC-1, OC-2, and OC-4 Outrigger Canoes

    • 8:25 - Sea Kayak (SK) and Fast Sea Kayak (FSK) Singles

    • 8:30 - Sea Kayak (SK), Fast Sea Kayak (FSK), High-Performance Kayak (HPK), and SS20 Doubles

    • 8:35 - High-Performance Kayak (HPK) and SS20 Singles

    • 8:45 - OC-6 Outrigger Canoes

  • Time Limit: 6 Hours. Safety Boats and Timing Crew will finish after 6 hours. All still-active challengers must immediately head to shore and call the race committee hotline at TBD at the 6-hour mark.

  • Do not cross the finish line twice!!

ATTENTION

It is essential that race officials and safety boat operators know who is on the course at all times. 
Each challenger must confirm his or her participation with 1) the start line committee, 2) the safety boat anchored at Straitsmouth Gap, and 3) the finish line committee at Pavilion Beach.  If you do not pass through Straitsmouth Gap 3 hours after your start time, you must head to the nearest shore and notify the race committee at TBD. If you do not reach Pavilion Beach 6 hours after your start time, you must head to the nearest shore and notify the race committee at TBD. Blackburn Challenge safety boats and the race committee are not responsible for challengers who do not comply with this policy.

Finish Line / Post-Race Information

  • Finish Line Facilities Open: 12:00pm

  • Award Ceremony: 2:00pm

  • Pavilion Beach Address: 33 Commercial Street, Gloucester MA 01930

  • Parking Information - On-street metered parking and public lots are available in nearby locations. Do NOT park in the Beauport Hotel or 33 Commercial Street lots near the finish line — you will be ticketed/towed — unless you are a hotel guest!

  • Rest Rooms: Facilities are available outside at Pavilion Beach.

  • Food & Beverages: Wristbands = food and non-alcoholic beverages. Additional meal tickets for non-challengers must be purchased during pre-race online registration. Race-day ticket purchases are not available.

  • Alcoholic Beverages: Beer from a local brewery is normally available for purchase by people over the age of 21. Please remain within the designated area (no beer on the beach) and enjoy responsibly!

  • SWAG: Additional race shirts and hats may be purchased at the finish line, if available.

  • Boat Take-Out: There is a public loading ramp available on Western Ave, at the west end of Pavilion beach. The ramp lot is small, but taking-out there is the best option, at least until the party ends at the beach. Trailered boats and OC-6 outrigger canoes are allowed to return to Gloucester High School via the drawbridge cut. Gloucester High School is approximately 15 minutes away (walking).

  • Behavior: Please be courteous to the area’s neighbors, hotel staff/guests, and beach goers. Do not distract the timing crew inside the Chamber of Commerce.