Rafters Info

As a rafter, you are one of the lucky few who, for the 50th year since the first Rafting, will get to build your own foam artwork, battle the rapids' currents and make the ancient journey from Start to Finish via the two falls. But before this adventure begins, there are some things you might want to know.

Education of rafters

The rafters education is a good thing to attend, so good that it is even compulsory for all rafters. The training will be held on two occasions, one in Swedish and one in English. During the Guttering Training you will meet Forskå and get important information.

The main points that will be covered are:
- What is the River Festival?
- How to build a raft?
- Maritime safety and equipment requirements
- Practical implementation on Valborg
- The road along the river

The rafters education will take place on Sunday, April 6th in the Eva von Bahr Hall (Å100195) at the Ångström Laboratory.

The rafters education will be held twice, one starting at 14.00 and one starting at 16.00. We will email you the time you should attend.

In the unlikely event that you cannot attend, you must notify SÄK via sak@forsranningen.utn.se no later than March 30th or as soon as possible if the absence is due to illness.

how To build a raft

The construction site located right next to the Ångström Laboratory is the place where all the rafters build their rafts during the week before Valborg. On April 29, all the rafts will be transported from the construction area to the starting area at Eddaspången and made ready for the maiden voyage down the rapids the following morning.

Before you can race, you must of course know all the rules, and therefore you must have read the Rafter Regulation. This document contains all the rules and regulations you need to know, and to confirm that you have read it, you sign the Rafters Agreement. An example of this is that all rafters must wear protective equipment in the form of a wetsuit, helmet and life jacket.

The first time you arrive at the construction area, the team captain must go to the Info Desk at Fyren and sign the Rafters Agreement. If the team captain cannot be present on the first day of construction, all team members in addition to the team captain can sign the Rafters Agreement instead (to start painting the raft, the whole team must have signed the Rafters Agreement). Once this is done, you get what you need to build your raft.

Next, find the pile of materials that will be marked with your raft number.
Please note that the material there is what you will have access to and that we are not able to offer more than what has been allocated. Also, don't forget that there should be enough for the paddles you need.There is a golden rule that we do not compromise on in case you want to acquire extra material for the raft on your own: “all materials used on the raft must float, with the sole exception of the nail”.The raft must also have no roof or superstructure.Nails, sticks, etc. must not be put in the cellular plastic.

If questions arise while you are building, you can look in the Rafters Guide or grab the first best Forskåit, but preferably SÄK, FLOTT or Pryl, who have a little extra control over that with rafts, rules and materials.

How long it takes to build a raft and how many you are to build it is entirely up to you, but at least two in the team must be in place when the transport takes place, on April 29. Times for this will be announced later.

For the rafters who will create their masterpieces, tools such as hammers, rasps and specially designed foam saws will be on site.
Rasping may only be done in designated containers on site to minimize littering.

Once your raft has been approved by SÄK, Start and FLOTT, paint brushes will be available for collection in Fyren and then the painting can begin! Paint will be available, after the so-called color release. More info about the construction area, rules and tips for raft building can be found in the Rafter Guide.

The construction site will be open between April 19th and April 26th, between 10:00-16:00 on weekdays and 11:00-16:00 on weekends. Then, on April 29th, all the rafts will be transported down to Eddaspången where the starting area for the rafting is located. This date is extremely important to remember as a rafter as you must be present when the transportation takes place. In case of absence, you are responsible for the transportation of the raft down to Eddaspången.

raft transport
on Kvalborg

During the day all teams will get a time wheDuring the morning of Kvalborg, Tuesday April 29th, the big move of the rafts from the construction area to the starting area will finally take place!

All rafting teams will be assigned a time during the day to be at the construction site to move their rafts from the construction site to one of the trucks that will then drive the rafts down to the start area. It is very important that you mark loose items such as oars with your start number and that these are attached to the raft before transportation.

So we will only transport your raft and your paddles. We will also NOT be responsible for the transportation of any detachable parts of your raft, as these risk being destroyed during transport. Therefore, these must be transported by you.

It is required that AT LEAST two people from each team show up for this. If the team has built a raft that does not meet the dimensions, it is up to the team itself to move the raft from the construction site to the starting area.

The moving times for each team are:

Starting number

1-25
26-50
51-75
76-100
101-120

Time

9:00
9:50
10:40
11:30
12:20

If the team has rented equipment from us, they should go to the barn (located on Polacksbacken) immediately after the raft is moved and packed to pick it up.

It isIt is VERY IMPORTANT that all teams are on time! Otherwise, the team will have to transport their raft to the starting area themselves.

For questions about the raft transportation, please contact the logistics manager Penina Thell at flytt@forsranningen.utn.se.

LEt's go!
starting times
for Valborg

Early on Valborgs morning, it is time for all rafters to head to the starting area, which is located at Eddaspången along the Fyrisån river.

Once there, you start by registering your team at the secretariat where the entire team will be checked off and personal equipment handed in. Here you will also be offered breakfast for all of you who are going to run. Make sure to be on time! If you are late, there is a risk that you will start last or not run at all.

You can find your team's start number HERE.

Starting numer

1-15
16-30
31-45
46-60
61-75
76-90
91-105
106-120

Time

7:30
7.45
8:00
8:15
8:30
8:45
9:00
9.15

Shortly after 09:00 am a warm-up will be held by Campus 1477 to ensure that you are Shortly after 09:00 a warm-up will be held by Campus 1477 to ensure that you as a runner are warmed up for the run. At 10:00 the starting gun goes off and before you run down Fyrisån, it will be possible to take a lovely group photo with your team and fleet at the starting area.

Times to hand in the bag with personal belongings next to the secretariat (this will also be on signs in the starting area):

Starting number

1-30
31-60
61-90
91-120

Time

9:00
9:20
9:40
10:00

Questions regarding the start and the area should be sent to start@forsranningen.utn.se.

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