Goyt Race

• Division B & Open
• date: Saturday 13th February 2010
• race start: 2:00pm
• entries taken from 12.30pm

What is it?

The race is part of the national Whitewater Racing calendar, and also part of the Manchester Canoe Club Quinzaine series of competitions. It is a straight time trial down the Goyt, from below the horseshoe weir in Brabyn's Park, to the bottom rapid on the club site. Unless it is very high, it is suitable for anyone, and you can do it in any kind of boat, be it a Whitewater Racer, a slalom boat, general purpose boat, or even a playboat (though it would be hard work in a playboat). The race is approximately 15 minutes long, but this is dependent upon the water level and the boat used.

Description of the course

Race start is in Brabyn's Park, Marple Bridge. Drive into the park, and park in the car park on the left just inside the park. Entries will be taken here. The race will start below the second weir in the park.

The race starts with a couple of rapids before going under a white bridge. The river Etherow enters from the right, swelling the flow. A longer rapid follows leading to the viaduct and aqueduct. After the aqueduct pick a line down the next rapid to lead down to a natural weir which is broken on the left hand side. After this, the river flattens out and goes round a right hand bend to a small ledge weir on the left hand side of the river. In higher water, a shorter line can be taken on the right hand side of the river. The next drop on the left is best avoided, by finding a line between rocks on the right of the river. The water feeds back to the left of the river as you enter the looping bend rapid. This starts with a stopper followed by a series of standing waves on a left hand bend. Another short flat section leads to the top weir at the Manchester Canoe Club site. This is a natural ledge, with a break on the right hand side. Pass down the top and middle pool on the site, and the finish is on the rapid leading to the bottom pool, where the river takes a sharp left hand turn against a rock wall.

In low water levels, the start will be moved to below the first of the rapids mentioned above. In high water, the finish will be moved between the top and middle pools on the site, to avoid having to break out in the confused water of the bottom pool.