Pit Crew Guide
Each canoe must have a pit crew to provide them with fluids, nourishment, and encouragement throughout the 70-mile race course. It is an exciting job, but not an easy one. It is very physically taxing.
You need a minimum of 1-2 people to help pit each canoe. The job begins preferably a few days before the race. This allows the pit crew to practice a pit with the canoe team and also to refer to maps and learn the course, especially, if not familiar with it.
Arrive the morning of the race a minimum of 1 hour before the start with the paddlers. You may help the paddlers carry their canoe and equipment to Brookwood Point, as you may have to park a ways from the start.
Make sure paddlers apply sunscreen to all exposed areas. Use 30 UVA/UVB all day waterproof protection. It will be a long day. Be sure each paddler has a hat, 2 paddles, a USCG approved lifejacket, whistle, a 1-2 litre jug of fluids, nourishment (i.e., GU, power gel, banana, etc.) and has applied canoe # to both sides of bow (front) of canoe.
Paddlers should provide Pit Crew with the following:
- Cooler with jugs on ice (each jug about 2 liters of fluid of Powerade, Gatorade, Exceed, Cytomax, Endurox, etc.). Plain water is not recommended alone because replacement of electrolytes is a necessity in this endurance race. It is a good idea to have water on hand for emergencies. Each jug should be labeled ahead of time (preferably, before adding fluids) with masking tape and a permanent marker. Each jug should have Paddler's name and place to receive jug (i.e., Start, Milford, Southside Dam, etc.). This makes life easier for pit crew and also can ensure if jug is lost in water, that the finder knows who to return the jug to later. Have 1 hose of each jug available in case other jugs are lost, and for cleanliness as hose may be dragged in river, mud, or left in bottom of canoe. Jugs are often a recycled 2 liter plastic soda bottle with a drilled cap for hose to fit and tape on each end of cap to keep hose from falling out of bottle. Typically, the hose is 6 foot long. The best soft hose costs 65 cents per foot. Make sure when giving jug that hose is not siphoning out! This can be avoided by blowing down into the hose until you hear a bubbling sound. Keep hose lose so it doesn't get tangled up.
- A list of items each Paddler wants at each pit and recommended pit site.
- Food items (i.e., bananas, Ensure/Boost, power bars, power gel, mixed fruit, GU, Nutragrain bars, etc.)
- Extra supplies: Life jacket, whistle, 1-3 paddles, duct tape.
A pit is recommended every 2 hours and, depending on the weather conditions, may be more; especially, if there is a hot day as in 1999 when it reached 92 degrees.
A pit can be done by land or by canoe. Whichever way you go, be sure to have extra clothes, footwear, and towels available. If you are lucky enough to have an extra canoe, paddles, and life jackets, and have the capability to paddle, then this is the way to go. This saves the paddlers time. Paddling to the shore and out of the current slows the team down. Most of the top pro teams all have water pits with canoe pitting facing upstream. To do so effectively, practice is recommended.
By land or wading into the water is the other option. This can be touchy in some areas. Be aware of fast currents and a quick drop in elevation. Watch other pitters if you are not sure where to stand and communicate with them so you don't get into each other's way.
DO NOT TOUCH PADDLES, CANOE, OR HELP THEM BY PUSHING THEIR CANOE, OR PICKING UP A PADDLE IF DROPPED