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We appreciate volunteers!!! Your participation is vital in making this event a success. And you can be a part of something good for the community, good for the river, and good for yourself. Here is where we can use your help!
Practice Week
Help check teams in. Collect rosters and signed waiver forms. Set up and put away equipment (paddles and PFDs). Give instructions on loading and unloading the boat. Make sure all equipment is accounted for and not “lost.”
Race Day
Greet incoming spectators, teams and vendors and direct them to the proper location. Assist in the marshal area: collect liability waivers, issue wristbands to eligible paddlers and drummers. Call for teams to assemble 30 minutes prior to their race, based on the order of the heats. (This essential job needs a volunteer with a commanding voice who is quick and efficient). Assist with dock traffic, pushing off boats and guiding them back in after a race. (To be part of the dock contingent, you need to be comfortable on a wooden platform that is occasionally moving (because of waves), and frequently wet, and be able to swim in case you fall in.) Help bail water out of boats if necessary. Make sure no equipment that is the property of the race organizer goes missing. Assist in parking and traffic pattern direction (vehicles exit past Marist College boathouse, through the tunnel and up the hill, follow internal college roads to Route 9 across from Home Depot Plaza). Results runner: transfer results from the finish line to the results display board.
All volunteers must be prepared to deal with the weather–rain or shine.
Motor Launch Drivers–Extremely Important:
We need 3 safety boats to be prepared for rescue operations, plus the Chief Official observing each race, plus possible other race organizer-required water transport. Depending on turnout and response to call for volunteers, this might involve several hours of time spent on the river. If you own a boat and are willing to serve in this capacity, please email the race coordinators at events@habitatdutchess.org !
Grounds Crews: It takes a lot of attention to keep the grounds clean and organized. Many volunteers are needed to help with this critical task.
Let us know if you can help!