Race to the Castle

Locks & Portages

Along the route of Race To The Castle, you will need to prepare for the “Great Portages”

We have 5 locks you will need to navigate across, all with their own unique characteristics. We have prepared the following guide for you.

Our crew will be manning the locks, to show you where you need to exit and re-enter, to cheer you in, give you words of wisdom, encouragement, welfare check ins, first aid points and they are also a great place for your support crew to meet you, feed you and help with your portage strategy.

The section of the River Trent that our event takes place, is fully navigable. These locks are for boaters to go up and down river. This, along with Mother Nature, means water heights at the lock points can vary. At some locations, you need plan to exit the River using a lock ladder.

You will then “portage” and walk, no running with your board to the downriver side and re - enter the water. If you would like your own support crew to help you at the portages/locks that is fine by us. All paddlers must portage all locks. Going through the locks is not permitted.

Please familiarise yourself with all safety and rules regarding portages.

All paddlers must have familiarised themself with the published route, points and hazards ahead of event day.

Lock 1

Holme Lock (Cumulative distance 4.5km)

“The one near the whitewater course”

Exit

You will exit on the right of the river at the dock and steps and then walk down the bank to the steps.

Entry

You will re - enter the River down the steps.

Lock 1 Holme Lock
Lock 1 Holme Lock Exit
Lock 1 Holme Lock Portage/Walk
Lock 1 Holme Lock Re Enter

Lock 2

Stoke Lock (Cumulative distance 9.2km)

“The one with the walk”

Exit

You will exit the River on the Left Bank at the floating dock and then walk through the jungle.

Entry

You will re - enter the water at the beach.

Lock 2 Stoke Lock
Lock 2 Stoke Lock Exit
Lock 2 Stoke Lock Portage / Walk
Lock 2 Stoke Re Enter

Lock 3

Gunthorpe Lock & timed cut off point (Cumulative distance 16.7km)

“Get me to the beach”

Exit

This will be your first view of the “ladders”. You will exit on the Left of the river and walk to the beach and your cutoff checkpoint.

Entry

You will launch off the beach and paddle off.

Lock 3 Gunthorpe Lock
Lock 3 Gunthorpe Lock Exit
Lock 3 Gunthorpe Check Point
Lock 3 Gunthorpe Lock Re Enter

Lock 4

Hazleford Lock (Cumulative distance 24.3km)

“Stairway to heaven”

Exit

You will leave the river on the Right side. Depending on river heights this will be your epic ladder climb.

Entry

You will re enter down the steps.

Lock 4 Hazleford Lock
Lock 4 Hazleford Lock Exit
Lock 4 Hazleford Lock Re enter
The Ladders

Lock 5

Newark Town Lock ( Cumulative distance 37.5km)

“The final one, you’ll be able to see the castle from here”

Exit

You will exit the River on the Left side on the steps and make your walk across the metal foot bridge.

Entry

You will re - enter the river down the steps.

Lock 5 Newark Town Lock
Lock 5 Newark Town Lock Exit
Lock 5 Newark Lock Portage / Walk
Lock 5 Newark Town Lock Re entry

Paddler etiquette

* At the locks. The wave start time will help ease congestion at the locks, but we do ask of the support of the full R2TC Community of all paddlers to ensure the smooth and respectful exit & re - entries onto the River. Use these known points in your event strategy, take a rest, stretch, take something to eat.

* A reminder that we will be sharing the waterway and tow path at the start, finish and locks with members of the public and to follow all event directional signage. All portages will be keep right on the tow path and no running with boards. This will allow a safe shared space.