Frequently asked questions

– UPDATE: 20:00, Fri 3 June, Weather Notice for Participants –

Dear Participants,

Following on from our earlier communication, we’ve had another meeting with Safety Control and our Executive Committee this evening. Unfortunately it looks like the weather forecasts have worsened and we are forced to make some significant decisions for tomorrow.

As such, we have decided that we will not be able to start from the RCYC in Crosshaven. We are now planning for:

• All seaworthy boats that were going to start at the RCYC, will now start from Monkstown.
• Kayaks that were going to start at RCYC, will now start from either Passage West or Monkstown (to be confirmed)
• All seaworthy boats, kayaks and SUPs that were going to start at Monkstown, will now start at the Blackrock Pier.

Naturally this will involve a number of operational and logistical changes for everyone involved. For now, we ask that you prepare for a start in a different location as specified above. Boats/trailers already in the RCYC can stay there overnight and be moved in the morning. The locations of Saturday Registration (race pack pickups) will be confirmed asap.

Important: we will continue to monitor the weather and will meet again at 09:30 tomorrow morning. After we meet we will send out a final communication to confirm plans for tomorrow. We are hopeful that the forecast doesn’t deteriorate any further – fingers crossed!

At this stage we can imagine that some participants will decide not to race tomorrow. If this includes you, please could you let us know?

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we adapt to the changing weather. We will send out further details in relation to registration and launch points/times as soon as we have them.

Ocean to City Team

– Important Weather Notice for participants, Friday 3 June –

We’ve been monitoring the weather and at the moment we’re watching a weather system which forecasts East North Easterly gusts of up to 27 knots on Saturday afternoon.

Race Control has advised us to develop our contingency plans and we’ve had a dedicated Executive Meeting today to discuss same.

For participants starting from the RCYC in Crosshaven:

There is a strong likelihood that we will need to shorten and alter the courses to ensure safety of the fleet and at the same time guarantee a challenging, fun course for all our participants. Depending on conditions, the change could involve (Plan B) cancelling the Ocean Course, (Plan C) altering the City Course or (Plan D) diverting to what we know as the Rocky Island Course. We envisage that the starting point will remain the same. Such a change would involve a number of operational changes and we will make a decision on this as soon as possible.  Please note that Dragon Boats will be communicated with directly. 

For Participants starting from Monkstown:

Depending on how the weather predictions develop over the day, there is a possibility that we may need to change the start point for all Stand-up Paddle Boards and Sit-on top Kayaks, upriver to Blackrock. Again, such a change would involve a number of operational changes and we will let you know as soon as possible.

We are hoping that conditions for tomorrow will improve and will continue to monitor the weather. We will send out another update by 8pm this evening.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in the meantime. Please don’t reply to this email or ring the office at this stage – we will follow up with more information.

The Ocean to City Team

– Note: please note that the below information is subject to change. Participants will receive final details by email in the week before the race – 

Your Race Entry Details

• Accuracy: Please ensure to double-check the information at the bottom of the Active confirmation email for accuracy as these are the details which will determine your race class. Those who have failed to advise us of any changes will be eliminated from the prize categories.
• Complete: If you have not yet completed your entry contact the office at your earliest convenience. Incomplete entries will not be allowed to race.
• Changes: If you need to change anything to your entry, please let us know asap. The registration system does not allow participants to make changes themselves so all changes have to be emailed through to admin(@)oceantocity.com. Be particularly aware of any changes that might alter your racing class (e.g. age, crew gender, boat types). All boat types will be verified before launch and late changes to crews, craft etc. must be recorded before the race.

2022 Race Start

The provisional first start time from Crosshaven is 14:30. Boats will start to arrive at the finish line around 16:15. The race time limit is at 19:00.

Registration

• Ocean & City Courses: Registration will first open on the Friday before the race from 16:00 – 20:00 at the RCYC in Crosshaven. We encourage anyone who can register and collect their race pack on Friday, to do so. On Saturday we will open registration 11:00-13:00 at the RCYC. A mandatory Participant Safety Briefing will also be given at 12:30. Your race pack will contain: Course map & instructions, recovery information, orange flag, regulations and general information.
• Monkstown Course: Participants starting from Monkstown have to register at the Monkstown slip, between 13:30-14:30, on the Saturday of the race. A mandatory Participant Safety Briefing will also be given there before the race. This means that it is not needed for Monkstown participants to travel to Crosshaven.

Please note that it is your responsibility to advise us of any changes in your entry. Those who have failed to advise us of any changes may be eliminated from the prize categories.

Boat & trailer parking: 

Before the race:

• Crosshaven – at the Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC): Open Friday until 21:00. Saturday open from 09:00 (TBC)
• Monkstown: please note that this is a public slip without secured boat storage. We advise participants to not leave their boats unattended.
• Cork city – Horgan’s Quay: Friday 3 June 18:00-22:00.

After the race: 

Either at your accommodation or at the dedicated parking area in Cork city (exact location TBC), which opens:

• Friday 3 June: 18:00-22:00
• Saturday 4 June: All Day
• Sunday 5 June as follows (due to Cork City Marathon being on):
  • Before 7:30: Cars and trailers can get to or leave Horgan’s Quay before 07:30 on Sunday, before any of the Marathon road closures kick in.
  • 7:30 – 10:00: There won’t be any possibility of getting to or from Horgan’s Quay between 07:30 and 10:00 in the morning.
  • 10:00 – 12:00: Cars and trailers can leave Horgan’s Quay and travel along St. Patrick’s Quay and Camden Quay; turn right onto the Watercourse Road and straight out to the North Ring Road/R635. By 12:00 on Sunday all boats and trailers need to be removed.

Full instructions for Horgan’s Quay Trailer Parking can be downloaded here.

Launch & Recovery

• Launch RCYC: Crews are welcome to launch their boats at the big slip in front of the Dinghy Hut in the RCYC from Friday morning onwards. Note: There is no crane available at the start. The big slip facilitates enough space to launch from your trailer. Our Launch Coordinator will be present from 16:00-20:00 and on Saturday morning in case of any questions. For Monkstown, please note that this is a public slip without secured boat storage. We advise to arrive with your boat on the morning of the race and follow instructions from our Monkstown Coordinator.
• Recovery: At the finish line our team of volunteers will be working hard to get every boat recovered as fast as possible. With over 200 boats to recover, we would ask for your patience. Our volunteers will endeavour to get your boats recovered as quickly as possible. Boats will be recovered by the Doyle’s Shipping crane- due to logistics it is likely that the largest boats will be lifted out last. Kayaks will  be recovered from the Cork City Marina.
• More detailed recovery instructions will be included in your Race Packs which you pick up at Registration, or can be downloaded here.

How to best time your arrival in 2022

If you are arriving on the Friday, we would recommend to:

1. Register at the RCYC in Crosshaven between 16:00-20:00
2. Offload your trailer and launch your boat between 16:00-20:00 so that you can time it perfectly and…
3. Park your trailer overnight at the Cork city centre trailer parking area at Horgan’s Quay in Cork City before 22:00 (please ensure that you lock your trailers)
4. . You can then avail of the Crew Bus on Saturday morning (for pre-bookings only).

Crew Buses (ticket sales have now closed)

• To Crosshaven: Special Crew Buses will be organised to run from Cork’s Albert Quay to the RCYC in Crosshaven on race day for those who have already left their boats at the start. This bus will leave at 11:00 and arrive in time for the mandatory Safety Briefing at 12:30.
• To Monkstown: We will also organise a minibus to the Monkstown Start, leaving from Albert Quay in Cork (outside the Idle Hour Pub, departing at 13:15
• Tickets cost €6 pp and need to be purchased through participants’ own Active account. Simply sign in to your account on https://www.active.com/ and click on My Events > click on Ocean to City Race > click on ‘purchase merchandise’.  Bus Tickets are available under additional purchases / merchandise in the Ocean to City event until Monday 30 June 2022 (inclusive).
• Anyone who purchased bus tickets will receive a separate email with instructions on what they need to board the bus.

Mandatory Safety Briefing

There will be a mandatory and detailed safety and course briefing before the race start. A member of every crew (captain or cox) must attend this Safety Briefing and a sign-in sheet will record signatures. Crews who have not attended the Safety Briefing will not be permitted to launch or race.

• Crosshaven (RCYC Dingy Hut): 12:30
• Monkstown (Sand Quay slip): 15:15

2022 Race Start

The provisional first start time from Crosshaven is 14:30. Boats will start to arrive at the finish line around 16:15. The race time limit is at 19:00.

De-registration

Please assist us to ensure everyone’s safety by de-registering as soon as you have finished the race. De-registration is an important record for us that participants have finished and are safely ashore. The de-registration tent will be located at the top of the Cork City Marina. Paddlers are strictly required to return the special bibs as they are on loan from Canoeing Ireland. Post-race showers are available for €6 pp at the Clayton Hotel, between 5-6pm. Pre-booking essential: 021 4224 994 / corkcity@clubvitae.com.

Race Regulations

For full Race Regulations, please check here.

Prize Giving 2022

Will take place at 20:30 in the Clayton Hotel, Lapp’s Quay.
Important: Due to the tides and later finish time (19:00), this year’s Prize Giving will be shorter and sooner than usual. We are still awarding the full range of Prizes after the Race, however, only a small selection will be presented at the Prize Giving Ceremony. Full details can be found here https://oceantocity.com/prizes/ 

Updated & important: Required Safety Equipment for participating craft

All boats must present themselves to a designated inspector for inspection and will be cleared to race only after receiving an appropriate Safe Craft Tag on race day. They are required to have:

• 20ft towline, securely attached to boat
• two 2l bailers
• a knife/multitool
• PFDs for all crew
• drinking water
• sun protection
• a clearly displayed race number
• mobile phone
• orange flag (in race pack)
• kayaks: expedition/unlimited kayaks are required to have spray decks fitted

Don’t forget…

• Prepare for up to 4 hours on the water, with appropriate protection for the elements. Conditions can change on the open water, and protection from both cold, wind and sun is recommended: sunscreen, rain gear, layered clothing, hat/cap, shades, etc.
• Bring at least 2 litres of drinking water per person as well as food
• Ensure that you bring ALL of the required Safety Equipment for boats listed above.
• All crew members must wear a suitable PFD at all times while afloat/near the water or the crew will be disqualified (PFD belt packs not permitted)
• Covid-19: It is the responsibility of each participant to take the necessary precautions to limit the spread of Covid-19.
• It is the responsibility of each competing crew to ensure that their craft is seaworthy for the area and the forecast conditions. All boats must present themselves for inspection on race day.
• Retiral/rescue: participants must report to a Shore Safety Point if they retire; if rescued, participants will not be permitted to continue racing.
• Rules of racing: participants must go through gates; gates are integral to the course and to safety; overtaking boats must keep clear of boats they are passing; boats being overtaken must hold their course; participants must not wash hang. Participants that do not pass through gates will be automatically disqualified.
• Detailed rules and regulations can be found here.

Participant Events – join the FUN!!

• You’re invited to our Pre-race Gathering ”A Taste & Song of Cork” from 18:30-20:30 in the Idle Hour Pub, on Friday 3 June. Gather with other crews and our host club Naomhóga Chorcaí to get the inside tips on the race, the courses and the harbour. A warm welcome to our visiting participants, with traditional Irish music and free food tasters from Cork.
• Join the ”Apres Row” After Party directly after the prize giving, at 21:30 on 4 June at the Idle Hour & Goldberg pubs on Albert Quay. Unwind after the tough race and celebrate your achievements with live music, food, a cold drink, the ‘Alternative Prize Giving’ and lots of craic. It’s not to be missed! Hosted by Naomhóga Chorcaí.
• Make it colourful: We’ve usually have over 200 boats taking part and encourage all participants to join the party! Hoist a flag in the stern of your boat, come along in fancy dress or paint your own crew battle-stripes on your face. The more colour the better!
• Race Day Festivities – Saturday 4 June, from 13:30 onwards at Passage West, Cobh, Blackrock and the Finish Line in Cork City: Join the party in the harbour with balloon modelling, drummers, picnics, live commentary, music, craic and more! Details on corkharbourfestival.com
• Prize Giving Ceremony: 20:30 in the Clayton Hotel, 4 June.
• Cork Harbour Festival: Ocean to City is the flagship event of the Cork Harbour Festival, taking place 3 – 13 June 2022 with over 50 different maritime events. Details on corkharbourfestival.com