FAQs

Can I register after Thurs., Aug. 13?

No. We will be finalizing heats and launch times Fri., Aug. 14. A final heat sheet will be emailed to all registered participants on Saturday. Here’s the sign up link. 

What time should I be there on Sun., Aug. 16?

Rowers: At 7 am there will be a mandatory cox meeting at the registration tent to review the course, launch/landing instructions and safety protocols. Call for the first race is at 7:30 with the first race at 8 am. Paddlers: At 8:30 there will be a mandatory meeting at the registration tent for all paddlers, with the first race at 9:30 am. The last paddlers race is after noon. If you miss this meeting, please let the pirates at the registration tent know and they’ll fill you in on the course, etc. 

What should I expect when bringing my own equipment?

Standley Lake is a drinking watershed for three cities, so keeping the invasive zebra mussels at bay is a priority. All crafts, paddles/oars, life jackets, basically anything that touches the water must be thoroughly sprayed with warm water at the spray station just to the right within the north gate. The water temperature does not damage even the most primadonna of hulls. The spray station is on a first-come first-served basis and the line can be lengthy. Please allow up to 45 minutes to have your craft and other gear removed from your vehicle, sprayed down and tagged. You can enter as early as Saturday for the spray down and store your vehicle/trailer in the unsecured parking lot. 

Can I rent a SUP or kayak?

Yes, and you’ll avoid the spray station. Rocky Mountain Paddleboards will rent SUPs, kayaks and double kayaks for $15/heat or $20/multiple heats. Please reserve your craft in advance so that we have enough for everyone. You must also pay the Swashbuckler entry fee with the city on or before Thurs., Aug. 13 to participate. 

Do I have to pay the gate fee?

No. Give your name to the gate attendant who should have you on the participant list for free entry. 

Can I row the course before the scrimmage?

Yes. The buoys will likely be in place Fri., Aug. 14. Please follow a clockwise pattern after they’re installed. The course will be closed to all boat traffic Saturday at dusk. You may not row the course Sunday. Check the course map here. 

Where should I park?

Please check the parking map here. There will be a volunteer to help on Sunday morning. 

Can I camp at Standley?

Yes. Info here. 

Can I bring a cheering section?

Absolutely! They will need to stay on the far west beach, out of the way of the launch and return areas. Bring chairs and enthusiasm! 

How do I know when my heat is?

A heat sheet will be emailed to all registered participants on Fri., Aug. 14. An uphill dockmaster will announce heats 15 minutes before start time. You can launch then. 

When should I be prepared to launch?

15 minutes before your heat time. 

Can I participate in multiple heats?

Yes, your $35 registration fee covers all heats, however, you must let the race organizer know which heats you want to be in by Thurs., Aug. 13. We don’t want to have too many boats in a single heat, plus we need to leave enough time for you to complete one heat before starting another one. 

Can I paddle different kinds of crafts?

Yes. There are heats for Oarboards, kayaks, SUPs and rowers. You can row and SUP, kayak and SUP, row and paddle, as long as the heat timing works out. Check with the race organizer by Thurs., Aug. 13. 

Is there a warmup area?

At some times, which will be clearly marked on the heat sheet. Otherwise, the warmup area is closed due to safety issues so that rowers traveling in and out of the warmup area do not interfere with kayaks/SUPs racing. The dockmaster will tell you when you can enter the water and proceed to the warmup area. 

Can I jump into a heat I’m not registered in?

No. You will be asked to beach your boat. Like crafts are grouped together so that they finish at the same time, and most heats are full. There are two mashup heats before scheduled breaks where you can ask to race. During these heats, we allow disparate boat types. 

Is there a hotseating area?

Yes, on the beach west of the launch ramp. We’ve tried to keep schedule conflicts to a minimum so there shouldn’t be much hotseating. 

Can I leave my boat(s) in slings down by the launch area?

Space is limited. There is a bit of room on the dirt hill east of the launch area for boats that are in multiple heats. Please do not rig in this area or house boats here for any length of time. Oars can come down in the morning and be lined up on the east side of the ramp for the duration of the event. 

Are the heats timed?

No. We will ask that all boats in a heat approximate a fair start line, and then we’ll blow an air horn to begin racing. If you believe that you were the first to cross the finish line without missing any buoys and being an upstanding pirate, please tell the dockmaster. This is an honor system… for giant zucchinis. Nuff said. 

Will there be an awards ceremony?

Yes. Around noon, we’ll assemble at the registration tent to have photos taken with our pirate mascot, marvel at the zucchinis, applaud creative pirate hat crafters, pass out any swag we’ve managed to swindle and instigate other shenanigans. 

Can I bring a tent, chairs, food, my mom…?

All of the above! Kona Ice will be selling goodies. You and your mom might also bond over making pirate hats at the craft trailer. Hats will be judged and awarded what some consider prizes. PEAK will also have water, some snacks and helpful smiles. There are no food vendors in the park, so bring your own hardtack. 

Can I post my photos to a Google drive?

Please do! 

What happens if there is a medical emergency?

The registration desk has basic first aid. The nearby Nature Center can be reached at 303.425.1097.

Where are the restrooms?

A bit of a hike, but on the north end of the parking lot. Flush toilets, sinks. Not luxurious but pirate-worthy. Map

Who do I contact for questions?

Before race day: scrimmage@peakrowing.orgOn race day: Visit the registration tent. 

Do I have to have a pfd?

Yes, please bring your own as we do not have enough to share. You must have the pfd in the boat, but you don’t have to wear it. 

What do I do when I get to Standley on Sunday morning?

Check in at the registration tent and make sure your heat time is accurate. 

Can I volunteer even if I’m not racing?

Yes! And bless you! Reach out to scrimmage@peakrowing.org, or talk to the pirates at the registration tent. 

I have thoughts. Who do I contact about them?

Please send feedback to scrimmage@peakrowing.org. We’ll also send a survey out after the scrimmage. Help us make the pirate party even saltier!