1. All participants must be able to swim a distance of at least 50 yards and be prepared to provide evidence if required.
  2. All participants must be over 16 years of age.
  3. All Tin Baths must be fitted with a marker buoy attached by means of a ten-foot line to aid recovery, see footnote (i).
  4. Paddles may be of a single or double bladed type but must be hand held and not attached to the Tin Bath, nor exceed 5 feet in length.
  5. A Tin Bath
      • (a)  Shall be wholly of metal construction
      • (b) Shall not exceed 5 feet in length
      • (c) Shall not exceed in 16 inches in height at any point see footnote (ii)
      • (d) Shall be single hulled
      • (e) Shall have no alteration or addition to the shape of the hull other than that referred to by the rules
      • (f) Shall be of standard manufacture and not constructed for the specific purpose of racing.
  1. One outrigger must be attached to each bath, behind the Helmsman, on top of the bath.
  2. Outriggers shall be attached to Tin Baths by rope of similar bindings and not by bolt, screw, weld, tape or other such permanent bindings.
  3. An outrigger
      • (a) Shall be of wood construction only
      • (b) May extend on both sides of the Tin Bath
      • (c) Shall not exceed 3 feet in length, 3 inches in width, or 3 inches in depth.
  1. Buoyancy floats, not exceeding two per Tin Bath, must be attached to the outrigger or the Tin Bath by friction (container handle wedged over end of outrigger), cord or similar non-permanent means
  2. A buoyancy float
      • (a) shall not exceed 5 litres capacity.
      • (b) Shall have no dimensions exceeding 12 inches i.e Be so proportioned that it could be enclosed within a 12 inch cube , see footnote (iii)
  3. The organisers shall not be held responsible for damage to the Tin Baths, equipment or injury to participants & property.
  4. Participants will be allowed to continue after sinking provided they do not receive assistance in any form.
  5. The winner will be first to finish the course or the one covering the greatest distance.
  6. Any person guilty of foul play shall be disqualified.
  7. Participants must produce their Tin Baths for inspection by the scrutinisers on the date stated in the notices to competitors which will be sent out later.
  8. The same Tin Bath cannot be used for the Men’s and Lady’s race or by different competitors in different heats.
  9. The team event is for teams of three or four baths with three to count. The teams to be nominated when returning the entry forms and cannot be changed after that date
  10. The organiser’s decision on all matters shall be final.

TIN BATH FOOTNOTES

  • For safety reasons the line should be attached behind helmsman
  • Allowance will be made, at the discretion of the scrutinisers, for superstructures in the form of decoration of novelty design provided that such superstructure does not increase buoyancy proportions.
  • 5 litre plastic or metal containers supplied with drinks, oil, detergents etc are ideal for this purpose.

If competitors need to change there are changing rooms situated in the Castle Grounds.

Please be aware that under NO CIRCUMSTANCES are any pyrotechnics allowed to be used during Tin Bath Racing. Failure to comply could result in prosecution.

There is now a £5 entry fee for this event per person; proceeds will go to the CADS for charitable distribution.

You can still collect for your charity of choice and we would love to hear who you are donating to; however, PLEASE, there is STRICKLY NO BUCKET SHAKING ALLOWED WITHIN THE MIDDLE HARBOUR OF CASTLETOWN ON TIN BATH DAY.

If you cannot take part please call BORIS KITCHING on 481539 so that any reserve paddlers can compete.

  1. All races will be held in the Middle Harbour, Castletown
  2. The Pit Area and Race Control will be the slip way in the Middle Harbour.
  3. SCRUTINEERING WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY 13th SEPTEMBER 2025 BETWEEN 10:30AM AND 12:30PM AT ST MARYS’ ON THE HARBOUR CAR PARK. ALL COMPETITORS MUST REPORT FOR SCRUTINEERING AT THIS TIME AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RACE IF THEY FAIL TO DO SO.
  4. The races will be held in two heats and a final- a draw being made for the heats with 32 to go in the final, 16 form each heat. There will be a separate race for the ladies with no heats.
  5. THE HEATS COURSE for the mens’ heats will be down to the footbridge, returning back up the harbour and finishing through the arches of the catwalk.
  6. THE FINAL COURSE for the Mens Final will be from the start line at the catwalk, down the harbour to Island 1 around it clockwise, then to Island 2, and around it anticlockwise, then proceed to a marker at the footbridge, returning back up the harbour and finishing through the Arches of the catwalk.
  7. THE LADIES RACE The ladies race will be down to the footbridge, returning back up the harbour and finishing through the arches of the catwalk.
  8. IMPORTANT If a competitor sinks he/she must in no way interfere with the other baths.
  9. In the event of bad weather, it will be broadcast on Manx Radio if there is a need for postponement.
  10. Prizes will be awarded to the first three men in the final, a Mens’ team prize, Ladies winner and Ladies team prize. The Rothmans Trophy will be awarded to the best turned out Novelty bath. Prizes will be presented after the event.
  11. It is important that non-qualifiers for the final ensure that their baths are removed from the slipway after each heat as soon as possible and MUST NOT be returned to the church car park.
  12. Your bath MUST be numbered on both sides, BEFORE scrutineering with the correct number. Numbered bibs will be provided on the day and MUST be returned to the scrutineers on the day.
  13. Your race number for the event will be provided to you

The first heat will start at approximately 3.00pm whether you are there or not, so please be on time and make the day run smoothly. Remember that this is a FUN EVENT!