RULES OF RACING
General: The dragon boat races shall be under the supervision and control of the Chief Race Official who shall retain authority over all matters related to racing.
Race Division – There are four divisions
Community mixed division. This division is reserved for local teams with little to no practice or race experience. All local teams will be offered one practice during the week leading up to the race.
Sport mixed division. This division is reserved for teams who practice and race on a regular basis. Practice slots may be available for traveling teams on the Friday evening before the race for all race division.
BCS division. Reserved for Breast Cancer Survivors.
Sport women. This division is reserved for teams comprised of all female paddlers.
Team Composition: All crews in the community mixed division may have a maximum of 16 paddlers. Crews must have an equal number of male and female paddlers; this does not include the drummer or steersperson.
All crews in the sport mixed divisions may have a maximum of 20 paddlers. Crews must have an equal number of male and female paddlers; this does not include the drummer or steersperson.
All crews in the BCS divisions may have a maximum of 20 paddlers. All paddlers must be BCS/ACS survivors; this does not include the drummer or steersperson.
All crews in the sport women’s divisions may have a maximum of 20 paddlers. All paddlers must be female; this does not include the drummer or steersperson.
The drummer and steersperson for any crew may be male or female.
The minimum for any crew is 10 paddlers, a drummer, and a steersperson.
The minimum age for a participant is 16 years old.
Safety: All participants must wear a certified PFD (Personal Flotation device). Personal PFD’s may be used so long as it is US Coast Guard Approved. Inflatable PFD’s may be worn; however, they must be worn in the proper manner, the flotation pouch must be facing forwards and the belt must be securely attached.
All participants are strongly discouraged from taking any kind of valuable or electronic device on board with them as there is a possibility of these items getting wet or lost from paddling or during capsize. The race organizers are not responsible for ANY lost items.
Unless absolutely necessary and under the control of the coach, it is strictly forbidden for a paddler to stand up in the boat for risk of capsizing (especially at the finish of a race).
The risk of capsizing it elevated when teams celebrate in the boat after crossing the finish line. Any team capsizing or coming close to capsizing due to over celebration after the race may receive a time penalty or disqualification.
Any participant not deemed fit to race by any staff, race committee member, or volunteer will be asked to sit out. Not deemed fit to race may include excessive alcohol consumption, dehydration, bodily injuries, disrespecting officials, other participants, or staff.
Any participants injured or who become ill during the race are to report to medical staff immediately. If the condition is serious, medical staff may restrict a participant from continuing in the race. Their decision is final.
Racing: Teams in the community mixed division will race three times on a 200-meter racecourse. This includes two heats and one final. The fastest of the two heat times will be used to place teams into the finals. All teams will race their first two heats before the lunch break. During the lunch break the race officials will create the race program for the finals. The top three times per division will race in the ‘A’ final, the next three times in the ‘B’ final and so forth.
Teams in the BCS, sport mixed, and women’s division will race a minimum of three times. Teams will race 2 x 200m to qualify for finals, and one 200m Knockout final. In the knockout final teams will race 200m with the slowest team being eliminated. The remaining teams return to the start line and again the slowest team is “knocked out”. This is repeated until two boats race for first and second place.
The starting procedure shall be “all Paddlers Ready”, followed by “Attention Please”, followed by a shot or air horn. Any team caught false starting will receive a time penalty. The starter may at anytime change the start procedure if they deem it necessary. For example, the starter may skip the “all paddlers ready” and jump straight to “attention please”.
All crews must remain in their lane for the duration of the race. Leaving your assigned lane may result in a time penalty at the discretion of the chief race official.
Etiquette: All participants are expected to treat the officials, organizers, volunteers, their fellow competitors, and spectators with respect. Any abuse of this fact witnessed during the festival is to be reported to the organizing committee who will review the situation and take appropriate action that may include expulsion of a participant or crew from the festival.
All crews are expected to respect the rules and regulations of racing and the judgment of the officials. Un-sportsmanlike towards the officials in this regard may bring about further penalty and risk disqualification the infracting crew.
Awards: Gold, silver, and Bronze medals will be awarded to the top three teams from the Grand Final in all four race divisions (Community, Sport Mixed, Sport Women, and BCS).
