Each competitor is required to carefully read the following document in full, and check the box on the entry form to acknowledge that they have read and understood every part of it, and accept its requirements completely and unconditionally.
By entering this competition, you acknowledge that you have sufficient understanding and experience of the sport of stand up paddleboarding, and are in sufficiently good health and proper physical condition to participate in the races and divisions that you have chosen to enter.
You understand that participating in paddle sports can involve risk and dangers of damage to personal property and serious bodily injury, including permanent disability or even death. These risks and dangers may be caused by your own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the activity, or the condition in which the activity takes place. You fully assume the risks and responsibilities associated with such participation and your own wellbeing during the event.
You understand that the decision to hold a race does not guarantee that the conditions are safe for your skill level or chosen vessel. You must personally assess the water and weather conditions before your race and make your own decision as to whether to participate in this event. You agree and warrant that if at any time you believe conditions to be unsafe for your ability, you will immediately notify the nearest official and discontinue further participation in the event.
You certify that you are a competent swimmer, your equipment is fully functional and in good order, and you will wear a leash for the duration of your race, as is required in the event rules.
You authorise your name, voice, picture, video & information supplied in your entry to be used by the event organisers and sponsors without payment to you in any broadcast, telecast, promotion, advertising, or any other way pursuant to the Privacy Act 1993. You understand and accept that your details will be added to the event databases & you may be contacted in regards to next year’s event and other matters relating to the Triple Crown series of events.
You acknowledge that in the event of any “act of God” conditions causing a cancellation of your race, your entry fee is not transferable or refundable.
You understand and agree that situations may arise during the event, which may be beyond the immediate control of officials or organisers, and you must continually participate in a manner that does not endanger either yourself or others.
You consent to receiving medical treatment in the event of illness or injuries suffered during the event.
You acknowledge that neither the organisers, the sponsors nor other parties associated with the event (including contractors and suppliers & their staff or representatives) shall have any liability or responsibility, financial or otherwise, for any risk incident that might arise, whether or not by negligence, from any direct or indirect damage, loss, injury or death that might be sustained by you or any other party directly or indirectly associated with you, from your intended or actual participation in the event or its related activities.
You agree to comply with the rules, regulations and event instructions of the event organisers, and to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions of participation.
You acknowledge that safety is the #1 consideration throughout, and should you encounter any situation where another competitor requires your assistance for reasons of wellbeing and/or safety, you will cease racing and provide that assistance.
Those are the important bits that you need to acknowledge on the entry form. Here are the rest of the event rules
The one big over-riding rule for this event is DO NOT COME WITH YOUR SERIOUS HAT ON. Anyone getting arsy about anything will be asked to leave, end of story. The organisers are not doing this for the money, they simply want to put on some good fun racing that everyone can enjoy. There are no national titles at stake, nothing other than fun bragging rights and enjoying some great racing in good scenery.
There is not going to be a protest committee, but in the general spirit of being nice decent people and ensuring everyone has the maximum fun, we ask that the normal racing rules are obeyed, which – in no particular order – are as follows:
Entries and Entry Fees
Entry fee is $25 per race, or $60 if signing up for all three races. $20 per race or $50 total for youths, students and pensioners.
Fees paid with a credit card get hit an extra 3% to cover the credit card charges.
Entry fees can be refunded in special circumstances, up until 7 days prior to the event.
If the event is cancelled more than 24 hours prior to the first event, entry fees will be refunded. In the event of any “act of God” conditions causing a cancellation of a race or races during the actual event, entry fees are not transferable or refundable.
Entries will close at 5pm Friday. There will be no entries on the day. Please enter beforehand using the online entry system!
All paddlers are required to wear an appropriate leash when racing. (This one is because a) it’s good safety policy, and b) it’s the LAW!)
Safety Rules
A paddler can be withdrawn from a race at any time at the discretion of the Race Director, safety officer, surf life saver or other race officials, if they consider it necessary for safety reasons. Their decision is final. There will be no refunds for paddlers who are withdrawn or disqualified from a race by race officials, under any circumstances.
All race paddlers are responsible for their own hydration and nutrition requirements to combat fatigue and dehydration.
Paddlers competing in a race who are unable to complete the course are responsible for informing the event and safety staff.
If you are not comfortable with the conditions on the day it is your responsibility to make the decision whether to race or not.
All paddlers are expected to participate in the spirit of the event. You will be disqualified if, in the Race Director’s opinion, you engage in any unnecessary physical contact or unsportsmanlike conduct.
General Racing Rules
Warm ups are not allowed on the race course if there are heats/racing taking place.
Racers must promptly clear the water when directed by race management.
Single blade paddle to be used.
Paddlers should do their very utmost to complete the course in a standing position . Paddlers starting or remounting after a fall may take a maximum 5 strokes on their knees to gain momentum before standing up. This 5-stroke rule is to prevent paddlers attempting to achieve an advantage by paddling from a kneeling position in difficult conditions. Racers who contravene this rule may be given a 3 placing penalty per infraction at the conclusion of the race.
Paddlers must follow the designated set course.
No extraneous aids are allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, swim fins, engines, wind catching devices [i.e.: sails, baggy clothing, etc.] and personal support teams. No twin or multi-hulled boards allowed (i.e.: catamarans, outriggers etc).
Wetsuits and hats (sun protection) are permissible.
Paddlers are required to have an official mark / race vest and / or race number, which must remain on the individual throughout the event. No paddler shall be recorded as a finisher unless carrying the official mark / wearing the official vest and / or number.
Drafting
Drafting is permissible within your race class and gender. No drafting will be allowed outside your class or gender. Drafting infringements will be decided by the Race Director, including the option to relegate the paddler up to three positions below their final result. A warning may be given by race staff on the course at their discretion. A paddler will be deemed drafting when within 1 metre of the tail, or sides of another paddler or any water craft on the race course for more than 10 seconds, unless the boundaries of the course makes it practically impossible to take any other route (see below).
When there is a combined male and female start, either sex will be given 500 meters from the start to clear each other’s draft.
If the boundaries of a race course do not allow paddlers to get outside of the drafting zone then no drafting rules will apply at that time.
A paddler must make an effort to exit the drafting zone immediately when boundaries allow.
Examples of natural boundaries include rocks, canals, submerged objects, bridges and vessels.
Paddlers will be disqualified for drafting any water craft on the racecourse that is not in the same class or gender.
Interference or any form of unsportsmanlike conduct is not allowable and will lead to disqualification. Paddlers must compete in a sportsmanlike fashion and avoid collision at all times. Specific violations include (but are not limited to):
- Blocking (Whereby a leading paddler changes their line intentionally to block the path of an overtaking paddler)
- Paddling interference and/or deliberate physical contact
- Purposely obstructing or interfering with another paddler
- Causing damage or bodily harm to another paddler or their equipment
- Use of profane language toward any persons or paddler during the event
- Not rounding a mark or completing the specified course
- Deliberate failure to avoid a collision
Penalties for violations of the rules and/or unsportsmanlike conduct by a paddler that is listed in this document or that is posted by the race director on the Official notice board include:
- Relegation (paddler is penalised places in their race)
- Disqualification from the race
- Disqualification from the event.
Decisions of the Race Director will be final and binding.
We really don’t want any protests – this is not what these races are about. But if someone commits such a heinous act of cheating, unfairness or agression that it simply cannot go unchallenged, then tell us about it as soon as your race has finished, and bring some witnesses or evidence if at all possible. Protests will be handled by the Race Director based on actual interference and impeding progress, fairness and sportsmanship criteria.
Race officials shall have the ultimate and final authority to remove a paddler from the race if the paddler is judged to be physically incapable of continuing the race without the risk of injury.
Each entrant must sign the indemnity declaration on the Entry Form before the event. If under 18, the parent or guardian must sign.
The organizers reserve the right to reject or cancel any entry