Paddler safety and progress

Emergency situation

Paddlers MUST assist any paddler in difficulty. If you fail to do so or to observe any safety regulation you will be disqualified.

Redress

The Race Committee will consider requests for redress from paddlers rendering assistance in an emergency.

Such requests must be made in writing to the Race Director within three hours of the paddler involved completing the Classic. This should state WHERE and WHEN the incident took place and details on any supporting witnesses. Adjustment of your time will then be considered.

Assistance

A competitor may not be accompanied along the course or assisted in any way by other craft not entered in the Classic or by any other vessel.

A competitor may receive assistance from landcrews. Such assistance is limited to first aid services, provision of food, drink and clothes, replacement of faulty equipment including paddles and help with repairs.

No exchange or substitution of craft or personnel is permitted in the Classic.

In the event of a capsize, a competitor may receive assistance emptying their boat and regaining their paddling position, but may not be progressed in any way.

Protests

Protests must be addressed in writing to the Race Director within three hours after the paddler completes or withdraws from the Classic.

It should state clearly which Race Rule has been infringed and give details supporting this accusation.

This must be lodged with the Checkpoint Official, accompanied by a $50 fee which will be refunded should the protest be upheld.

Withdrawals

Paddlers withdrawing must hand in their canoe number at the checkpoint of withdrawal. In the past, hours of unnecessary searching resulted when paddlers withdrew without notifying the checkpoint official. All craft must be accounted for before checkpoints can close down.

If paddlers withdraw between checkpoints, eg because of capsize or injury, the distance and time taken for results will be the time through the previous checkpoint.

Once a craft has withdrawn, it may not re-enter the Classic.

Swapping paddlers or craft

The Classic is not a relay race and swapping of paddlers, craft or altering craft throughout the night is not permitted. If paddlers or craft are swapped or if the craft is altered without the Race Directors permission the craft will be disqualified.

Landcrew

No entry will be accepted without a landcrew. Landcrew must agree to be available at the Start, Checkpoint D, Checkpoint I and the Finish to tend to their paddlers.

Landcrew may also meet their paddlers at optional major checkpoints A and O. Landcrew must be prepared to return from Finish to O should the race be shortened to this point.

Landcrew are not permitted access to minor checkpoints unless requested to do so by Race Officials. If landcrews do not obey this rule we risk losing that checkpoint site. Hence, breaching this rule will result in the disqualification of the landcrew’s paddlers.

Landcrew must always pick up their paddler as soon as possible after notification of withdrawal at an upstream minor checkpoint. Directions will be provided by checkpoint officials on request.

Landcrew are not permitted to meet paddlers outside official checkpoints. If this is reported by a race official the paddler will be disqualified.

Large groups are not exempt from these rules. With the agreement of the Race Director, a large group can have different landcrew at major checkpoints, provided the landcrew co-ordinator at each major checkpoint:

  • Reports to the checkpoint marshalls
  • Arrives with their support team well before the leading craft in the Classic
  • Remains with their support team until all their paddlers are accounted for at the following downstream checkpoint
  • Has access to sufficient vehicles to promptly collect and carry any paddler plus craft who has withdrawn at that checkpoint or the preceding upstream minor checkpoints
  • Carries enough spare clothes, food and blankets for all of their paddlers
  • Continually monitors the progress board for any message concerning their paddlers.

Minimum progress - Cut off times

No craft will be permitted to leave a checkpoint upstream from and including:

  • Checkpoint D (Sackville) after 11pm.
  • Checkpoint I (Wisemans Ferry) after 5.00am on Sunday.
  • Checkpoint O (Spencer) after 9:30am on Sunday.

Insurance

Hawkesbury Canoe Classic Association Inc. holds a Public Liability policy to cover itself as organiser, volunteers and public bodies. It does not cover competitors or landcrew for accidents whilst taking part in the event. We recommend that you take out your own personal accident insurance if you desire such cover for both the paddlers and landcrews.

The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic Association requires all participants and landcrew leaders to read and sign the event disclaimer / indemnity.

Disqualification

Paddlers who are disqualified are no longer considered to be part of the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic from the time of the disqualification. Disqualified paddlers will not have their time recorded, will not receive a finishing medal, are not eligible for recognition in class placing or fastest recorded time. There will be no refund of race fee or donation.