“Adventure Sports Week” Basic Rules of the Road...
These Rules are designed to set standards so that all athletes can participate and compete in a positive, fun and fair atmosphere. These rules are intended to promote and maintain sportsmanship and to protect the health, safety, and well being of participants, as well as protect the fabulous natural arena we get to “play” in! While some of the specifics don’t apply to every race, the spirit of the rules apply to all.
General:
For the AR competitions, each team will be provided with Maps, Passport and Passport Instructions in the pre-race meeting… be there!
Pre-race meetings are mandatory for all races.
Event Management reserves the right and authority to alter or change the course, route and stages of the race/event at any time do to a real or perceived threat to the safety of the participants.
Support:
The races are “semi-supported:” You may bring a support team if you choose, and we may choose to assist teams with equipment as required by the course design.
Racing Bibs and numbers:
All competitors must wear their official Racing Bib or assigned number as their top layer, from start to finish. Also, AR Racers, ALL kayak and bike gear MUST be numbered at all times. Please bring bungee cords to attach your paddles, PFDs etc to your boats, in case they end up moving on you… :)
Gear Checks:
There will be a mandatory gear check upon check in, and teams may (read: WILL) be subjected to a gear-check along the route. It is the teams’ responsibility to oblige the Race Official in a timely and civil manner. We'll try to make usre we don't hold you up for too long! :)
Hydration/Nutrition:
We may have aid stations, but all participants are required to be self-sufficient and therefore you are responsible for your hydration and nutrition.
Course-Route:
While navigation and route selection will be very important, competitors are required to follow any marked routes when designated. Certain roads, trails and streets will be off-limits, and teams caught using these routes will be penalized or disqualified, so don't risk it! (We have spies everywhere!)
Garbage/Trash:
Leave no trace! One of our main goals is to be a “Zero Impact” event.
Cut off time:
Cut off times may be enforced in extreme circumstances, depending on weather and safety concerns, though we fully intend to allow you to “race it out,” especially if you are part of the “Crux and Crucible” combined race. Cut off locations and times will be provided to your team prior to the race start. A Race Official will notify any team that reaches a cut-off location after the official cut-off time. The Race Official will determine if a team may proceed as an “unofficial finisher” or be requested to return to the Start/Finish area. A teams’ finishing time will be the time from the Official Race Start to the time all team members cross the finish line. There will also be cutoff times for the Deepwater Ultra events.
Passports and Check points:
For the AR events, each team will be provided with a Passport. Passports are to be presented to Race Officials upon request. Be prepared to keep them dry… this will be an issue! :) Competitors will travel from CP to CP requiring navigation, orienteering and route finding skills. Teams are required to present their Passport to Race Officials when appropriate. CP’s must be acquired as noted in the Passport Instructions. There will be both manned and unmanned CP’s. Teams missing a mandatory CP will have the opportunity to acquire the CP prior to finishing, if under the cutoff time.
Team “Togetherness:”
Teams are required to stay within 100 meters or 10 seconds of each other (whichever is more) at all times. Teams not in compliance will be subject to a time penalty or disqualification. You MUST cross the finish line together. Hey, a team race is about the team… just stay together!
Water safety:
You are required to wear a Coast Guard approved P.F.D. flotation at all times while kayaking, and you MUST have a whistle attached to your PFD!
Timing:
We are working on securing GPS timing for the AR events, and other electronic timing for the other events. You will be responsible for activating, securing and returning any and all timing pieces. For the cyclists, you MUST pass over the timing mat on each lap to receive credit. For relay teams, you will be responsible for passing the timing chips to your teammates at each exchange point. A lost chip will cost you $50!!
Penalties:
A time penalty or even disqualification may be imposed for a violation of any of the Event Rules. In the event that a team is assessed a time penalty, the time penalty shall be served by the Team prior to crossing the finish line, if under 30 minutes. Time penalties shall be cumulative and a team may be assessed more than one time penalty for violations of the same rule. Penalty times range from 10 to 120 minutes, or even (gulp!) disqualification for serious or repeat offences.