this is a summary - a signed entry form means you have
read understood and agree to abide by the full rules !!
Use this icon for copy of the rule sheet in Word format.
Use this icon for copy of the rule sheet in Adobe pdf format.
1. Every crew must have completed an official entry form, and paid
the appropriate entry fee, before they will be allowed to start.
2. All competitors must be comprehensive personal members of the
BCU or approved National Associations (Basic membership, or
membership of an affiliated club is not sufficient). Each paddler must
provide proof of such membership before he or she will be allowed to
start.
IF YOU CANNOT PROVIDE PROOF OF BCU
MEMBERSHIP YOU WILL HAVE TO BUY A DAY TICKET
ON RACE DAY (THE COST OF DAY TICKETS IS NOT
REFUNDABLE). DAY TICKETS COST £3.
3. BCU approved buoyancy aids are compulsory for all junior
paddlers (regardless of the class entered), and are strongly
recommended for all other paddlers. Failure to comply will result in
disqualification. Paddlers over 18 who do not wish to wear a bouyancy
aid can race in the senior classes. Buoyancy aids must be worn in the
K2J, K1J and JV classes.
4. All competitors must obtain their race number from Race Control
at the start of each race. The race number must be mounted vertically on
the boat throughout the race. Any boat which is not displaying a number
when it crosses the finishing line will not be timed. Race numbers must
be returned to Race Control at the finish of each race.
Age categories are as follows :-
Juniors must be aged under 19 on 1st January preceding the race.
Veterans must be aged over 35 on 1st January preceding the race.
K1 Veteran Masters must be aged over 50 on 1st January preceding
the race.
A crew qualifies for the Junior/Veteran class if one crew member is a
Veteran, and the other is a Junior.
Within the above restrictions, crews may choose which class to enter.
For instance a K2 crew who are both ladies under the age of 19, have the
choice of entering K2 Junior or K2 Ladies.
8. The members of the Team must be nominated before the
start of the Series, after which no changes to the membership of
the Team will be allowed. Crew pairings, within the nominated team
members, may change and K1s can race instead of K2s. In each race, 3
boats, paddled by nominated team members must finish to qualify for
the team event.
9. The Team time is calculated by adding up the times of the Team's
fastest three boats at each race.
10. Boats will be started at half minute intervals. Competitors may
start (or join the queue waiting to start) at any time within the time limits
published for each race, but it is the competitor's responsibility to ensure
that they complete the course before the Finish Control is closed. Any
competitor who starts or finishes after the stated times will not qualify for
any award.
11. Competitors and their support crews must comply with
instructions given by Race Officials in the written instructions, at the
pre-race briefing, or during the course of the race.
Failure to obey the instructions of a Race Official will result in a
TWO MINUTE PENALTY for each offence. For more serious
offences, competitors may be DISQUALIFIED. The Race Committee
has absolute discretion in such matters.
13. No outside assistance is to be given to any competitor, except for
minor feeding of crews, or for safety reasons.
14. The West Mills Swing Bridge on the western approach to
Newbury is a COMPULSORY PORTAGE. Crews must portage the
bridge on the right hand bank, then either paddle across the canal and
portage into the mill stream, or else paddle on to Newbury Lock and
portage the lock.
COMPETITORS WHO PORTAGE ACROSS THE BRIDGE
WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
Competitors who paddle under the bridge (or through the bridge
when it is open), will have a TWO MINUTE PENALTY added to their
race time.
15. OVERTAKING IN THE SAVERNAKE TUNNEL IS
STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
16. At the turning point for Race B, it is essential that the marshal's
instructions are followed, in order to avoid impeding other competitors.
(See Rule 11).
17. All crews who have finished all four races are eligible for Series
awards, K2 and C2 paddlers must have had the same partner for the
whole series.
18. After the published time for the close of the Finish Control at
each race, fifteen minutes will be allowed for protests. No appeal
received after this time will be allowed.
19. The following rules apply equally to competitors and their
support crews.
THERE IS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS
FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC EACH YEAR REGARDING
THE BEHAVIOUR OF SUPPORT CREWS. REMEMBER
THAT COMPETITORS MAY BE PENALISED FOR THE
BEHAVIOUR OF THEIR SUPPORT CREWS.
a) Competitors and their support crews must show
courtesy and consideration to other towpath users. Any
trespassing, nuisance or damage caused by competitors or
their support crews will lead to disqualification.
b) Support vehicles must show courtesy and
consideration to local residents and other road users, both
while driving and when parking.
c) The start area at Great Bedwyn (Race A) is very
sensitive. Competitors and support crews must restrict
themselves to the towpath and the car park. DO NOT
TRESPASS ON NEIGHBOURING PROPERTY.
d) After police involvement there is no parking in Little
Bedwyn village for support crews. Maps showing
prohibitive parking areas are displayed at the start of the
races. Little Bedwyn is completely out of bounds to
support crews for race A.
There is no support parking at the Savernake Tunnel .
f) After police intervention, support crews must not park
on the main road at Burbage Wharf
g) Vehicles must not stop on the road by the bridge at
Pewsey Wharf, even for unloading. Please park at St
Francis School.
h). The land between the canal and the river at Bulls
Lock (Race B) is private property, portaging into the river at
this point involves trespassing, and is a cause of friction
with anglers. Competitors must not use the river at this
point.
20. The decision of the Race Committee on all matters is final.
<Return to the top of the page>
Use this link to download a copy of the rule sheet in word 6.0/95 format.
www.watersides.fsnet.co.uk/downloads/ws_rules.zip
This event is held on the Kennet & Avon Canal by kind
permission of British Waterways.
