Welcome to the 3rd annual Iowa City/Coralville Jaycee’s Dragon Boat Event. We are excited to continue our Party in the Park with this event.
Present Early Registration Period, entry fee is $450 (teams must have full entry paid before July1 to receive discount)
A credit card number is needed to reserve your spot. $250 will be charged if you reserve a spot and pull out after the early registration period.
July 1, 2008 Early Registration Period Ends, entry fee is $500
August 10, 2008 Race Day – Lower City Park
7:00a.m. Captain’s information pickup
7:45a.m. Captain’s meeting
8:30am Time trails
Mid morning Seeding and Racing
Racing will continue throughout the day with an awards presentation to follow
IV. Captains Responsibilities
Select your team captain. The team captain is responsible for:
V. Other Information
Kevin Meller
301 S. Clinton Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-338-9751 (work)
319-325-1396 (cell)
Kevin.meller@bankofthewest.com
VI. Rules of Competition
Race Committee
The management of the competition shall be in the hands of a race committee, which will consist of:
Head Race Official Race Organizer Board Representative
The Race Committee shall:
1. Hear any protests that may be made and settle any disputes that may arise. In the event of a protest involving an international team, the race committee shall also include a member from each international team.
2. Decide matters concerning disqualification in cases where the regulations have been broken during the competition. The decision of the committee shall be based on the rules as shown in this document.
3. Before any decision is made regarding an alleged infraction of the rules, the committee shall hear the opinion of the officials who were in control of the race at that time.
The race committee may disqualify any competitor who behaves improperly, or who by his/her conduct or speech shows contempt towards the officials, other competitors, or onlookers. A member of the race committee may not participate in a judgment concerned with his/her team, or a member thereof.
Official Timing Procedure
The starter shall be equipped with a device that will electronically start the timers. At the starters mark, the electronic clocks will commence the race timing. The clocks will be automatically stopped upon the removal of the finish flag from its buoy. There shall at least one backup timer per lane using a manual stopwatch. The team with the fastest time (combined from two heats) shall be declared the winner.
1. General
1.1 A team representative from each team shall attend an orientation of the race regulations prior to the races.
1.2 Written guidelines and the race rules shall be available to teams upon request prior to the competition.
1.3 All boats and paddles used by the competitors shall be provided by the race officials. Race officials shall assure that paddles of various sizes, lengths and weights are equally distributed among boats. The allocation of boats and paddles to individual teams shall be at the discretion of the officials. The officials shall not be responsible for any failure of equipment during a race and each team is advised to carefully check the boat and paddles allocated to it before racing and request any spares. The race officials are obligated to replace damaged equipment at the request of a team before the team leaves the marshaling area.
NOTE: It is the sterns men’s responsibility to ensure that the stern equipment is in race condition. No race will be rerun due to failed sterns equipment.
1.3.1 Paddlers are not permitted to alter the supplied paddles in any way -- including but not limited to -- applying sticky or waxy substances to the shaft and roughening the hand gripping surfaces.
1.4 A team is under the control of the race officials from the time it is called to the team assembling area, or twenty minutes before the time of its race, if earlier, until it leaves the team assembly area after its race.
1.5 Knee pads and/or gloves may be worn; however, any other equipment (automatic bailers, spray skirts, cushions, etc.) or modifications to the boat or paddles will not be allowed. Only paddles provided by the race organizers shall be allowed to be used. Thongs or flip-flops may not be worn as footwear within the boat.
1.5.1 Small water bottles may be taken into the boat for drinking between heats.
1.6 Each team must have a representative, who must be present at the staging area during the time that the team is under the control of the race officials.
The team representative will be responsible for liaisons with race officials.
1.7 Once in the marshaling area or on the race course, teams must obey any instructions given to them by race officials.
1.8 All competitors must be eleven years of age or older at the time of the event.
1.9 The race organizer reserves the right to refuse any team entry into a race if the team does not comply with the race rules and conduct.
1.10 Any team that fails to observe these rules may be disqualified.
1.11 Signaling devices such as radio communications or other electronic items (intercoms, etc.), shall not be used by any team during the races.
1.12 Only the drum and drum sticks provided shall be used to signal the stroke rate; whistles, rattles, air horns or any other noise making devices are prohibited from use.
2. Safety
2.1 Each competitor will be required to wear a life jacket during the competition and all practice sessions.
It is the responsibility of the team captain to make sure that all members of the team comply with this rule.
2.2 The race organizer will provide an experienced Dragon Boat Steersman unless the team has a sterns man who is experienced and approved by the practice committee.
2.3 Each lane shall be at least ten meters in width to help prevent collisions.
2.4 No alcohol or long pants (other than spandex or nylon) are permitted on the boats during practice or competition.
2.5 No swimming is permitted near the boats during practice or competition.
2.6 All paddlers must sign a release form prior to the first practice and the event. Each paddler shall be physically fit enough to participate.
2.7 Each team member is required to be able to swim 100 meters while wearing a PFD (Personal Flotation Device - Life Jacket). It is the responsibility of the team captain to ensure that all members of the team are able to comply with this regulation.
2.8 Wrist bands must be worn by all participants. These bands indicate team members that have signed a waiver for this competition. Waivers must have been signed by every participant.
2.9 When loading from the beach, load from the front seat by pairs. All paddlers should hold their hands up to help keep the balance of subsequent paddlers when they walk down the middle beam of the boat.
2.10 When unloading at the beach, paddlers should disembark in the reverse order as when they loaded. It is essential that everyone leave their seat in order and that the seated paddlers have their hands up to offer support. Failure to unload correctly may result in serious injury and/or disqualification.
2.11 It is the captain's responsibility to orient his/her team to these rules before they enter the boats for the first time, or to have a qualified person from the JAYCEES do so.
2.12 Respect the equipment. Do not scrape paddles along the gunwales of the boat. This creates potential splinters and ruins the boats and paddles.
2.13 Do not sit or stand on life jackets. To do so shortens the life span of the jackets and is against the rules of the competition.
2.14 Before taking your team through any strenuous sprints or race starts, be sure they are warmed up to avoid any strains.
2.15 In the event of bad weather, high winds, lightning, or approaching darkness get your team off the lake or river immediately. Safety is your first consideration.
2.16 Use common sense. If these safety rules are followed by all, we believe everyone can have a summer full of fun that is injury free.
2.17 The race committee, the JAYCEES and the ADBA reserve the right to refuse the use of any dragon boat or equipment to any team member failing to follow these rules.
2.18 Each competitor is solely responsible for his/her own safety during practice sessions and during races and no responsibility will be accepted by the race officials, the Iowa City/Coralville Jaycees, any official volunteer, or any sponsoring organization for any injury, damage or loss incurred or born by competitors or members of a team.
2.19 If you or any member of your crew feel any condition is unsafe notify the race officials and competition will be halted
2.20 Any injuries sustained as a result of participating in the races or practices must be reported immediately to the information tent, and the team captain must submit an injury report to the information tent immediately following the injury. Incident report forms are available at the information tent and at the back of this manual.
3. The Team
3.1 Team composition shall be governed by the race organizer. Each mixed team must have at least eight women and eight men PADDLING in the boat at all times. Drummer, flag-catcher and stern do not count as paddlers. (Teams may paddle 2 athletes short of the 18 maximum.)
3.1.1 No paddler may compete on more than one team. Once a paddler has competed with one team, he or she may not compete as a member of any other team. This rule applies for the duration of the event. Exception: Sterns man
3.2 Paddling styles are not restricted in dragon boat racing. Sitting, kneeling, high-kneeling, standing, etc. are allowed. At the race organizer's discretion a team may be required to demonstrate their ability to race safely and successfully the entire course length.
3.3 Each team is entirely responsible for its own conduct and for complying with the race rules.
3.4 Each team must wear a uniform, distinctive tank or T-shirt at all times while afloat.
3.5 In cases of medical emergency teams shall proceed immediately to the loading area for medical attention. Teams may not substitute paddlers between heats.
3.6 Any person observed by an official to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs shall be removed from paddling and cannot be replaced. In addition, that person’s team may be disqualified.
3.7 A team that allows a non-waivered / registered person to participate as a team member will be subject to disqualification for that race, and may be disqualified from further participation in the festival.
3.8 Team rosters will be limited to 25 persons in all classes.
4. Marshaling
4.1 A team must be assemble at the staging area when called and be ready to board fifteen minutes prior to the race.
NOTE: Races may run up to 2 hours early and teams not present will forfeit the race.
4.2 A team must board the boat in accordance with the instruction of the race officials.
4.3 A team must board the boat allocated to it. In events with more than two boats, each boat will carry a number indication of the lane in which the boat is to race.
4.4 A team is not permitted to choose which boat or lane to use and must race in the lane allocated to its boat.
4.5 To facilitate the races, after a team has boarded it should leave the boarding area and proceed to the starting area, keeping clear of the course and not interfering with any race which is in progress.
5. The Start
5.1 A team in the starting area will obey the instruction of the starter, and other race officials under control of the starter.
5.2 A team will take up its position in the starting area in the correct lane allocated to it.
5.3 Boats will line up at the starting point according to instructions from race officials.
5.4 Approximately one minute before race start a warning will be given. Approximately ten seconds before the start of the race, a second warning will be given. A horn, gun, whistle, or shout will be heard, signaling the race start.
5.5 In the event of a false start, a second horn, gun, whistle or shout will sound and all boats must return immediately and the race will be restarted. The starter will issue a warning to any team that causes a false start.
5.6 Any team that fails to return after a false start, or that causes two false starts will be disqualified from that race.
6. Race Conduct
6.1 Each boat must remain in its correct lane and must not interfere with other boats in the race. Lane markers may be positioned beyond the finish line to guide teams. Course distances should not be less that 300 meters (884 feet), 2 lanes each 10 meters (33 feet) wide. Taiwan style flag catching will be used with two heats per race.
6.2 Umpire boats may follow each race to observe the course taken by each boat.
6.3 Any boat failing to keep to its proper course may be disqualified by a race official. Boats must not pass outside buoys marking the edge of the course.
6.4 In the event of a boat failing to keep its proper course and thereby interfering with the course of another boat, or in the event of a collision between two or more boats, the head race official may disqualify the offending boat or boats, or may order one or more boats to re-paddle the race if, in the opinion of the head race official, the result of the race has been substantially effected.
6.5 If, in the opinion of the head race official, a boat has been swamped or capsized deliberately by a team, the race organizer after consultation with the American Dragon Boat Association's representative reserves the right to disqualify the offending team and refuse said teams entry in future races.
6.6 If, in the opinion of the head race official, a boat is damaged deliberately by a team, the race organizer reserves the right to require a team to pay for the costs of repairs to the damaged boat(s).
The opposing team (not the one that spun out) has two options:
It is the opposing team sternman’s call in the event of spin out which option the team he is sterning will elect. If a collision or other unsafe condition can occur by continuing the race, the sternsman can stop the heat and re-run for a registered time.
NOTE: The crew’s safety will come first in all circumstances.
7. The Finish
7.1 The finishing order of a race and the time taken by each boat will be determined by the finishing judges whose decision shall be final.
7.2 In the event of a signal race tie for any race determining advancement to the next round, those crews involved in the dead heat will immediately re-paddle over the full course. Teams not involved in the dead heat will immediately return to the team assembly area and disembark.
7.3 A team must finish with someone in the drummer and sterns man positions. The flag catcher must remain on the boat during and after grasping the flag. Each team must catch the flag to get total time. Only the flag catcher may pull the flag. In the event the flag catcher misses the flag and it is not pulled, the time for the team will be ten seconds from the time the head of the boat passed the finishing buoy. In the event of a boat deviating from its course, the finishing time for that boat will be ten seconds added to the time of the winning team.
7.5 If a paddle is dropped in the water by accident during a race and not retrieved, the paddler may, at his or her discretion, use a spare, or not paddle for the remainder of the race. All paddlers must stay in the boat.
7.6 If a paddle is deliberately thrown in such a manner as to enter the lane and hinder a competing boat, the boat from which the paddle came may be disqualified.
7.7 A video camera will be sighted along the finish line in order to facilitate the decisions of the finishing judges.
8. Win /Loss Record
8.1 Regardless of bracketing or festival format, the result of a tie shall be determined by the following method:
The best two race times of each team shall be used, the team with the lowest total time shall be declared the winner of the tie.
9. Protests
9.1 In the event of a team wishing to lodge a protest against another team, the team captain must lodge the protest in writing with the head race official within fifteen minutes after the end of the race. The protest, together with the report and recommendations of the race officials, will be referred to the race committee whose decision shall be final.
9.2 No protests will be allowed concerning equipment or any matter other than the conduct of teams in a race.
9.3 In the event of a protest only the team captains will be permitted in or near the race committee tent. If other team members are present, no protest will be permitted and the protesting team may be disqualified.
INDIVIDUAL ATHLETIC WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY
Iowa City/Coralville Jaycees Dragon Boat Event 2008
1. In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the IOWA CITY/CORALVILLE JAYCEES and the American Dragon Boat Association dragon boat/paddling program and related events and activities, the undersigned:
2. Agrees that prior to participating, I will inspect the facilities and equipment to be used, and if I believe anything to be unsafe, I will immediately advise my team captain or the chief dragon boat activity organizer of such condition(s) and refuse to participate.
3. Acknowledge and fully understand that I will be engaging in activities that involve risk of serious injury, including permanent disability and death, and severe social and economic losses which might result not only from my actions, inaction’s, the negligence of others, the rules of play, or the condition of the premises or of any equipment used. Further, that there may be other risks not known to me or reasonably foreseeable at this time.
4. Assume all the foregoing risks and accept personal responsibility for the damages following such injury, permanent disability or death.
5. Release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue the IOWA CITY/CORALVILLE JAYCEES, and/or the AMERICAN DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION, its affiliate dragon boat clubs and/or committees and organizers, any coaches, trainers, sterns men and other employees of the organization, other participants, sponsoring agencies, advisors, advertisers, and if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event, all of which are hereinafter referred to as the "releases" from any liability to the undersigned; his or her heirs and next of kin for any and all claims, demands, losses, or damages on account of injury, including death or damage to property caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of these releases or otherwise.
6. Agree to wear an approved life jacket properly fastened at all times while in the boat and to ensure all responsibility for informing myself of all safety rules and to abide by all such rules related to the activity.
7. I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE, and understand this waiver to be in effect for any and all activities related to the IOWA CITY/CORAVILLE JAYCEES and the AMERICAN DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION, the dragon paddling program, and any and all related events.
PLEASE PRINT
YOUR Name :
Team Name : _
Address : _
City : State ____Zip : _
Work Phone : Home Phone ________ _
Please Sign
Participants Signature:
Guardians Signature : _
(for participants younger than 18 years of age)
TEAM NAME ________________________ Date: 2008
TEAM ATHLETIC WAIVER (ROSTER) AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY
Iowa City/Coralville Jaycees Dragon Boat Event 2008
1. In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the Iowa City/Coralville Jaycees and the American Dragon Boat Association dragon boat/paddling program and related events and activities, the undersigned:
2. Agrees that prior to participating, I will inspect the facilities and equipment to be used, and if I believe anything to be unsafe, I will immediately advise my team captain or the chief dragon boat activity organizer of such condition(s) and refuse to participate.
3. Acknowledge and fully understand that I will be engaging in activities that involve risk of serious injury, including permanent disability and death, and severe social and economic losses which might result not only from my actions, inaction’s, the negligence of others, the rules of play, or the condition of the premises or of any equipment used. Further, that there may be other risks not known to me or reasonably foreseeable at this time.
4. Assume all the foregoing risks and accept personal responsibility for the damages following such injury, permanent disability or death.
5. Release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue the IOWA CITY/CORALVILLE JAYCEES, and/or the AMERICAN DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION, its affiliate dragon boat clubs and/or committees and organizers, any coaches, trainers, sterns men and other employees of the organization, other participants, sponsoring agencies, advisors, advertisers, and if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event, all of which are hereinafter referred to as the "releases" from any liability to the undersigned; his or her heirs and next of kin for any and all claims, demands, losses, or damages on account of injury, including death or damage to property caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of these releases or otherwise.
6. Agree to wear an approved life jacket properly fastened at all times while in the boat and to ensure all responsibility for informing myself of all safety rules and to abide by all such rules related to the activity.
7. I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE, and understand this waiver to be in effect for any and all activities related to the IOWA CITY/CORALVILLE JAYCEES and the AMERICAN DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION, the dragon paddling program, and any and all related events.
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE #
1)
Signature
2)
Signature
3)
Signature
4)
Signature
5)