AMERICAN CANOE ASSOCIATION

Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver Racing Rules

Effective January 1, 1994

Classes added since 1995

document reformatted 1996

modified March 1998

modified March 2000

modified March 2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Article Page

I. Object 1

II. Sanctions 1

III. Eligibility 2

IV. Specifications of Canoes 2

V. Measuring 3

VI. Means of Propulsion 3

VII. Classes of Competition 4

VIII. Course and Schedule Requirements 5

IX. Organization of Competition 5

X. Duties of Officials 6

XI. Invitations 7

XII. Instructions for Competitors 8

XIII. Disqualifications 8

XIV. Starts 9

XV. Overtaking 9

XVI. Finish 9

XVII. Safety 9

XVIII. Determining the Results 9

XIX. Protests 9

XX. Amendments 10

Appendix I: Boat Specification Diagram

Appendix II: Flotation Specification Diagram

Appendix III: Schedule Information

Article I: OBJECT

1. The object shall be to promote and regulate Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver Racing. Promotion and regulation shall include, but not be limited to, producing quality competition to increase skills and awareness of paddlers and spectators, encouraging new competitors and new canoeists in general, providing safe and fair racing conditions and quality recreational experiences for all involved.   

2. It shall also be to coordinate whitewater open canoe racing rules with the existing National Marathon, Slalom, and Downriver Rules.   

Article II: SANCTIONS   

1. The annual National Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver Championship and all Regional or Divisional Championships shall be sanctioned by the WWOC Downriver Committee of the American Canoe Association, and shall abide by the following rules.   

2. Non‑championship or local races should be run in general compliance with the non‑safety aspects of these rules, though some reasonable adaptations to suit local conditions may be made at the discretion of the Divisional WWOCD chairman. Safety Standards should be strictly followed.   

3. Application for race sanctioning shall be made to a Divisional WWOCD Chairman, or to the National WWOCD Chairman.   

Article III: ELIGIBILITY   

1. Whitewater open canoe Downriver competition sanctioned by the ACA shall be open to canoeists as prescribed by current ACA by‑laws and policies.   

2. Canoeists who are members in good standing of the ACA may compete in championship competitions. To be National Champion, the competitor must be a citizen of the USA or have been a bona fide resident of the USA for two years. To be divisional and/or regional champion, the competitor must be a member of that ACA Division or region.    

Article IV. SPECIFICATIONS OF CANOES   

A whitewater open canoe is a traditional open Canadian or Native American canoe which is a boat with ends pointed and higher than the middle, symmetrical side‑to‑side, and propelled with single bladed paddles.   

There will be two categories of canoes. They shall be known as Formula 16 and Formula 14. The Formula 16 classes are intended to include canoes sold for general recreational use. In general, ABS, polyethylene, aluminum and wood/canvas canoes will qualify for inclusion (assuming they meet all weight and dimension requirements) while fiberglass/kevlar/composite and woodstrip canoes will generally be included in the Formula 14 classes. A canoe MUST be or have been a commercially available, general production model to qualify for the Formula 16 classes. In questionable cases, the Race Chairman shall decide with reference to the intent of this rule.   

1. Canoe width shall be a certain percentage of the overall length of the hull, at a point within one foot of the center of the hull length, measured at the 4 inch waterline, not including a keel. The minimum width for a Formula 14 canoe is 14.375 percent of the length. The minimum width for a Formula 16 boat is 16 percent of length. .  

2. For safety and economy, canoes shall meet minimum weight requirements. This weight includes all permanent fixtures and all flotation used for the race, but does not include paddles, containers, unattached portage yokes or other removable equipment. Legal fixtures or flotation may be added to bring a canoe up to the required weight.   

Formula 14 Category: 6 pounds plus 2 pounds per foot of length

Formula 16 Category: 6 pounds plus 3 pounds per foot of length   

3. Depth shall not exceed 15 inches for Formula 14 categories or 16 inches for Formula 16 categories, at a point within one foot of the center hull length, measured vertically from the highest point to the outside bottom, not including a keel.

4. The gunwale shall form a smooth curve or series of compound curves. Width of the gunwale and tumblehome shall not exceed 3.5 inches, measured horizontally from the extreme outside of the hull or outwale to the inside of the inwale  .   

5. Width of the outwale (including splash rails) shall not exceed 1.5 inches measured horizontally from the adjacent hull to the outside of the outwale. Width of the inwale shall not exceed 1.5 inches measured horizontally from the adjacent hull to the inside of the inwale except where it merges into or is under possible decks.   

6. Length of deck shall not exceed 36 inches, measured parallel to the centerline, from the extreme end of the hull to the extreme end of the deck. No part or attachment of the deck may extend more than one inch above the canoe's gunwale.   

7. There shall be no devices to remove water other than bailing scoops or sponges.   

8. There shall be no devices to assist portaging other than carrying yokes, pads, tumplines, and bow and stern lines.   

9. Flotation is used to protect the paddler, the equipment, safety personnel and bystanders who may offer assistance, yet should not be so excessive that the open canoeing tradition is compromised.   

There must be enough permanent flotation (air bags excluded) to float the canoe and a 25 lb. weight placed at midship horizontally if the canoe is full of water. If not, sufficient flotation must be added to do so, in accordance to the flotation rules below.

Flotation added to the original hull is limited to a maximum of 10 feet of length along the canoe and all flotation within the front 6 feet of the canoe must be under the legal 36 inch deck. Foam outwales and normal post or pads for a bow paddler are not included in this restriction. Flotation allowed for the race may be included when the canoe is checked for weight. Competitors under 19 years of age may add additional floatation to their canoes, provided that the additional floatation is depressed at least 3 inches below the gunwale and does not impede the entry of water into the canoe.  

10. The canoe shall not be covered by any device or material other than normal seats, thwarts, decks and flotation as limited above.   

11. There shall be no attachment to the exterior of the hull between the waterline and the gunwale other than safety lines, grab loops, or splash rails.   

12. Safety lines of at least 1/4" in diameter and 6 feet of length or a six inch diameter grab loop of at least 1/4" line shall be attached to each end of the canoe.   

13. Length measured along the centerline of the hull only must not exceed 18 feet, 6 inches   

14. It is not permissible to make the boat meet the required dimensions by the addition of taped‑on extensions or by similar means. The boat should be designed to and remain within, the required dimensions. To be permissible, corrections must be of a permanent nature except where applied to repair damage during an event, and must in no case constitute a potential safety hazard.   

Article V. MEASURING   

1. Conformity to the specifications is necessary for a safe and fair race. It is the responsibility of paddlers to race a canoe which conforms to specifications. Measurements will be made by the chief boat measurer or other experts designated by the chief boat measurer. Measurement will be made by a combination of instruments and experienced "look and feel". Canoes must be brought for measurement race ready. Any modifications or changes after inspection could result in disqualification.

2. All canoes competing in national and regional championships must be measured and marked prior to the start of competition during times specified by the race committee. Spot checks may be made at any time during and after the competition at the discretion of the race officials. At divisional championships, measuring will be at the discretion of the race officials. Canoes of top finishers in each class may be re‑inspected at the finish line.   

3. Any canoe failing to comply with the official specifications shall be disqualified and not allowed to start the competition.

4. When using instruments, all measuring shall be to the closest 1/8 inch or pound of weight. Marginal decisions shall be determined by judgment of whether the difference gains the competitor any appreciable advantage over others. All final determinations will be made by the chief boat measurer.   

Article VI: MEANS OF PROPULSION   

1. Open canoes shall be propelled solely by means of single bladed paddles.   

2. The paddles may not be supported on the boats in any way.   

3. If a competitor loses or breaks a paddle, only a spare carried on the boat from the start of the heat may be used in its place.

Article VII: CLASSES OF COMPETITION  

Championship WWOCD awards shall be presented to at least 3 places, or to at least one half of the competitors of the class (rounded up), whichever is smaller. A competitor must finish within 120% of the winning score in order to be eligible for an award. “There will be Overall Winner’s Awards given to the fastest OC-1 and OC-2 of any age and sex in both Formula 14 and Formula 16 categories.”  

1. The following age classes are defined: The following age classes are defined for both sexes, with age being determined by the competitor’s age as of the first day of the National Championships. A competitor must enter in his or her appropriate age class. No competitor may be under 10 years of age.

a.) 10-12 b.) 13-15 c.) 16-18 d.) 19-39 e.) 40-54 f.) 55-up   

Classes may be combined to attain five entries when necessary as follows: *  

If there are less than 5 entries in a class those competitors may be required to “paddle-up” a class (be combined with a more difficult class closest to their competitive level). For example, if there are less than 5 entries in the mixed class, they may be moved into the comparable men’s class. If the 16% (16-18) class has less than 5 entries, it may be combined with the (19-39) 16% class. If the 14% (40-54) class has less than 5 entries, it may be combined with the 14% (19-39) class. If the 16% (19-39) class has less than 5 entries it may be combined with the 14% (19-39) class. The combining of classes applies to both the Men’s and Women’s classes.

*Age classes (10-12) and (13-15) will not be combined, nor will women’s classes be combined with men’s classes regardless of the number of entries.

2. Downriver Race and Sprint Race classes

OC-2 Classes: (Male & Female) OC-1 Classes: (Male & Female)

16%: (10-12)* 16%: (10-12)*

(13-15)* (13-15)*

(10-16/25)** (16-18)

14% & 16%: (16-18) 14% & 16%: (19-39)

(19-39) (40-54)

(40-54) (55-UP)

(55-UP)

(Mixed)

14% & 16%: (19-UP)

______________________________

* These classes will be contested only if a less difficult course is available for these younger competitors.

** This class is made up of competitors from ages (10-16) and a competitor who is 25 years of age or older. This class will compete on the longer more difficult course.

3. A paddler may race in the same class for both the Formula 14 and the Formula 16 categories at the same Nationals or Divisional event, if the race venue and schedule allow. No paddler may race twice in the same class and thereby compete against herself/himself, except that the 25-up member in the 10-16/25-up class may race more than once, with a different partner in each race if the schedule and venue allow (up to a maximum of 4 total races each day)

4. Special classes may be formed at the discretion of the organizers of non‑championship races when demand for them is sufficient.   

5. New classes may be formed as follows: A WWOCD Committee member submits a request for a new class to the WWOCD Chairman by September 1. The request consists of the definition and motivation for the class followed by endorsing signatures of five other ACA members. If the proposal is approved by the National WWOC Committee, the class becomes a trial class for the next two Nationals (and, optionally, Divisionals). WWOCD Championship awards will not be presented for trial classes, but other awards should be arranged by the race committee. If 5 or more boats race the trial class in each of the two trial years, the class then becomes permanent.   

6. Any class, trial or permanent, in which 5 boats have not raced for each of 2 consecutive years may be dropped as a class for subsequent years by a vote of the National WWOCD Committee in November.   

Article VIII: COURSE AND SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS  

The course shall be of sufficient difficulty to test the whitewater ability of the paddlers.   

1. A championship whitewater open canoe downriver race course shall be at least 30 minutes and not more than 100 minutes in length for the fastest canoes. Courses between 30 minutes and 60 minutes are to be preferred, but longer courses may be necessary due to race management conditions. The course shall contain predominantly whitewater and may include portages if appropriate.   

2. The sprint race course should be roughly one mile or 7 minutes in length, have no portage, and should contain as much of the best whitewater in the river as is possible subject to the constraints of managing the race and accessibility of the course to spectators. Optimizing on the above factors, the race committee may choose the sprint race from as short as 3 minutes to as long as 12 minutes.   

3. The schedule of events shall be as follows: There must be at least 3 days allocated, including one day for practice and two days for racing.

4. The downriver classes should be divided into two days of competition. Additional scheduling information can be found in Appendix III.     

Article IX: ORGANIZATION OF COMPETITION   

The WWOCD Chairperson will appoint the Chief Judge, who will act as the representative of the WWOCD Committee and see that the races are run in accordance with these rules, and to the satisfaction of the WWOCD Committee.   

All Competitions shall be under the jurisdiction of a Race Chairperson and a Race Committee, approved by the Chairperson of the sanctioning body. It shall be their responsibility to supervise the competition for which they are appointed, by enforcing the paddling rules and performing the following duties:   

1. Publish at least five weeks in advance of the date set for such race, suitable notices announcing the title, site, date, programs of events including eligibility of entrants, address where entries and fees will be received, distance of each event, entry fee, type and class of canoes to be used, closing time for receipt of entries, name of sponsor and name of sanctioning body.   

2. Appoint the officials as prescribed in Article IX.   

3. Provide all physical equipment necessary for the race.   

4. Supervise the laying out and marking of the race course, and certify to the sanctioning body the accuracy of the courses.   

5. Authority to investigate the eligibility of any contestant, irrespective of the entering of any protest, and if the circumstances so justify, the Race Committee is empowered to refuse entry.   

6. A race headquarters shall be established at some convenient location to post information about the events, such as time schedules, maps, lists of competitors, and race times and places. Headquarters should be staffed for at least 3 hours per day from two days before the first race until the day of the last race.   

7. Protests ‑ See Article XX.   

8. Within two weeks after the conclusion of the race, render to the sanctioning body a complete report, covering the finances for each event, the name and position of each paddler. Such report shall contain a statement of any protest lodged with the Committee and the decision rendered. A final financial report must be sent to the sanctioning body three weeks prior to the next annual National Congress.   

9. Within one month after the conclusion of competition, forward the names and positions of all competitors to all race participants.   

10.The Race Committee shall see that proper provisions are made for the presentation of the awards to the contestants.   

11. The WWOCD Nationals should take place between June 20 and August 20.   

12. WWOCD members should solicit bids for the Nationals event so that they may be discussed at the paddlers meeting 2 years before the actual event. A bid consists of a formal letter from the local organization with an appendage containing as much of the information listed in Article X as is known at the time. The National WWOCD Committee shall make the site selection in November and publicize the decision by January, roughly 18 months before the actual race.   

13. If, in case of extreme conditions, the race cannot be properly held at the published site, the National WWOCD Committee may move the race to any course on which it has been held in the last 10 years. If such action is taken, the decision must be made at least one week before the first scheduled event with all necessary new information available at the national office of the ACA.   

14. In extreme circumstances at the race site, race rules may be temporarily altered by a decision supported by a majority vote of the competitors attending the competitors meeting or by a majority vote of the National WWOCD Committee present at the race plus the Race Chairperson and Chief Judge.   

15. The race organizer shall be required to supply participation certificates to all junior, youth, and cadet competitors at the WWOCD National Championships.   

Article X: DUTIES OF OFFICIALS   

Officials shall be appointed by the WWOCD Chairperson and his/her designees. Depending on the availability of personnel, an individual may have more than one official capacity.   

1. The Race Chairperson, who is also the Chairperson of the Race Committee, appoints the Jury and other officials (with the exception of the Chief Judge) as needed to assure the smooth execution of the race. The Race Chairperson shall arrange for the prerace meeting(s) to advise racers regarding safety and scheduling of the races.   

2. The Chief Judge is appointed by the WWOCD Chairman. He/she is responsible for the correct running of the race in accordance with these rules. He/she interprets these rules, and has the right to disqualify or grant a rerun. He/she is the chairman of the Jury.   

3. The Downriver Chairperson shall supervise the race and be responsible for seeing that it takes place according to the program and without unnecessary delay. With the assistance of the Measurer, they must ensure that all regulations concerning measurements are observed by all canoes taking part in the contest.   

4. The Competition Secretary or Recorder shall be responsible for recording the results and preparing the list of all contestants. He/she shall keep the minutes of the proceedings of any protest.   

5. The Starter decides all matters concerning the start of the races, and is alone responsible for decisions as to false starts. The Starter’s decision is final. He/She can refuse to start a competitor if the competitor:  

a. Fails to follow the safety rules;

b. Fails to appear at an assigned start time;

c. Appears without a correct number bib;

d. Fails to follow the Starter's orders; or

e. Appears in a canoe that has not been measured and marked.   

6. The Finishing Line Judge shall note the order in which the competitors have passed the finishing line, and must rule on disqualification for crossing the line capsized.   

7. The Race Chairperson shall appoint a Jury/Protest Committee of 3 or 5 members. The Chief Judge shall be the chairman of the Jury. The Jury controls the correct running of the race, receives any protests concerning the non‑observance of these rules, and ultimately decides in the event of disagreement on the interpretation of these rules. The decisions of the Jury shall be guided by these rules insofar as possible, but it must also decide on all matters arising during the race which are not covered herein. The Jury can disqualify a competitor for all or part of the race. A member of the Jury must not vote in a decision involving classes in which he/she competes.   

8. Timekeepers are responsible for noting the time and bib numbers. At National and Regional Championships they must employ both a primary and back‑up timing system.   

9. The Measurer shall supervise the measuring of canoes.   

10. The Safety Officer shall have overall responsibility for safety measures. Assisted by his/her team and according to the circumstances, shall do his/her utmost for the rescue of competitors who have capsized and do not refuse assistance, and shall make a reasonable effort to recover their equipment.

Article XI: INVITATIONS   

1. The invitation and entry form for a downriver race should be distributed at least five weeks prior to the entry deadline. The invitation should include the following information.   a. Time and place of competition.

b. Description of course, including water conditions and degree of difficulty

c. Classes to be run and eligibility requirements.

d. Sequence and approximate starting times.

e. Safety measures to be taken.

f. Address to which entries should be sent and amount of fee.

g. Last date for entries to be postmarked.

h. Whether late entries will be accepted and conditions.

i. Time and place for drawing of starting positions.

j. Limitations on entries, if any.

k. Nature of awards to be given.

l. Required work assignment for competitors, if any.

m. Regulation on training runs.

n. Whether meals, camping, or other accommodations are available including public transportation and driving directions.

o. Schedule of events, (including water releases, boat measuring, meetings, etc.).

p. Statement to be signed by competitor(s) releasing the race organizers from liability during the race and an agreement that the competitor(s) will abide by the ACA Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver Racing Rules.

q. Special information for the handicapped.

r. Any other information as deemed necessary.   

2. In the event that an entry is rejected, notice of rejection (with reasons for the latter), shall be sent by mail to all affected competitors. Withdrawal of an entry for good cause prior to the registration deadline, or cancellation of the race by the Organizers, should result in at least a partial refund less an amount to be held by the Organizers to cover handling costs. At the discretion of the Race Chairman, alteration of entries may be accepted prior to the close of late registration. No entry may be altered after late registration has closed.

Article XII: INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPETITORS   

Each competitor shall receive instructions before the beginning of the competition concerning the following:   

1. detailed information on the courses and their markings

2. starting time, interval and order

3. finishing time

4. starting time and procedures

5. competitors racing number

6. safety procedures   

It is particularly important to cover any late changes in the course, or hazardous spots. Competitors may ask questions about the course or the operation of the race. Additional meetings may be held as deemed necessary by the Race Chairman. Information presented at these meetings shall be made available to competitors excused from the meeting by a race official.   

Article XIII: DISQUALIFICATIONS   

1. Any competitor who attempts to win a race by other than honorable means, or who breaks the racing rules, or who disregards the honorable nature of the racing rules shall be disqualified.   

2. Should a competitor have completed a race run in a canoe which is shown upon inspection to not comply with these rules, the Race Chairperson shall take appropriate action which may include disqualification.   

3. The same boat and competitors must be used for the entirety of the race. If one team member drops out or if the canoe becomes unusable, the team and canoe shall be disqualified.   

4. No supplies, provisions, or equipment of any kind may be picked up or intentionally discarded along the course.   

5. No assistance of any kind along the race course shall be permitted. Paddlers receiving assistance will be disqualified. Safety personnel should not assist contestants if the latter specifically refuses help (Unless the safety personnel believes that it is a life threatening situation). However, once assistance has been accepted, the competitor(s) is automatically disqualified (unless any of the competitors is under the age of 19, including mixed age group classes) and should be listed as DNF even if the competitor(s) continues on to the finish line. 

6. Any competitor who shall fail to remain on the marked course as outlined in advance by the race organizer, or who makes a portage or portages not marked as mandatory or optional shall be disqualified, regardless of advantage gained.   

7. Failure to perform a work assignment or safety assignment, unless excused, will entail disqualification for the entire race.   

8. Deliberate misrepresentations on an entry form or in statements to Officials will result in disqualification from the category involved or from the entire race, depending on their nature.   

Except as required above, the Race Chairperson and Chief Judge may disqualify a competitor from a single class, or from an entire race, depending on the nature and severity of an infraction.     

Article XIV: STARTS  

Canoes may be started en mass, singly, or in randomly chosen sub‑groups as determined by the Race Committee.   

Article XV: OVERTAKING  

It is the duty of the overtaking craft to keep clear at all times of the boat being overtaken. However, the craft being overtaken is not allowed to alter its course to create difficulties for the overtaking craft.  

Article XVI: FINISH   

The finishing line is reached when any part of the upright canoe with paddlers in it crosses the finish line. All finish times should be rounded to the nearest tenth of a second. Except when a class was started en mass and a winner can be ascertained by visible means, finish times which are the same after rounding result in a tie.   

A competitor’s time is complete when he/she crosses the finish line. The competitor may not cross the finish line more than once.

Article XVII: SAFETY   

1. All competitors must wear:

a.) U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (life jackets) or the equivalent over‑the‑shoulder type.

b.) hard‑shelled head protection.   

2. It is the responsibility of each contestant to stop racing and assist other competitors in serious personal danger. Failure to do so shall result in lifelong disbarment from Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver racing.   

3. Any boat withdrawing from the race must notify the officials as soon as possible.   

4. The organizers shall make every effort to provide other safety measures according to the difficulty of the course and the experience of the paddlers. Safety boats and/or other safety measures shall be provided along the course.   

5. Every reasonable measure must be taken to remove any disabled boats or equipment obstructing the course.  

6. Safety personnel should not assist contestants if the latter specifically refuses help. However, once assistance has been accepted, the competitor(s) is automatically disqualified (unless any of the competitors in under the age of 19, including mixed age group classes) and should be listed as DNF even if the competitor(s) continues on to the finish line.

7. Competitors must at all times be in a position to free themselves immediately from their boats.

  Article XVIII: DETERMINING THE RESULTS   

The lowest elapsed time from start to finish determines the placement of the competitors.   

Article XIX: PROTESTS   

A Jury/Protest Committee must be appointed by the Race Chairperson with the approval of the sanctioning body.   

1. A protest during a competition must be addressed to the Race Chairperson not later than one hour after completion of the race. If protests involve a violation of the rules, the Chairperson may decide; if the protest involves interpretation of the rules, said protest must be referred to the Protest Committee.   

2. A late protest shall be referred to the Race Chairperson of said race, in writing not later than 10 days following the completion of the race, and accompanied by a fee of $10.00. If the protest is upheld, the fee is returned to the protester.   

3. Competitors have a right to appeal to the National Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver Committee a decision of the Protest Committee within 30 days from the announcement of said decision.   

4. A protest concerning the right of a competitor to participate must be handed to the Race Chairperson, not later than one hour before the start of the competition. A protest against the right of a competitor to participate may be lodged with the National WWOCD

d Committee within 30 days after the competition if it is based on facts which became known later than one hour before the start of the competition.

  Article XX: AMENDMENTS   

1. These rules are to be in effect beginning January 1 of the year adopted. These rules and regulations may be amended only by a majority vote of the National WWOC Committee. The complete proposed amendment(s) must be submitted to the Chairman of each Division for discussion at least three weeks prior to the date on which the National WWOC Committee will take final vote thereon.   

2. The National WWOC Committee may issue interpretations and supplementary rulings on questions as they arise. Such rulings shall take effect immediately upon publication, and shall be noted within the body of the rules.

APPENDIX I ‑ BOAT SPECIFICATIONS

APPENDIX II ‑ FLOTATION

APPENDIX III ‑ SCHEDULE INFORMATION

Two-Day Events

(Year 1)

DAY 1: OC-2 Classes: (Mixed), (All Female), (10-12), (13-15), (10-16/25)

OC-1 Classes: (All Male)

DAY 2: OC-2 Classes: (All Male)

OC-1 Classes: (All Female), (10-12), (13-15)

All Sprints

(Year 2)

DAY 1: OC-2 Classes: (Mixed), (All Male), (10-12), (13-15), (10-16/25)

OC-1 Classes: (All Female)

DAY 2: OC-2 Classes: (All Female)

OC-1 Classes: (All Male), (10-12), (13-15)

All Sprints

(Year 3)

DAY 1: OC-2 Classes: (Mixed), (All Female), (10-12), (13-15)

OC-1 Classes: (All Male)

DAY 2: OC-2 Classes: (All Male), (10-16/25)

OC-1 Classes: (All Female), (10-12), (13-15)

All Sprints

Three-Day Events

(Year 1)

DAY 1: OC-2 Classes: (All Female)

OC-1 Classes: (All Male), (10-12), (13-15)

DAY 2: OC-2 Classes: (All Male), (10-12), (13-15)

OC-1 Classes: (All Female)

DAY 3: OC-2 Classes: (Mixed), (10-16/25)

OC-1 Classes: (None)

(Year 2)

DAY 1: OC-2 Classes: (Mixed), (10-12), (13-15)

OC-1 Classes: (None)

DAY 2: OC-2 Classes: (All Female)

OC-1 Classes: (All Male), (10-12), (13-15)

DAY 3: OC-2 Classes: (All Male), (10-16/25)

OC-1 Classes: (All Female)

Year (3)

DAY 1: OC-2 Classes: (All Male), (10-12), (13-15)

OC-1 Classes: (All Female)

DAY 2: OC-2 Classes: (Mixed), (10-16/25)

OC-1 Classes: (None)

DAY 3: OC-2 Classes: (All Female)

OC-1 Classes: (All Male), (10-12), (13-15)

Note:

Sprints for the three-day racing agenda would be held either on DAY 2 or the same day as each class on DAYS 1,2 and 3. For example, if the sprints were held on DAY 2 of the event in the first year of rotation, then the following classes would have to race both sprint and the downriver races on the same day. All OC-2 Classes for Males both 14% and 16%; all OC-2 Male and Female classes in the (10-12) and (13-15) age groups, and all OC-1 classes for Females both 14% and 16%. All other classes would race only sprints on DAY 2.

For those classes racing the sprints and down river race the same day maximum time would be allowed between their sprint start and their downriver start. If the above schedule were used, the OC‑2 Male classes would be the first sprint classes away, followed by the (10-12), and (13-15) OC-2 classes for both Males and Females, followed by all the OC-1 Women’s classes. All of the classes scheduled for DAY 1 and DAY 3 would then follow in the sprints, and at their conclusion, the down river races for the DAY 2 classes would start. In the second year of rotation a different group of Classes would race both sprints and downriver on the same day, and so on!   

If the race organizers decide to have the sprints on each day for the downriver classes scheduled for that day, then all competitors would do their sprints and downriver race on the same day. That is, DAY 1 in the first year of rotation would have those classes shown doing both the sprint and downriver on that day, DAY 2 would have those classes shown doing the sprint and downriver on DAY 2, and on DAY 3 the OC‑2 Mixed, (both14% and 16%), and the (10-16/25) would do both the sprint and downriver races.

Four-Day Events

(Year 1)

DAY 1: OC-2 Classes: (All Female)

OC-1 Classes: (All Male), (10-12), (13-15)

DAY 2: Sprints

DAY 3: OC-2 Classes: (All Male), (10-12), (13-15)

OC-1 Classes: (All Female)

DAY 4: OC-2 Classes: (Mixed), (10-16/25)

OC-1 Classes: (None)

(Year 2)

DAY 1: OC-2 Classes: (Mixed), (10-12), (13-15)

OC-1 Classes: (None)

DAY 2: Sprints

DAY 3: OC-2 Classes: (All Female)

OC-1 Classes: (All Male), (10-12), (13-15)

DAY 4: OC-2 Classes: (All Male), (10-16/25)

OC-1 Classes: (All Female)

(Year 3)

DAY 1: OC-2 Classes: (All Male), (10-12), (13-15)

OC-1 Classes: (All Female)

DAY 2: Sprints

DAY 3: OC-2 Classes: (Mixed), (10-16/25)

OC-1 Classes: (None)

DAY 4: OC-2 Classes: (All Female)

OC-1 Classes: (All Male), (10-12), (13-15)

Note:

In the four-day event format, competitors would race their downriver races and sprint races on separate days. Race organizers would have the option to schedule the sprints on any one of the four days, Day 2 is used only as an example here.