Big East River X Competitor Details
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Big East River X
Marathon Paddling Race
CO MPETIT O R DETAILS
The Big East X Marathon event may not be the longest event however it still is demanding and
challenging. You must be prepared to race in excess of 4hrs, flat out, without stopping. It is
expected that you be in good physical condition and reasonable health. It is also expected that
you have a high degree of competency in paddling. You must be completely self-sufficient for
the entire race, carrying all necessary supplies including food, hydration, and mandatory
equipment. The course will follow flat-water rivers however will cross Lake Vernon in a very
exposed area. Seasonal conditions can be unpredictable and can change quickly. The course is
not overly remote however there are some sections that have limited access. If you experience
an adverse event, you must be prepared and equipped to be self-sufficient in swimming to shore
or self-rescuing. Safety boats will be patrolling the waters however you cannot assume that a
safety boat will be within your immediate vicinity.
The Big East X Family/Recreation event is intended to be a social, friendly, and fun event for
the whole family. Being only 9km, the course has been designed to be achievable for most
paddlers. It is expected that you be in good physical condition and reasonable health. It is also
expected that you are competent in paddling and can complete the event without outside
assistance. The course follows flat-water rivers and ventures only briefly into Lake Vernon. If
weather is unpleasant, the course will be adapted to keep paddlers within sheltered waters.
Paddlers need to be completely self-sufficient for the entire event, carrying all the supplies
including food, hydration, and mandatory equipment. Paddling is a very safe activity, when all
the appropriate safety precautions have been made. That said, a watercraft can capsize with
little notice therefore if you experience an adverse event, you must be prepared and equipped to
be self-sufficient in swimming to shore or self-rescuing. Safety boats will be patrolling the
waters however you cannot assume that a safety boat will be within your immediate vicinity.
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Big East River X Competitor Details
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2015 EVENT and REGISTRATION DETAILS
ITINERARY
REGISTRATION
Location:
Date:
ALGONQUIN OUTFITTERS (inside the store)
Friday, June 19, 2015: 3pm to 9pm
Saturday, June 20, 2014: 6am to 7am (Marathon)
Saturday, June 20, 2014: 6am to 8am(Family/Rec)
Fees: $40/pp/online - $50/pp/on-site (An additional $5/pp will be added to cover costs
associated with insurance for any participant who is not able to demonstrate registration with the
Ontario Marathon Canoe Racing Association, at the time of registration.)
Event Start
Location:
Event Date:
Event Start:
RIVER MILL PARK / ALGONQUIN OUTFITTERS
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Marathon Pre-Race Briefing: 0730hrs-0745hrs
Marathon Race START TIME: 0800hrs
Family/Rec Pre-Race Briefing: 0830hrs-0845hrs
Family/Rec Race START TIME: 0900hrs
Drop-Zone is temporary parking only for boat/gear drop off.
All vehicles must quickly move to designated parking.
No parking zone in the lot beside River Mill Park: Town event is being held there.
Registration Desk is located inside the Algonquin Outfitter’s store.
Pre-Race Briefing is located in the rear lot, outside of Algonquin Outfitter’s store.
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Big East River X Competitor Details
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Course #1:
Family-Recreational Race
• Town Dock Area – Muskoka River – Lake Vernon – around island – return
• Flat, deep water
• Total Distance:
9km
• Number of Portages: 0
Course #2: Marathon Course
o Town Dock Area in Huntsville, upstream, along the Muskoka River into Lake Vernon. From
Lake Vernon, teams will paddle up the Big East River crossing under the Hwy 11 Bridge after
which teams will return along the same route, completing the race at the River Mill Park. Out
and Back.
o Flat water, deep, lake and river
o Total Distance:
40km
o Number of Portages: 0
CATEGORIES
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Big East River X Competitor Details
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Family-Rec Race (9km)
o C2 Rec:
o Adult: tandem male-female-mixed (>18yrs)
o Family: tandem 1 adult (>18yrs) + 1 bantam (<13 yrs)
o Junior: tandem (14 to17yrs)
o K1 Touring:
o Adult: male-female (>18yrs)
o Junior: 14-17yrs
o SUP Open
o Adult: male-female (>18yrs)
o Junior: 14-17yrs
Age Limits: No individual 13yrs or younger shall compete in the race unless accompanied by an
individual 18yrs of age or older. Competitors 17yrs or younger require a signed waiver of liability
completed by the parent/guardian.
Marathon Race (40km)
o OC1: open class
o OC2: open class
o C1 Marathon/Pro: open class
o C2 Marathon/Pro: open class
o C1 Stock: male/female
o C2 Stock: male-female-mixed
o C2 Rec: male-female-mixed
o K1 Touring: male/female
o K1 ICF Racing: open class
o SUP Open: male/female
Age Limits: No individual under the age of 13 years shall compete in the race. Individuals who are
13-17yrs may compete when accompanied by an individual 18yrs of age or older. Competitors 17yrs
or younger require a signed waiver of liability completed by the parent/guardian. No competitor under
the age of 18yrs shall compete in OC1/C1/K1/SUP categories.
Boat Classifications & Specifications
C2 Marathon/Pro
• Canoes with concave hulls, designed specifically for flat-water racing.
• Maximum overall length 18 feet 6 inches; minimum width 27 inches, 3 inches above the
bottom, measured within 12 inches of the longitudinal centre, not counting keels, at the widest
part of the canoe. Minimum width at the gunwales, skin to skin, shall be 33 inches, within 12
inches of the longitudinal centre. Minimum 15-inch high bow measured from the bottom
baseline.
• Skegs or rudders are not permitted.
C1 Marathon/Pro
• Canoes with concave hulls, designed specifically for flat-water racing.
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Big East River X Competitor Details
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Hull specifications shall conform to current USCA specification in effect. In addition,
OMCKRA recommends that tarps and bailers be permissible. Currently USCA rules are 18’ 6”
maximum length and beam ratio of 0.14375 of the length (i.e. maximum beam of 32”)
measured 4” above the bottom and within 12” fore and after of the center of the canoe.
Minimum bow high is 15.5”and minimum depth is 11.5”.
Skegs or rudders are not permitted.
MRX-Class C1 Stock
Length:
Maximum of 17’2” / Minimum 15’
Width:
No minimum / No maximum.
• Canoes with concave hulls are not permitted. Pro-class or modified boats that are specifically
designed for flat-water racing are not permitted.
• If you intend to use a canoe not included on the pre-approved list, please indicate the
manufacture and model at the time of registration to ensure specifications can be clarified in
advance for pre-race approval.
• Skegs or rudders are not permitted.
Pre-approved C1 canoes are as follows:
Swift:
Shearwater
Blue Water:
Splitwater
Wenonah:
Advantage; Prism; Encouter; Solitude; Solo Plus;
Wilderness
Grasse River Boatworks: Classic; Classix XL
Mad River:
Independence;
Bell Canoe Works:
Magic; Merlin II; Touring;
Savage River Works:
Blackwater; Otegan (modified)
Souris River Canoe:
Tranquility
Clipper Canoes:
Freedom; Solitude
Sawyer:
Summer Song; DY Special; Shock Wave
Placid Boatworks
Rapidfire; Shadow
H2O
Solo 16-6
MRX-Class C2 Stock
Length:
Maximum of 18’6” / Minimum 17’
Width:
Minimum of 14.4% of length at 4” waterline
(i.e., 32” for 18’6” length / 29.4” for 17’ length)
Depth:
Minimum @ Bow (17”); Centre (12 ½”); Stern (16”)
• Canoes with concave hulls are not permitted. Pro-class or modified boats that are specifically
designed for flat-water racing are not permitted.
• Skegs or rudders are not permitted.
• If you intend to use a canoe not included on the pre-approved list, please indicate the
manufacture and model at the time of registration to ensure specifications can be clarified in
advance for pre-race approval.
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Pre-approved C2 canoes are as follows:
Handcrafted Canoes
Grand River; Nith River
Swift
Winisk; Temagami; Keewaydin
Langford
Northwind
Blue Water
Freedom Explorer 17’9”; Freedom Tripper 17
Wenonah
Jensen 17’; Jensen 18’; Sundowner; Minnesota II; Odyssey
Champlain; Escape 17’ 6”; Escapade
Grasse River Boatworks Traveler 17’ 5"; Traveler 18’ 6"; Monarch
Mad River
Lamoille; Horizon; Expedition 18’6” & 17’6”
Bell Canoe Works
Northwind; Northwood
Savage River Works
Susquehanna
Souris River Canoe
Quetico 18.5; Quetico 17; Wilderness 18
Clipper Canoes
Jensen 17; Tripper; Ranger 17; MacKenzie 18’ 6”; Sea
Clipper; Whitewater II; Jensen 18 Stock
Scott
Trillium 17
Nova Craft
Cronje 17
Old Town
Koru; Penobscot 17 & 174; Tripper 172
Sawyer
Cruiser; 222 Cruiser
H2O
Horizon; Boundary
C2 Recreation
Any non-racing canoe that is 17 feet long or less with a minimum of 32 inches at the at the 4 inch
waterline.
K1 Touring
Any single kayak, sea kayak, sit-on-top or surf ski with a maximum length of 20’ and a minimum
width of 18” at the 4” water line. No hull medications permitted.
K1 ICF Marathon Racing
Any single kayak that meets ICF specifications for marathon racing with the hull length being no
longer than 17’. Example of K1 ICF marathon is as follows,
Stand-Up Paddle Board (SUP)
Open class with a minimum of 12’ in length with no maximum and no minimum or maximum width.
Outrigger Canoe (OC)
OC1: One-person outrigger canoe, no specifications.
OC2: Two-person outrigger canoe, no specifications.
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Example of OC1 is as follows,
Paddles
• All styles of paddles are permitted included bent-shaft paddles (canoe/SUP) and wing-style
paddles (kayak).
• Carbon, wood, or plastic paddles are permitted.
• All C1 & 2, OC1 & 2 and SUP must be paddled with single-blade paddles.
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT
In accordance with Transport Canada requirements for human powered pleasure craft, the following
items are required at all times during the event, while on the water.
Per TEAM at all times during the race
a. 1 paddle for each team member (spare paddle is recommended)
b. A buoyant towline of >50ft attached to the watercraft and accessible: “Throw bag” attached to
watercraft is acceptable.
c. Bailing device, bucket or pump (canoe/kayak)
Per INDIVIDUAL COMPETITOR at all times during the race
a. Life Jacket/Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) (U.S. Coast Guard/Canadian Department of
Transportation approved) must be worn at all times while on the water or in the water. Selfinflating PFDs are permitted.
b. Whistle (must be attached to the life jacket at all times)
Participants are strongly encouraged to bring cell phones with them during the event.
Cell phones can be used to call for assistance by calling (705) 349-2566.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
THE ORGANIZER
The Big East X is organized and staged by River X Racing Inc (Race Management). Race
management reserves the right to add, modify, replace or cancel venues or events at any time. Race
Management reserves the right to make changes and amendments to the rules and regulations at any
time. In the event that changes are made, Race Management will contact all registered teams with the
updates so that they may make the appropriate adjustments to their preparations for the race.
TEAMS
Each team (solo / tandem) must register in one of the defined categories. A team must consist of the
registered members throughout the race. No substitution is permitted after on-site registration is
complete. All members of the team must be in good physical condition and be of reasonable health. All
team members will be required to complete a medical form to verify this.
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REGISTRATION
1. Registration: Teams are encouraged to register in advance on-line or via mail. In order to be
considered “registered” the applying team must complete and submit all required registration
information plus payment in full. The 2015 registration fee has been calculated at $40/person
participant. This does not include relevant taxes or mandatory OMCKRA day fees of $5.00/per
participant for non-members.
2. Late Registration: Teams can register on June 19th and 20th, 2015 as described in the event
itinerary above, for a late registration fee of $50 per participant.
3. Registration Fees: Registration and supplemental fees (i.e., registration insurance, merchandise)
must be paid in full at the time of registration using the methods indicated. Registration fees
are determined annually prior the opening of the registration process. Race Management
reserves the right to change the registration fees from year to year.
4. Registration Insurance: Teams have the option of purchasing Registration Insurance for a fee of
$5 per team. Registration Insurance guarantees that the team will receive a full refund of
registration fees should they withdraw up to 1 day prior to the event: Any merchandise
purchases will be processed with the product being forwarded to the address provided at the
time of registration. Registration Insurance must be purchased and paid for at the time of
registration: There is no retroactive purchasing of Registration Insurance. If a team has
purchased Registration Insurance and withdraws on race-day, no refund will be awarded.
There are no exceptions to this policy and no transfers of fees to subsequent events.
5. Changing of Categories: Teams must decide on the category to participate in at the time of
registration (i.e., C1 Marathon/Pro, K1 Touring, etc.). If a team has purchased Registration
Insurance the team may change their category up to 1 day in advance of On-Site Registration
with no administration fee but will be required to pay any difference in registration fees should
they apply, or will be refunded any difference in registration fees. If a team has not purchased
Registration Insurance, the team may change their category up to 1 day in advance at an
administrative fee of $5.00 and will be required to pay any difference in registration fees should
they apply, or will be refunded any difference in fees. Changes to teams on race-day will not be
processed.
6. Withdrawing Registration without Registration Insurance: Teams that do not purchase
Registration Insurance and withdraw prior to the event will not be awarded a refund. Any
merchandise purchases will be processed with the product being forwarded to the address
provided at the time of registration. There are no exceptions to this policy and no transfers of
fees to subsequent events.
7. On-Site Registration: Each team must check in with Race Management for on-site registration as
detailed in the itinerary. During on-site registration Race Management will verify with the
team captain that all required paperwork is in order. To be considered an officially registered
team, each competitor must complete;
• Any outstanding payments
• Racer Authentication
• Waivers and Medical Forms
No refund will be provided if a team is unable to complete the on-site registration process. If
the team is unable to fulfill these requirements prior to the closing of On-Site Registration the
team will be disqualified from the event. There are no exceptions to this policy and no transfers
of fees to subsequent events.
8. Eligibility: No specific skills will be tested in registration. It is expected that all team
members are (1) competent in paddling the vessel indicated within their chosen category,
(2) of sufficient physical condition to compete for the duration of the event, (3) competent
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to self-rescue and (4) basic map reading/navigation. Team members assume full
responsibility for adequately preparing themselves, learning necessary skills, and physically
conditioning themselves for the unique demands of this event.
9. Restrictions: Race Management reserves the right to restrict access to the race for any team
without an explanation. Race management also reserves the right to remove any team from the
registered team list should race management feel that the team will not be suitably prepared for
the event or may act in a way that will be harmful to themselves, other participants (including
but not limited to competitors, volunteers, media, staff, community), or the event as a whole.
In this situation the team will be notified immediately of the decision and their full entry fee
will be refunded.
10. Cancellation of the Event: If the race is cancelled or postponed as a result of factors beyond the
control of Race Management, (including, but not limited to, severe weather, war, flood,
pandemic, or anything else that may make the event dangerous to participants, staff and
volunteers), Race Management will reschedule the race to the subsequent year. No refunds will
be issued if a re-scheduled date is not possible. If a new date is offered, no refund will be
granted to registrants who are unable to participate in the rescheduled event.
NAVIGATION
Teams will be provided with maps of the course. All waypoint/features necessary for navigation will
be indicated on the map. Navigation will be simple and straightforward with the vast majority being
“line of sight” navigation. It is recommended however that a compass be kept carried in the event that
a bearing is needed to confirm appropriate directions.
TIMING
There will be one official race clock for the entire race and all teams. The clock will start at the start of
the event. Teams showing up late for the start of their respective wave may start at the next wave, or
up to 30min after the start of their respective wave. Start times will not be readjusted to accommodate
late starting times. Teams starting 30min after their start time will not be ranked and will be
disqualified from the race: The entry fee will not be refunded
The clock will remain running until the pre-determined cutoff time for the race; announced prior to the
start of the event. The official time for each team will be recorded when all members reach the finish
line. If a team receives a time penalty for a violation of the race rules and regulations, they must wait
out the duration of their time penalty at a designated area prior to crossing the finish line. In so doing,
the order that teams cross the finish line will represent the official rankings and results.
TEAM RANKINGS
The first team to cross the finish line and with any penalties applied will be the winner. All team
members must be present at the time of passing through the finish line. Additionally, any team
requiring assistance from a non-competitor to reach the finish line will not be ranked. In addition to
overall rankings, there will be separate rankings for each race category.
TEAM IDENTIFICATION
All teams will be provided with an official identifier that the team can attach to the watercraft. The
identifier must be attached to either the bow or the stern at all times during the race and will be used to
authenticate the team upon its return to the finish line.
Teams are free to wear any other items or logos for their team sponsors. Logs, slogan, etc must be free
of profanity, vulgarity, or discriminatory references.
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SAFETY
1. Please refer to the OMCKRA web site for the complete safety policy
http://www.omcra.ca/Downloads/OMCRASAFETYPOLICY10.pdf
2. Teams are required to provide assistance to another team in distress. Teams failing to provide
assistance to a team in distress will be disqualified from the race. Teams that do offer assistance
in emergency situations may be awarded a time bonus to account for the time spent providing
assistance. In the event of a critical incident, for example, a capsized boat, broken paddle,
physical injury, etc., teams may receive support from another team. The only approved
external assistance that a team can receive, without accruing a time penalty, is assistance from
another registered team. No penalty will be incurred for receiving assistance from another
registered team. Teams may receive support from non-competing individuals in the event of an
emergency however if assistance is received in a manner that facilitates the completion of the
race, a time penalty may be applied.
3. All repairs to equipment that occurs during the race must be made with supplies that teams
have on-hand, or supplies provided by another registered team.
4. Severe weather conditions (i.e., high wind/wave, small craft warnings, etc) may restrict safe
travel for certain sections of the course. Race Management reserves the right to make changes
to the course or restrict travel on certain sections due to weather conditions.
5. During periods of active lightening, all teams are expected to remove themselves from the water
in the safest manner possible. Teams will remain on dry land until lightening has passed before
continuing the race. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
6. It is mandatory that all team members wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times during
the water sections of the course. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
7. On the following sections of the course will have a safety “chase” boat will be traveling and
sweeping the course: Muskoka River, Vernon Narrows, Lake Vernon. The chase boat will not
be traveling along the Big East River. In addition, the boat may travel up and back along the
lake route to monitor the status of teams. With that in mind, if you do have an adverse event,
don’t expect the boat to be in your vicinity at all times. It is your responsibility to ensure that
your team is competent in self-rescue techniques in open water or swim to shore.
8. While on the Big East River sections of the course, there will be no safety boat. At
predetermined locations, race staff will be stationed to monitor the status of teams. Teams not
accounted for within a specified amount of time will trigger an emergency response plan. With
that in mind, if you do have an adverse event while on the river don’t expect immediate
assistance from Race staff. It is your responsibility to ensure that your team is competent in
self-rescue techniques in open water.
ALCOHOL, DRUG USE AND IV’S
The use of any illicit or illegal drugs, alcohol, or prescription medication not prescribed to the user for
that specific use is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification from the race and
removal from the course. Similarly, the use of IV’s other than those administered by race medical staff
is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification from the race and removal from the
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course. In cases of blatant disregard for this ruling, competitors or teams in violation may be
permanently banned from future races.
PENALTIES
Race Management reserves the right to issue time penalties to teams, disqualify teams from the official
rankings or remove teams from the course if they violate any of the rules and regulations of the race.
The severity of the penalty will be dependant on the severity of the offence and will be decided by the
Race Directors. The following is a list of violations.
• Missing mandatory equipment
• Not following the prescribed rules of safe travel (e.g. wearing approved life jacket)
• Receiving any outside assistance during the race
• Using any means of transportation not authorized by race management
• Any environmental damage
• Unfair behavior
• Intentional interference with another team’s progress
This is not an exhaustive list. Please contact race management before the start of the race if you have
specific questions regarding penalties.
Team Report of Violations
It is the responsibility of each team member to report all violations of the rules and regulations to the
Race Management. Violations can be reported at any point during the event but no later than on (1)
hour after the official end of the race. The forms for reporting violations will be available from race
officials at Check Points, and at the Finish Line.
Protest Form
A participant who wishes to lodge a protest shall submit the protest in writing accompanied by $50.00
protest fee to Race Management, no later that one (1) hour after the official end of the race.
Failure to Comply
All decisions by Race Management shall be final. Failure of a team member to comply with the rules
and regulations will result in disqualification, no ranking or time penalty as decided by race
management.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
All event participants must act in an environmentally responsible manner at all times during the Big
East X event, including during registration, pre-race activities and post-race activities. Specifically,
teams should obey the following principles:
1. No litter, gear or any other object will be left on the racecourse, at the start line or host site
except in designated disposal locations
2. All human waste must be buried or properly disposed of in all situations and must not be
done so within 50 meters of a water source (stream, river, pond, lake or otherwise)
3. No cutting of vegetation of any type or deliberately causing unnecessary damage to
vegetation or unnecessary erosion in areas with loose ground
4. Every effort must be made to avoid harassing animals of any type in their natural habitat. In
all encounters with wild animals the animal has the right of way
5. If a competitor or team notices litter, gear or any other object left by another participant it is
that teams responsibility to pack it out to the next checkpoint to be left with the checkpoint
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staff
Any team observed not acting in an environmentally responsible manner may be disqualified from the
event. Any team observed showing blatant disregard for the environment may be permanently banned
from future Muskoka River X events.
CATEGORY SPECIFIC RULES AND REGULATIONS
In addition to the rules and regulations indicated above, the following are rules and regulations that
apply to specific race categories:
SOLO
a. The same solo competitor must start and finish the race. If the solo competitor is not able to
complete the race for any reason, no substitution is permitted. If the competitor is unable to
finish the race the competitor must sign an official Waiver of Withdrawal form indicating this
fact.
TANDEM
a. Both team members must start and finish the race. If a team member is not able to complete
the race for any reason, the team may continue on course with a substitute but will relinquish
all responsibility and liability assumed by the Race Directors and must sign an official Waiver
of Withdrawal form indicating this fact.
SUP
a. Competitors must start and finish the race standing on the board. Competitors may sit on their
board for rest periods, without generating any forward movement.
b. Five Stroke Rule: If you fall you have 5 strokes to get back on your feet and stand up. This rule
is in effect so a paddler does not achieve an advantage by not standing up. You must complete
the course standing upon your board.
KAYAK
a. All kayaks will carry equipment sufficient for self-rescue for the entire duration of the race.
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