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Official Rules and Regulations

Download Rules in PDF Format

For a printable version of the official rules and regulations, download the PDF file or Word document.

4. RACES

1. Location
2. Race Scheduling
3. Pre-race Procedure
4. Race Procedure
5. Post-race Procedure
6. Race Penalties
7. Protests
8. Voice Commands

Location

Races will take place in the waters south of Samuel Meyer Park. Teams shall assemble at the designated areas noted on maps provided in the team packet.  

Race Scheduling

1. The starting order for all races will be determined prior to race day by The Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival, and be issued to Team Managers.   The starting order will also be posted at the marshalling area.
2. Each race will start as soon as possible following the race preceding it. Although the order of races shall remain constant, the start times shall be approximate. Each team must be prepared to race significantly before it's estimated race time. Team Managers are responsible for monitoring the progression of the races and ensuring that their team is ready to race when called upon, regardless of the estimated start time. In its discretion, The Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival shall not wait for teams which are not ready to start prior to their estimated race times.

Pre-race Procedure

1. Teams shall report to the marshalling area at least 45 minutes prior to the estimated start time of their race. Team Managers are responsible for reporting in.
2. Teams members shall board in accordance with the instructions of the Chief Marshall.
3. Teams shall board the Dragon Boat designated to them and will proceed to the start area on instructions from the Chief Marshall.
4. No more than two spare paddles may be boarded.
5. When proceeding to the start area, teams shall paddle beside the breakwater, without entering into the racing lanes, regardless of whether the racing lanes are in use or not, so that collisions can be avoided and so that congestion from turning Dragon Boats in the start area can be avoided.
6. Once in the start area, the teams shall hold in the start area, well back from the start, line facing down their lanes. Unless otherwise directed, teams shall not venture into the bay above the start area.
7. In the event of maneuvering difficulty caused by wind, the referee may direct teams to assemble in the bay above the start area, and then direct the teams to approach the start area as a group.

Race Procedure

1. The Referee shall have control of the race prior to the start. Only Steers-persons may communicate with the Referee, and such communication shall be kept to an absolute minimum.
2. In the Referee's discretion, without waiting for stragglers or waiting for teams, which have ventured into the bay above the start area, the referee shall ask the teams to "Please approach the start line." All teams shall immediately do so, lining up in the middle of their designated lanes, facing straight down the course, not crossing the start line, and holding in position approximately one-half Dragon Boat length from the starting line.
3. If, in the referee's opinion, a Steers-person is not capable, the referee shall direct that that team withdraw from the race.
4. Once satisfied, the Referee will transfer control of the race to the Starter with the command: "Mr./Mdme. Starter, the race is yours."
5. The Starter shall assume control of the race with the reply: "Thank you, Mr./Mdme. Referee." 
6. The starter will ask each crew to bring their Dragon Boat up to, but not over the start line.
7. The starter will instruct each team as to how to position itself.
8. Once all teams are in the middle of their lanes, facing straight down the course, not moving forward, and not having crossed the start line, the Starter shall call: "Attention please!" and within two seconds sound the start horn.
9. Upon hearing the starting horn, each team shall proceed to the finish directly along the middle of its racing lane, without crossing out of its racing lane, without encroaching on the side of its racing lane, and without riding the wake of another Dragon Boat.
10. A false start shall be indicated by the Starter sounding the start horn a second time. The Referee shall assist the starter in communicating a false start by sounding the megaphone siren. Steers-persons and Drummers are responsible for noticing if a false start has been called.
11. After a fair start, the Referee shall resume control of the race.
12. The Referee shall follow the Dragon Boats down the course, and if necessary and where possible, direct Steers-persons to maintain the middle of their lanes.
13. If a Dragon Boat appears to be losing directional control, is crossing out of its lane, is encroaching on the side of its lane, or is riding the wake of another Dragon Boat, the Referee, in the Referee's discretion, may either stop that Dragon Boat, or any or all other Dragon Boats, so as to avoid possible collisions.
14. If the progress of a Dragon Boat is affected by another Dragon Boat, the referee shall halt the race and issue a re-start.
15. If, for any reason, circumstances arise such that the Referee, in the Referee's discretion, determines that a race should be halted, then the Referee shall halt the race and issue a re-start.
16. If a Dragon Boat is not steering straight down the course, its crew shall immediately hold the Dragon Boat (jamb their paddles into the water and stop the Dragon Boat) so as to prevent the Dragon Boat from crossing out of its lane or spinning out.
17. Restarts make take place immediately, or may be held later in the day, at the discretion of the Referee.
18. At the finish, the Referee will signal a clean race with a white flag, and a penalty with a red flag. Penalties shall be reported by the Referee to the Chief Official.

Post-race Procedure

1. Upon crossing the finish line, all teams shall proceed along the shoreline back to the docks, being very careful to not turn broadside into Dragon Boats still finishing.
2. Paddlers with access to bailing buckets shall bail continuously from the finish until back at the dock. Paddlers shall not splash or otherwise deliberately bring water into the Dragon Boat. Upon arrival at the dock, each Dragon Boat shall be substantially free of water and be ready for the next race.
3. Teams shall approach the docks at a dead slow pace so as to avoid collision damage.

Race Penalties

1. Teams missing the start of their race shall be disqualified from that race. Neither the Marshall, the Referee, nor the Starter are obliged to wait for tawdry teams.
2. Any Dragon Boat false starting will be penalized 5 seconds. Any Dragon Boat false starting for the second time in the same race will be penalized an additional 10 seconds.
3. Any Dragon Boat affecting the progress of another Dragon Boat will be penalized 20 seconds.
4. Any Dragon Boat crossing out of its lane but not affecting the progress of another Dragon Boat will be penalized 5 seconds.
5. Any Dragon Boat not obeying instructions from the Referee shall be disqualified at the discretion of the Referee. The onus is on the team, particularly the Drummer and Steers-person, to keep alert to such instructions, particularly while progressing down the course.
6. General sanctions continue to apply in addition to race penalties.

Protests

1. Any protest must be lodged by the Team Manager with the Chief Official within fifteen minutes of the conclusion of the protested race. The cost of lodging a protest is $100, payable in cash at the time of the lodging of the protest.
2. The Chief Official shall summon the Race Committee. The Race Committee shall render a decision on a majority basis.
3. There is no appeal of the Race Committee's decision.
4. If the application is successful, the $100 protest fee shall be returned to the Team Manager.

Voice Commands

1. The following voice commands will be used by The Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival provided Steers-persons:

2. Attention - Used to get all paddlers' undivided attention.
3. SIT Up - When paddlers hear this command it is the signal to sit upright, have their paddles across their laps and to be ready for the next command.
4. Paddles Up - The signal for paddlers to instantly assume the paddling position (paddles raised above the water, bodies in position to paddle). They will hold this position until the next command is issued.
5. Take It Away - or Go or a sound device, such as an air horn - This is the signal, issued with considerable gusto, to commence paddling. Should be preceded by instructions as to whether this is a racing start, a slow and easy effort to get the boat moving, or even just a given number of strokes for maneuvering purposes, for example, "five easy strokes forward."
6. Let It Run - The command to stop paddling immediately.
7. Left side pull - Paddlers on the left side of the boat lean out and paddle sideways to move the boat to the left. The same command can be given to the right side of the boat to move it in the opposite direction. Other variations for boat maneuvering include calling on the left front, right front, left rear or right rear paddlers to sidepaddle.
8. Back paddle - All paddlers stroke in reverse to move the boat backwards.
9. Stop the boat - Paddlers thrust blades vertically into water and dig in to bringing boat to a halt.
10. Hold water - Paddlers use variety of strokes (above) to maintain the position of the boat on the water despite wind, current etc. Typically used during pre-race positioning.
11. Steady the Boat - Paddles horizontal with flat blades resting on top of the water to stabilize the boat.

 

The Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival