RACE
RULES AND REGULATIONS
The Long Beach Dragon Boat Races will be managed by
the Long Beach Dragon Boat Tournament Committee, that is
appointed by the International Culture Exchange Association.
Table of Contents:
I. CONDITION
OF ENTRY TO RACES:
Each
participant agrees to:
-
Abide
by the race rules and requirements of the races.
-
Conduct
him/herself consistent with good sportsmanship, friendship
and respect for the traditions of the Dragon Boats
and culture of participating countries, organizations
and individuals.
-
Waive
any claims against the Race Committee, ICEA, Long Beach Sea
Festival, the City of Long Beach, Co-Sponsors, and all
other and their members or race officials which may
arise from personal injury, death or damage to personal
property caused by participation in practice
or competition.
-
Use only equipment provided or approved
by Race Committee. Boats, and paddles life jackets are
provided. Competitors are allowed to use kneepads and
coast guard approved personal life jackets and paddles
approved by IDBF. Ski belts are not allowed.
Noise-making devices are not permitted.
However, intercom connection within the boat is allowed.
-
Paddle
from a seated position. For safety reason, standing
up or kneeling positions are not permitted.
-
In
the event of a team member falling out of the boat,
the team shall stop paddling and immediately recover
that person. The safety boats following the races
may assist, but it is the responsibility of the team
to rescue their own teammate.
- Any
intentional entrance of a teammate into the water
will result in automatic disqualification.
II. TEAM
COMPETITION:
Each team shall consist of a maximum of 23 members. A maximum
of 18 paddlers and a minimum of 14 paddlers should be on
the boat during the race : 18 paddlers, 1 drummer, and 1
steer
person.
The
final
team
roster shall be submitted to the race committee during the published date(s).
Signed waivers for
each team member are required prior to the race.
No
person who is not on the final team roster may paddle
for a team unless approved by the race chairman.
III. DIVISIONS:
- INTERNATIONAL
OPEN - International teams and all other teams
that have had previous competitive experience.
- WOMEN'S' - All
18 paddlers must be female.
- DIVISION
I - To include all
competitive and previous race experienced teams.
- DIVISION
2 - To
include some race experience.
- DIVISION
3 - Novice teams not of competitive
nature (comparable to recreational division)
- MASTER - Must
be 40 and older.
- GRAND MASTER - Must
be 50 and older.
- COLLEGE - All
teams members must be currently full-time enrolled in college.
- HIGH
SCHOOL - Must be currently 18 and under.
- Jr. HIGH
SCHOOL - Must be currently 15 and under.
- Elementary School - Must be currently 12 and under.
- Corporate
- Team members mut be employed or sponsored
by the company.
- Female Breast
Cancer Survivors - Must
be female and breast cancer recovered paddlers
- All Female
Cancer Survivors - Must
be female and cancer recovered paddlers
NOTE:
- Except
the International Open and Women's Divisions all
other divisions must be mixed with at least 6 female
paddlers; for the small boat division,
at least 4 female paddlers.
- In
the event that one division does not have at least
three teams, the Race Committee reserves the right
to move teams from their respective division to a
similar division to fill space.
- For
all divisions, there
are no
limitations on age or gender for your
drummer and steer person, except on Women's and Breast
Cancer Survivor division.
IV.
PRACTICE TIME SCHEDULE:
Each
team will have 6 hours of free practice time. (There
is a $50.00 per hour fee for additional practice time)
V. RACE
STRUCTURE:
- The
race committee develops an appropriate contest structure,
race schedule and competition program by taking into
accountant such factors as the numbers of teams,
minimum number of teams needed for a separate division,
time limitations, safety and other practical considerations.
- The
format for advancing is to
be announced in
mid-July depending on the enrollment in teams in
their respective division.
- In
the event of a tie between any of the boats in an
individual race, the situation will be discussed
in a team meeting.
VI.
TROPHIES AND PRIZES
Will announce later in July.
VII.
MARSHALING:
A
Captains meeting will be held(Date
will be announced later)
Communications
with officials by the team captain is encouraged; however,
For those that do not pay close attention to the
announcements made and to postings on the results board. The
team captain is responsible for conduct of the team members
on and off the water. Team leaders or captains
should communicate with Race Officials at all times.
The team captain is also expected to take charge during
an incident or a mishap on the water. The team captain, drummer,
or steersperson should conduct a head count, make sure everyone stays
together / re-check everyone until the rescue boat picks
everyone up.
VIII.
FALSE START:
If
a team false starts, the race will be allowed to continue
and a 6 second penalty will be added to the false starting
team's time at the completion of the race. You will be
disqualified after your second false start.
IX.
RACE CONDUCT:
- The
correct course for each boat is a straight line from
its starting position to the finish line. Each boat
must remain in its correct lane and must not interfere
with other boats.
- Any
boat failing to keep it proper course will be warned
by the referee. Boats must comply immediately with
referee's command. Failure to comply will result
in disqualification and the team will be assigned
last place finish in that race. (STAY IN YOUR
OWN LANE).
- The
official race course is approximately 500 meters
in length. The finish line will be marked by buoys. Teams are assigned to a particular land
and boats are marked accordingly.
- If,
in the opinion of the referee, a boat is deliberately
swamped or capsized, the race committee may disqualify
the team from any official standing and may refuse
the team's further participation in the races.
- If,
in the opinion of the Race Committee, a boat and
its equipment is deliberately damaged by team members,
the Race Committee may impose a financial and /or
disciplinary penalty. This rule applies throughout
the practice season and the race weekend.
- At
the conclusion of each race, the Finish Line Judge
will signal a fair race by waving a green flag. A
white flag results for each boat that properly crosses
the finish line.
- Upon
completion of their race, teams remain in their boats
and paddle directly to the dock, without delay. All
boats will be used in the next race; participants
should not linger at the finish line.
- Dock
at the proper spot on the dock according to lane
number. Disembark in an orderly manner. Leave the
paddles, and life jackets at the designated area. And, leave any anti-skid material and
drumsticks on board, or passing them to the next
racers if they are waiting.
X.
PROTESTS/DISPUTES:
Should
a protest or dispute arise, the team captain or captains
may make written notice to the Race Director or the Staging
Manger within 30 minutes of the incident. Consistent
with other international venues and in order to accommodate
costs incurred from stopping the races, a protest fee
of $100 U.S. currency is required with all protests.
The Race Coordinator,
the Head Judge and one other member of the Race Committee
will make a prompt decision on the matter. The team captain
will be informed orally of the decision. If the decision
is made in favor of the protesting team, the team is
refunded their protest fee.
XI.
DISQUALIFICATION:
The
Race Committee reserves the right to impose penalties
on a team or its members for any of the following problems.
Disqualification
may result.
- Violation
of safety procedures.
- Violation
of stated rules and established procedures.
- Arriving
late to the Marshall or start line and arriving late
to the dock after your race has been completed.
- Unsportsmanlike
conduct.
- Disobeying
reasonable requests or instructions from members
of the Race Committee, that is, the Marshall, Dock
Manager, Starter, Referee, and the Finish Line Judge,
or any other designated person.
- Willful
damage to loss of equipment.
- Violation
of sponsorship rules.
- Misrepresentation
of the race, event or organizer.
- You
may not use any player from a competitor's team unless
prior agreements have been made with race committee
and the other teams.
XII.
PENALTIES:
- The
teams will be designated the last finish in the race
for advancement. At that point, the team advances
as the schedule allows. (Minor infraction).
- Disqualification
of team members or the entire team from participation
in the races.
- Financial
reimbursement for damage or loss of equipment.
- Other
as deemed necessary by the Race Committee/Disciplinary
Committee is final.
XIII.
SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT:
- All
boaters must be wearing a properly fitted (coast
guard approved) life jacket.
- If
a boat swamps/sinks all team members must stay near
the boat and wait for the rescue boat.
- The
captain must assume command of his team, making sure
all members are accounted for.
- When
safety boat personnel arrive the boat captain will
surrender command to the rescue personnel.
-
If
a paddle breaks/drops, do not attempt to rescue it.
- Team leader and captain will be responsible for delivery
of their crewmembers signed waiver forms.
Attachment A: Team
Application Form*
Attachment B: Waiver
Form*
Attachment C: Team Biography
Form*
Attachment D: Team Roster*
*Viewing forms may require Adobe
Acrobat
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