Macclesfield & District Canoe Club
CHESHIRE RING RACE
CHESHIRE RING RACE - RULES 2009
1. ENTRIES
The organiser must receive entry forms and fees not less than 14 days before the race. Receipt of entry form and fee shall be deemed to indicate that the entrants have read, understood and accepted the rules. Entries may be accepted after the stipulated date subject to an additional fee of £5.00 per crew. Proof of current BCU membership will be required for each paddler at check in, failure to provide this will require the additional levy to be paid.
2. CREWS
a. For K2 or double Tourer 10 paddler relay. The team shall form 5 crews, each crew consist of one senior and one junior or female. The crews shall be nominated before the race starts, be maintained through the race and paddle the same sequence of sections. JUNIOR to be under 18 years of age on 1st January in the year of the race. SENIOR to be 18 years of age or over on 1st January in the year of the race. FEMALES may be counted as JUNIOR or SENIOR regardless of age.
b. All the way entries and any other reasonable form of relay team are also acceptable, e.g. solo K1, two person K2, two or three person K1, four person K2
c. Juniors must be accompanied by an adult while paddling or portaging, (this can be in the form of an adult in the same boat, in an accompanying boat, or keeping paceon the bank / towpath). A signed parental consent form must be presented for each junior before the race.
d. Entries from Juniors for all the way attempts will not be accepted
3. SAFETY
In paragraphs a to j paddlers(s) refers to the team member(s) participating in the current relay stage, whether on the water or portaging.
a. Unsupported entries are not accepted. The support party must carry a mobile phone, the telphone number of which must be given to the race organiser. This phone must have stored the numbers of the race organiser and Raynet. (Raynet being the organisation that provides radio coverage for safety purposes at night). The support party must consist of at least one adult, who may also be a member a relay team.
b. Each boat must contain sufficient bouyancy to keep it afloat in the case of a capsize.
c. Each boat must be equipped with a survival bag and a first aid kit.
d. All competitors must be able to swim 50 metres in canoeing clothing.
e. All paddlers must wear a serviceable lifejacket or bouyancy aid (conforming to CE standards) with a whistle attached.
f. During darkness each paddler must have an activated white light stick attached to the right shoulder of his or her bouyancy aid.
g. Each boat must be equipped with a torch for use in emergencies (with spares carried by the support crew).
h. Four x 20 p pieces to be attached to each boat together with a note of the race organiser's number and Raynet's number.
i. A mobile phone (in a waterproof, non-submersible container) must be carried on the person of the paddler (or by one of the craft's relay paddlers). This phone must have the numbers of the support crew, race organiser and Raynet.
j. It is not permitted to shoot any weirs. ALL (five) tunnels must be portage
4 CANOES
a. The double Tourer canoe must not be greater than 520cm long and must be greater than 65 cm width.
b. The only method of propulsion shall be by single or double bladed paddles.
c. Portage wheels and rudders may be fitted and used.
5 IDENTIFICATION
All canoes must display the official race entry number.
6 STARTING
Crews must report to the start marshal at the stipulated check in time and be ready on the water 5 minutes before the start for their class
7 CHANGE -OVER
Change over must be at the points as attached list and these will be manned by marshals. Only the paddlers leaving the canoe and the paddlers joining the canoe should assist the change over. Assistance by others is not permitted.
8 TRANSPORT
The crews for subsequent stages will be transported by their own support party to the relevant change-over points.
9 FEEDING
Crews are permitted to receive food and drink at any point along the course.
10 OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE
a. Crews are permitted to obtain assistance from any source to repair canoes, paddles or equipment sustaining damage during the race. Canoes under going repair shall not be removed away from nor along the canal tow-path unless carried by its own crew and by no other persons. Paddles, rudders and clothing (including spray decks) may be replaced as necessary.
b. Medical assistance is permitted in the case of illness or injury.
c. Transport assistance for crews is defined in rule 8 above.
d. Each crew is solely responsible for portaging all locks and tunnels encountered on their sections.
e. A trolley may be attached to the canoe to assist portaging but if used then it must stay remain with the canoe for the entire race.
11 CONDUCT - CREWS AND SUPPORTS
a. Competitors and supporters must keep clear of other canoes at all times and must in no way obstruct the passage of other canoes. Any crew causing a collision or damage to another boat or equipment SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED.
b. All crews and their supporters must maintain an acceptable standard of conduct throughout the race. This is particularly important after dark when people may be asleep in nearby houses and moored narrow boats: any disturbance must be kept to a minimum.
c. Any crew member or supporter who persists in creating a noise or other form of public annoyance, or who fails to observe the instructions of any race marshal shall render the associated crew liable to disqualification.
12 PORTAGES
a. Canoes may only be wheeled or carried at recognised portages around locks and tunnel’s.
b. It is not permitted to gain advantage by wheeling or carrying a canoe to overtake a canoe on the water. The towpath or horse path must be followed.
13 RETIREMENTS
a. Any individual compelled to with draw through illness or injury may be replaced by another team member of the same age group.
b. If any canoe is compelled to withdraw from the race then the nearest marshall must be informed or the emergency number telephoned as soon as possible to prevent a false search being mounted.
14 TROPHIES
The winners of annual trophies are responsible for their safe custody and must return them to the trophy secretary by the 1st MAY of the year following the race when they were awarded.
15 INDEMNIFICATION
Macclesfield and District Canoe Club accepts no responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to competitors, support crew or equipment however caused. Remember the canal side can be a hazardous environment with water, unfenced locksides, trip hazards, slippery towpaths, brambles and nettles and the race passes through the dark of the night. You are responsible for the safety of your team and supporters.
A senior must always accompany a junior.
You are responsible for ensuring you do not obstruct the canal or towpath and for removing any debris or rubbish.
16 BREECH OF THESE RULES
Any crew failing to comply with these rules shall be warned that their actions will be reported to the Committee of the Macclesfield and District Canoe Club, and a quorum of the said Committee shall deal with the matter at its discretion after hearing the competitors case.
17 SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTE
The decision of the Committee of the M.A.D C.C. shall be regarded as
final as far as the race is concerned. Members of MADCC are reminded
that in addition their behaviour and the resolution of any complaints
is covered by the club's constitution.
Note
Cycling on the Bridgewater Canal towpath is NOT permitted as per the
Manchester Ship Canal Co rules.