Race Rules and Regulations

All Rules and Regulations are based on the International Dragon Boat Federation Members Handbook (2nd Edition, 1/1/1997) AND Local rules and regulations developed by Facility Marketing Group Inc.'s Organizing Committee.

A. Fundamental Rules:

Safety: The first priority of all competitors is the safety of their crew and all other crews involved. Assistance must be rendered as required Fair Play: CONDUCT OF CREWS. �Any Dragon Boat Crew or competitor who attempts to win a race by other than honorable means, or who deliberately breaks the Race Rules, or who disregards the honorable nature of the rules shall face disqualification from the competition.� (Reference: I.D.B.F. Competition and Rules of Racing).

B. Race Details:

1. The minimum race crew is sixteen (16) paddlers, one (1) drummer and one (1) steerperson. All MIXED teams must have a minimum of eight (8) female and eight (8) male paddlers.
2. Crews exceeding 22 members (incl. steerperson and drummer) on board will be disqualified.
3. Only crew members on the waiver/roster are allowed in the dragon boats.
4. Races are 500 meters in length, unless otherwise stipulated.
5. A team cannot finish a race unless all crew members who started the race are present in the boat.
6. Teams will be assigned lanes, by number, and must line up and
7. All teams must complete all assigned race heats to be eligible for Awards.

C. Starting:

1. Boats must listen to Chief Race Official (Starter), and follow instructions clearly, when lining up for start.
2. Starters instructions will include procedures for boats to �hold', �back up', and �one minute to start' (not actually 60 seconds), while boats are lining up for the start.
3. Once the Chief Race Official feels boats are lined up evenly (at his/her sole discretion) in the designated starting area, the warning signal of �Attention Please!� will cue all paddlers of every competing boat to prepare for Start.
4. Chief Race Official will sound signal at any time after warning signal.
5. Drummers may not drum during Start procedures. Drummers must stop drumming if the Starter calls a False Start.
6. False Starts will be signaled by three sound signals after the start signal.
7. UNFAIR STARTS - When a crew �jumps the start', (which for the purpose of the Rules of Racing means that a crew has anticipated the Starters word of Command, or Sound Signal), and a �False Start' cannot be called, but in the opinion of the Starter a material advantage has been gained by the crew or crews, the Starter may award a �Time Penalty' to crew or crews in question.

D. Right of Way Rules:

1. A boat changing lanes during a heat may not pass in front of any team on the course. A penalty or disqualifications will be assessed at the time of race completion.
2. Any contact between boats will result in penalty or disqualification.
3. All boats must attempt to avoid contact at all times on the water.
4. A boat, which is not competing, must keep clear of all boats, which are competing.

E. Finishing:

1. Finish line will be between the Finish Buoys. When buoys are not present, the Finish Official on land will indicate the finish line.
2. For the Finish Line Officials to stop the clock, the Dragon Boat's bow (Dragon's nose) must cross the finish line.
3. Two horn sounds will blast when the last boat crosses the finish line. When your boat crosses the finish line, stay in your lane "let it ride" until horn (2) sounds. Check for clearance, then turn towards shore in a long, gentle, under-power turn and head back to docks as quickly and safely as possible.

F . Other Grounds for Disqualification and Penalty:

1. Any Team determined to have broken a rule, as defined in the Official Rules and Regulations or any Team not complying with the Safety Protocol, may receive a time penalty or disqualification, depending on the seriousness of incident.
2. Mixed Teams with less than 8 female or 8 male paddlers in a Race crew will be disqualified or assessed a penalty of 30 secs for breaking the rules and 2 sec. for each paddler that is missing.
3. Crew members that are �inebriated' will be disqualified from racing. The Organizing Committee has the sole discretion to deny any racer from entering a boat who they feel has been drinking or using banned substances.
4. Any alteration to festival equipment, switching positions/teams, standing, rocking or leaving the boat are not allowed and will result in a disqualification.
5. Discipline - (As per I.D.B.F. Competition Regulations & Rules of Racing, Part 2,R3.1.3) �The Chief Race Official shall be responsible for implementing the Disciplinary Code and additionally may disqualify any crew or competitor who behaves improperly or shows contempt by bad conduct or speech towards the Race Officials or any other persons, including on-lookers.'
6. Waivers � all team members must sign event waiver/roster form prior to team practices. Any waiver/roster form violation will result in disqualification for example; switching of team members, incomplete team (lack of participants). Absolutely no changes or additions to team waiver/roster form on event day.
7. No Standing in the boat while the boat is on the water. All team members must remain seated at all times.
8. All Life vests must be fully zipped up and properly buckled when received in Marshalling Area, these life jackets must be kept on until all team members have returned to the marshalling area after their race heat, disobeying this rule will result in a time penalty. Any Life Jackets not supplied by FMG must be Canadian Coast Guard and DOT approved.

G. Disqualifications and Time Penalties:

1. Any boat deemed disqualified (DSQ) by either the Organizing Committee or the rules, will receive a time of the slowest time for the day - PLUS five seconds
2. Disqualified times will not be considered qualifying times and will DSQ teams from awards.
3. Time Penalties which are assessed to Teams can range anywhere from 1 - 10 seconds.

H. Appeals:

1. Must be made by the Captain or Manager only.
2. The first protest must be made verbally to the Starter immediately following the heat in which the penalty was assessed.
3. The subsequent and FINAL protest should be made in writing to the Dock Marshall.
4. All protests MUST be made in writing within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the race heat in which the penalty was assessed.
5. The Dock Marshall will investigate the written appeal and discuss appeal with Festival Chairman and Race Starter. Festival Chairman will make the final ruling.
6. The ruling of the Festival Chairman is final and without appeal.

***NOTE: Adjustments to race course, times, race schedule and cancellation of race heats may occur due to a number of circumstances including weather, daylight, water conditions, safety, etc. These adjustments are a part of the event and are at the sole discretion of the Race Officials and are final, without appeal and without refund.