Mandatory Pre-Race Briefing at that same place Friday, January 24 at 7:00 pm
Race Date Saturday January 25, 2020
Start Location: Under IH-35 adjacent to the Holiday Inn Town Lake on Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake) in Austin, Texas
Adventure Class Start Time 5am, January 25, 2020
Competitor Class Start Time 7am, January 25, 2020
Stand-Up Paddle Division Start Time NOON, January 25, 2020 at Utley/969 Bridge
Free dinner provided at the finish line (Fisherman’s Park, Bastrop) to all volunteers, support personnel and racers.
Rules and Safety on the Course
This is a United States Canoe Association sanctioned event. All racers must sign a waiver prior to starting the event. USCA rules and regulations must be followed at all times.
Racers will be provided with a numbers for the boats at registration. This number must be affixed to the left side of the bow, well above the water line. There is nothing going on on the right side.
Failure to check in at these points by either the racer or support crew will result in disqualification.
Cut-off times are enforced at the two checkpoints. See here, for a document with the required times and average speed.
Failure to reach the checkpoints or finish line by the required cut-off time will result in a DNF status.
If a paddler chooses to continue after the designated cut-off time they will do so at their own risk, without the support of the event staff.
Other than the Finish line, which needs to be reached within nine hours, there are no checkpoints for Stand-Up Paddle division.
Mandatory Equipment
Each participant must have a US coast guard approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD) in his/her possession while on the waterNOTE: Please review USCA rules and regulations on how to properly attach PFD's to your boat or SUP
Each boat must have one pea-less signal whistle, either securely affixed to a life vest or the boat in a manner which allows quick access
Cell phone or 2 way communication device
Minimum of 1 head light or bow lightNOTE: You have to have a light with you at all times, even for the competitor class!
2 Chemical lights, fixed to bow and stern of boat for pre-dawn travel (also called glow sticks or cyalume)NOTE: this is only a requirement for the adventure class
Method of carrying at least 1/2 gallon of fluid per person at all times
Space Blanket
First Aid Kit (no specifics)
Rain jacket (your choice, a garbage bag will also be sufficient)
Recommended Equipment
Spare paddle(s)
Warm clothing that stays warm when wet
GPS and/or Transponder (like SPOT)
Additional Head lamp(s) for portages
Fire starting material, hiking shoes, extra food, cash, unabridged volume of "Alive" or "The Donner Party Chronicles"
Adventure Class
This class is for the paddler who is in it for the challenge and adventure. If you are an adventure racer, recreational paddler or new to paddle racing then this is the class for you. If you are competitive in nature but don't have a race boat to back you up then this class is for you. If you just got a race boat and are still falling out of it then this class is for you. Adventure Class boats include, but are not limited to: aluminum, plastic, abs or fiberglass canoes, touring kayaks, surfskis, sea kayaks and sit on tops. Inflatable's & Rowing sculls are not allowed and boats must be paddled with either a canoe or kayak paddle.
Participants may use any type of canoe or kayak unless they fit the Adventure Class Exception below. Previous Competitor Class racers may not race in the Adventure Class unless they are in a recreational type boat. Previous Adventure Class winners who won their class in a recreational type boat may continue to race in the Adventure Class.
Adventure Class Exception A participant may not use a carbon or kevlar racing style boat in the Adventure Class if they have previously placed in their class or subclass in that boat in the Adventure Class. This holds true for either member of a tandem team. In order to assure the spirit of the Adventure Class remains as fair as possible, race administration reserves the right to determine the eligibility of an entrant into the Adventure Class, based upon the racer's experience and skill level.
Subclasses:
Solo - male & female
Tandem - male, female, & mixed
Competitor Class
This Class is geared toward the competitive marathon canoe racer. Previous marathon canoe racing experience is recommended.
Subclasses:
USCA C1 & C2 - male, female, & mixed
Unlimited Solo & Tandem - male, female, & mixed
ICF K1 & K2 - male, female, & mixed
For the Competitor Class only, $25 of each entry fee collected will be totaled for that subclass and will be distributed between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Prize Drawings
All Adventure and Competitor class racers will be entered and are eligible for prize drawings after the pre-race briefing on Friday. One award per racer and you must be present to win and no one else can collect your prise.
Race Support
While it isn't mandatory to have bank support, it's strongly recommended. Any public access points on the river may be used for this purpose.
Support is defined as any assistance given to the participant outside of substituting boats or paddlers. This includes, but is not limited to, water and food hand offs, disposal of trash and or hugs and kisses from loved ones.
When weather forecasts aren't great, it's also recommended that bank support crews have hot soup or some hot drinks available for the racers along the way along with some extra food. Calories will be burned, so eat and drink plenty.
For those wanting to travel without race support, they may self support by using any one of the several river parks that line the race course. Potable water should be available at these locations. Make sure to check in at the checkpoints when going unsupported.
Shuttles
You are responsible for your own shuttle after the race or when you do not finish. Below are available outfitters in the Bastrop area
Due to the extreme nature of this event the following age requirements are in place:
- Any solo participant must be at least 16 years of age.
- Any tandem participant must be at least 14 years of age and travel with an adult.
- All racers under the age of 18 must have waivers signed by a parent or legal guardian.
The Small Print
The organizers of this event reserve the right to revise any prior rules or regulations as a result of conflict, hazard, or unforeseen incident.
In the case of a cancellation of the race due to natural disaster will we refund each entrant as much as possible. No profit will be taken if the race is canceled. We appreciate your understanding in this matter. It is our sincere hope to put on the safest and best TWO possible.
