Scottish Canoe Association

Marathon Racing Rules

This page contains the Rules of Competition for Mrathon Racing in Scotland as laid down by the Marathon Committee of the Scottish Canoe Association and are additional to rules laid down by the International Canoe Federation relating to equipment and the conduct of paddlers.

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RULES

1 All competitors must abide by the Rules of the Marathon Racing Committee and to any additional rules set by the race organiser.

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ELIGIBILITY

1 All competitors in SCA ranking races must be members of the Scottish Canoe Association, or another recognised National Governing Body. Non-members may participate in a maximum of two events over the mini course on a trial basis after which time they shall be required to join the SCA if they wish to participate in further ranking events. Non members participating on this basis will not be eligible for SCA trophies, ranking points or Hasler points.

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RACING

2 Competitors shall race at all times in a fair manner. The only means of propulsion shall be by paddle. In the absence of specific SCA rules, the ICF rules covering equipment and the conduct of competitors during a race will be observed.

3 Wash hanging on Power craft, or other vessels not involved in the race, is not permitted.

4 All courses are as described on the maps in this handbook, or as notified by the race organiser. No alternative routes or portages, which shorten the course, are permitted.

5 In the event of a paddle breakage, a replacement must be used. The same craft must be used throughout the race.

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ENTRIES

6 Entries must be submitted on Marathon Racing Entry Cards, which must be fully completed, and should be sent to the organiser to arrive at least seven days before the race. Entries may be accepted on the day of the race at the sole discretion of the organiser who has the right to impose a late entry fee.

7 The race organiser has the right to reject an entry from any competitor whose boat or equipment standard is not to the organiser's satisfaction. The organiser may also impose a minimum standard of competence for entries to the event and may reject an entry from any competitor who is not deemed competent for conditions on the day. Any competitor whose entry is rejected shall not paddle over the race course.

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SAFETY

8 For all events, the following safety precautions will apply:

a: The buoyancy of each canoe must be sufficient to enable the craft and crew to be supported in the event of a capsize or when the craft is full of water,

b: The organiser may insist that approved buoyancy aids are worn or carried in the boat. All competitors under 16 years of age must wear buoyancy aids for all races.

c: Paddlers competing in closed cockpit boats (e.g. Slalom or White Water Racing Boats) on down-river courses must wear an approved crash helmet,

d: For the following events it will be advisory for all long and short course paddlers to have attained a competence level equivalent to 3-star placid water: Leukaemia Tay, Isla to Thistlebrig 10k, Grand Dunk, Long Tay, Tail o' the Bank, Kirkcaldy Tay, Tweed, Spey & Upper Clyde.

Where a paddler's level of competence is unknown they should be advised to enter the mini course where one is provided Any competitors failing to comply with these rules will not be allowed to participate in the race,

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PORTAGES

9 Assistance may not be provided or accepted at any portages except on the specific instructions of the race organiser. Competitors with physical disabilities or injuries which require such assistance should make arrangements with the event organiser before the start of the race.

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NUMBERS

10 Each competitor will be issued with a number bib or board which must be clearly visible at all times. These numbers must be returned to the organiser at the end of the race.

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PROTESTS

11 Any competitor who wishes to protest any aspect of the conduct of a race, including the accuracy of the results, must do so in writing to the event organiser within 30 minutes of the production of the race results.

12 If necessary, the organiser will provide a protest committee of three persons, of whom one will be the SCA Marathon Racing Committee representative for the event. At least two will not be members of the organising club [or the club(s) involved in the protest].

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THE DIVISIONAL SYSTEM

13 All paddlers will be ranked in 1 of 9 divisions according to their current ability, based on results achieved during the current or previous season. The rankings listed in this yearbook will apply for the start of the season, and these will be updated regularly during the year.

14 Any paddler previously ranked who does not compete for one season may apply to the committee for re-ranking before competing again.

15 Paddlers new to racing should consult with the National Coaching Co-ordinator if they are unsure of their entry point to the system

16 Three courses will be offered at most events. Paddlers should enter these courses according to their current divisional ranking status. Division 1 - 3 paddlers should race over the Long Course, Division 4 - 6 paddlers over the Short Course and Division 7 - 9 paddlers over the Mini Course. At some events, there will be no Long Course offered. At these races there will be two separate classes offered over the Short Course and both classes will start together. At some events, where no suitable course is available, no mini course will be offered.

17 Paddlers may race at a higher ranking than their current status, but no paddler may race at a lower ranking.

18 K2 rankings should be based on the average ranking of the two crew members, rounded up to the higher division where appropriate. e.g. a crew made up of a division 3 paddler and a division 5 paddler should race as division 4. A crew made up of a division 2 paddler and a division 5 paddler should race as division 3.

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RANKING LISTS

19 K1 Ranking lists are produced throughout the season for all three courses. For each race, all competitors' results are converted to a percentage of the winners time, using the formula:

Percentage = [1-{(individual time-winners time)/winners time}] x 100

20 Each paddler's overall ranking is based on their best 6 results over the season. If a competitor does not have the required number of results then one percent will be subtracted from the average for each result they are short.

21 In the event of a tie for any trophy at the end of the season, the competitor who has taken part in more ranking events will be deemed the winner. If both, or all, have taken part in the same number of events then the 7th best results will be taken into account and so on as far as necessary to produce an overall winner.

22 Visiting paddlers who are not eligible for SCA trophies will not he included for the purpose of preparing the ranking lists although they will be eligible for prizes at individual races.

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