Short Course

SHORT COURSE RACE RULES

1. The Fish River Canoe Marathon Short Course is BR Rated according to CSA rules and  ICF regulations. The total distance is 46km – 20km on Day 1 and 26km on Day 2.  No qualifying races are needed, but all Entrants must be river proficient as the Entry Lists go to the Unions for  verification! All entrants from foreign countries must satisfy the EPCU and Fish Safety Officer of their ability to handle the racing conditions presented by the Fish River Canoe Marathon.
2. Sweeps have the right to take incompetent paddlers off the river.
3. CSA approved life jackets are compulsory on both days. These will be checked and if incorrect, paddlers will be prohibited from taking part. Helmets are not compulsory, but recommended.
4. Private sponsorship: No clothing or equipment bearing logos, nor products in direct conflict with the race sponsor’s market will be permitted. During TV and Media interviews, paddlers must ensure they are wearing race sponsor’s apparel.
5. Valid CSA registration numbers and Sponsor decals must be placed on both side of the front deck of the boat. Other sponsorship must be placed on the rear deck or on the sides behind the front point of the cockpit. Batch stickers must be placed on the front left hand deck and be clearly visible.
6. The winner is the competitor completing the race in the shortest total time.
7. There will be a Le Mans start at Soutpans Rapids on Day 1 and at Baroda Bridge on Day 2. The starting time for Day 1 is at 10:00 and for Day 2 at 08:00.
8. 10 litres of buoyancy (in the front AND at the back) is compulsory and will be checked. Beach balls and bottles are ONLY permissible if secured to the boat.
9. During the race, paddles may be exchanged but NO boats are allowed to be replaced. No outside assistance of any kind is permitted, except in an emergency.
10. Withdrawals from the race must inform an official (wearing an officials bib) and SMS both boat and paddler number to the Withdrawal Number on their wristband ASAP.
11. The area behind any line of buoys is NO MAN’S LAND! If entering you will be disqualified.
12. Any appeal must be lodged in writing, with a member of the Jury, within one hour of the  competitor completing that specific leg of the race. R50 must accompany the protest. CSA rules will apply.
13. No competitor under the age of 14 years is allowed to compete in a K1
14. Cradock Weir is a compulsory Portage for all Short Course entrants. Any Short Course paddler attempting to shoot Cradock Weir will be disqualified.
15. The organizers reserve the right to :
    a.Disqualify, penalise with a time penalty, or apply appropriate disciplinary action against any competitor in breach of the marathon rules or who tries to improve their position in a dishonest way.
    b.Enforce the withdrawal of any number of participants whenever the safety or health of   participants is endangered.
    c.Amend or add to the rules at any stage. No changes or amendments to the rules will be allowed unless approved by the chief official.
    d.The organizers reserve the right of entry.
    e.Unless sound reasons can be given, a canoeist who disobeys any rules – whether specified in the brochure, on the entry form, in the pre-race notes or given at the pre-race meeting – will be disqualified.
16. K1 and K2 craft allowed. K3 craft only permitted subject to the following conditions:
    a.All paddlers in the K3 must be competent and qualified to do the Fish.
    b.The Front paddler must have completed at least two Fish River marathons, either in a single or in the front of multi seated boat.
    c.All K3s will be batched with K2s of similar competency according the CSA ladder.
    d.K3s must, at all times, give way to the racing class.
    e.K3 crew must be considerate to other participants as they are paddling a large craft that may hinder smaller more manoeuvrable boats.
    f.K3 entrants must have their entry forms signed by their Union Safety Officer stating that all the paddlers are suitably qualified to do the Fish River Marathon.
17. The Race Committee’s decision will be final and the marathon committee and sponsors accept no responsibility for any loss, damage, injury or death resulting from the race.