RACE RULES

Dragon Boats & Equipment

• Ten Hong Kong style dragon boats are used in this event. Each boat is fully equipped with dragonhead and tail, paddles, steering oar and drum.
• Teams may use their own paddles as long as they conform to required specifications. Any unmodified Grey Owl dragon boat paddle, or any paddle supplied by race organizers will meet event specifications. No substitutions are permitted!
• Fanny pack type Personal Floatation Devices (PFD) are NOT permitted for use in the race or practices. Only authorized PFD's will be permitted.

Race Venue & Logistics

• The Kiwanis Dragon Boat Festival is held at the Laurel Creek Conservation Area in Waterloo. The racecourse is a certified 5 X 500 m. closed course clearly marked with neon buoys. Electronic timing (manual backup) and finish line video replay record official race times and placing.
• A safety boat and referee boat will follow each race. If your dragon boat veers off course or becomes swamped, remain with the boat and wait for the referee and/or safety boat to arrive. Follow their instructions!
• The start sequence of the race is controlled initially by the referee. The referee directs the teams to within 20 metres of the start line (pre-start position). When all boats are in the pre-start position, the referee hands the race over to the starter. The starter then directs each boat, using lane numbers, to the start line. As soon as all boats are aligned and stationary, the starter voices the command "ATTENTION PLEASE", and within a 2-second period fires the starting gun.
• A false start is issued to any team that begins paddling, in whole or in part, prior to the gun. It is indicated by two short blasts from an air horn. A warning is given to the team(s) that false started that a second false start disqualifies them. In all cases, the starter has the right to call back the race for a re-start.
• Once a race has begun, each team is responsible for remaining in their respective lane until the end of the racecourse. A team that wanders outside the racecourse or into another lane may be disqualified, particularly if they interfere in any way with the progress of another boat. All referees' decisions are final.
• The finish line is marked with red buoys. The finish of each boat is recorded as the nose of the dragon breaks the plane of a sight line approximately 1 metre behind the red buoys. All crewmembers must be on board at the completion of the race or the boat will be recorded as a "Did Not Finish". All referees' decisions are final.
• Upon completion of the race, all crews must return to the marshalling area and follow instructions of the dock marshals so that the next heat can start on schedule.
• Official times and finishing positions are announced as results become available. They are posted at race headquarters and in the team marshalling area. Team positioning in the division semi-finals is posted as soon as possible upon conclusion of the qualifying heats.

Race Schedule Format

• The race schedule is available via fax or e-mail attachment, and on our web site under the heading Bulletin Board, or by calling (519) 699-9300, Mr. Jamie Meek. It also is posted on site on race day. It consists of a series of morning qualifying heats, and divisional semi-finals and finals during the afternoon based on the results of the morning's heats.
• Each team races a minimum of three times, with the possibility of qualifying for a final fourth race for the overall festival championship. Certain crews may also be eligible to participate in special category races e.g. E-Commerce Challenge Race.
• The Teams that qualify to race in the "Grand Championship" for the Kiwanis Cup will be 1. The Open Champions 2. The Colleges and Universities Champions 3. The next four fastest teams that raced in the Finals (Third Race) regardless whether they are in a Championship Race or a Consolation Race. The winning times in the Finals between the Open Champs and the Colleges & Universities Champs will determine lane designation.

Lane Designation Formulae

• Lanes selection in the Semi-Finals will be determined as follows: The divisions are divided into groups of 10 teams starting with the fastest time. Each of these divisions is run in two heats with the five (5) slowest teams in one heat and the five (5) fastest teams in the second heat.
• Lanes selection in the Finals will be determined as follows: The Winner of EACH HEAT will move into the Championship Race along with the next three fastest times of the remaining eight teams.
• The winner of the second heat in the semi-finals will be designated Lane 3,
• The winner of the first heat will be designated Lane 2,
• The next fastest team Lane 4, the next fastest team Lane 1,
• The next fastest team Lane 5.
• Should there be six lane racing they would be designated as such: Lane 3, Lane 4, Lane 2, Lane 5, Lane 1, Lane 6.
• Again in 2008. In the Grand Championship Finals lane selection will be given to the team with the fastest time in the Finals.
• The Teams that qualify to race in the Grand Champions Race for the Kiwanis Cup will be at least six teams So the following would apply:
• Winner of the OPEN Championship,
• Winner of the Colleges and Universities Championship
• The next FOUR fastest teams in the Championship races (Third set of Races) regardless whether they won their division or not.
• We want the very best Teams and fastest Teams to race in this exciting Finale.