Sponsored by Oakview Baptist Church 677 SW 32 Street Okeechobee, FL 34974 863-763-1699 Christian Team Trails The Trail Continues 2015-16 Trail Dates to Classic: 2015 2016 October 3 rd January 2 nd November 7 th February 6 th December 5 th March 5 th April 2 nd - Classic (Teams must qualify) Tournament Director: Jim Fowler Tournament Officials: Bill Bartlett, Terry Gauger, Don Roberts, Nancy Schirck, Bill Seitz, Kevin Williams 2015 2016 Information Packet All tournaments will launch at safe daylight and weigh-in will be at 1:00 PM. Weigh-In is conducted at the Okee-Tantie Weigh-In Station--Unless otherwise notified prior to tournament. This is the start of the 12 th season for Oakview to operate the CTT. Our goal is to keep this a premier Tournament on the Lake - with a fantastic finale, our annual Bill Conway Christian Team Trails Classic. The Classic has improved annually, just as the CTT has succeeded in doing, since our first season in 2004-2005. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Classic qualifications: Each angler must fish 4 of 6 Tournaments. (See rule #20 & Safe Water Level-Pg 3) Entry Fee: $80.00 per boat Please make checks payable to: Oakview Baptist Church. Payment may be made early in the Administration Building (Bldg. C) of the Church, 677 SW 32 St., Okeechobee, FL 34974. Phone: 863-763-1699. The fee must be paid in cash on Thursdays at the church during the week of the tournament or at the ramp on the day of the tournament in order for us to have the cash for payout. Payout Schedule: (Explanation of $80.00 Fee) $10.00 per boat goes to Big Fish. $5.00 per boat goes to Classic. (See rule #20) $5.00 per boat to help supplement tournament expenses. (Oakview supplements the remaining cost of each tournament and Classic. This is not a money-maker, but a ministry of Oakview. Their generosity allows our per boat cost to remain low in payout ratio.) $60.00 per boat goes to Tournament winners as follows: Tournament pays 1 place per every 5 boats. There is no charge for the door-prize tickets. Each fisherman is given one free ticket to be used at weigh-in. Under 18 yrs old? You must see page 3!!! Born after January 1, 1988? You must see the Safety requirements on page 3!!! Reminder: You can speed up the registration process by having your forms filled out and/or Notarized prior to arriving at the ramp. CTT Forms can be printed from our Website, @ oakviewbaptist.com or you can get a copy at our Church Office. If you complete the Waiver and Release Agreement and get it Notarized, your time for sign in will be much quicker. If Notarized, that form will cover all tournaments, on the following dates: October 3, 2015, November 7, 2015, December 5, 2015, January 2, 2016, February 6, 2016, March 5, 2016 and, assuming you qualify for the Classic, April 2, 2016. Again, a Notary will eliminate your need for any other forms this season. See- Safe Water Level Pg 3 Should you have any questions please contact the Church Office or any of the tournament officials. Page 1 of 6
Christian Team Trails Sponsored by Oakview Baptist Church Tournament Rules & Information (Please read carefully) 1. **Participant Black Bass Exemption permits must be provided to each tournament participant. The names of the participants (fishermen) shall be filled in by the permittee (Director) or a tournament official. Any participant in a tournament for which an exemption permit has been issued is required to have a valid participant permit which has been signed by the permittee in his or her possession at all times during the tournament. 2. **Each boat will have one or more functioning aerated live well(s). Each live well(s) shall be inspected by the permittee or a tournament official, prior to the tournament s starting time, to ensure live well(s) are operating properly. All boats must have required Coast Guard safety equipment & kill switch. 3. All boats must have water-craft liability insurance in effect & life jackets must be worn at all times that the combustion engine is running. 4. Starting position will be the same order as sign up with payment. All boats must start and finish from the same location. (Unless otherwise specified by Tournament Director.) 5. Fishing time shall be from safe daylight until 1:00 pm unless otherwise specified by the Tournament Officials. In the event of fog, the launch team will determine if a launch can be accomplished. 6. No culling fish at the ramp allowed. (Penalty = disqualification) 7. Once a boat has been launched, it cannot be reloaded and transported to another location during tournament hours. Contestant must fish from the boat at all times. (Penalty = disqualification) 8. Any contestant late for the weigh-in at the designated site shall be penalized one pound per minute. We will wait 5 minutes after the last person on time has weighed their fish. After this, you are disqualified. 9. No contestant (for safety reasons) should leave the weigh-in site until he is certain that a Tournament Official has checked off his name. Any contestant leaving the water earlier than the designated weigh-in time is requested to notify another contestant or call the cell phone of a Tournament Official. 10. There will be a limit of five fish per team, twelve inches minimum, measuring by the closing mouth and sweeping the tail, using the golden rule. Any short fish will result in disqualification. 11. **Dead fish are not to be culled by a participant & must be a part of the weigh-in. There is a penalty of four ounces per dead fish. Violation of this rule will put our tournament s existence in jeopardy. 12. No live bait shall be permitted in tournament fishing. No trolling, fly fishing or wading. Artificial lures only may be used. 13. No contestant shall fish within 50 yards of another contestant s boat when anchored & trolling motor up. 14. All protests must be submitted in writing to Tournament Director before pay out. 15. All winners must be willing to submit to a Polygraph test, if requested. 16. NO Alcoholic Beverages or illegal drugs shall be consumed during tournament fishing period. Since we encourage a family environment at the weigh-in, NO Alcoholic Beverages or illegal drugs shall be present at the weigh-in. We thank you in advance for honoring this request. Ignoring this rule could result in disqualification &/or expulsion from CTT. 17. Boat engines must not exceed HP rating plate & safe boating must be conducted at all times. 18. Substitute boats not registered with Christian Team Trails must have proof of insurance at the ramp. 19. Payment at the ramp is cash only. $80.00 per boat. If you pay early by check, make checks payable to: Oakview Baptist Church. Please note C.T.T. on the memo line. 20. Qualification for the annual Bill Conway Christian Team Trails Classic Tournament requires that each angler must fish in 4 of 6 trail tournaments. Official trail dates are Oct. - March, with an April Classic. All Classic money collected from trail will be added to entry fees for the Classic Payout. Please try to qualify and enjoy the challenge. Payment for the Classic can be made only after March 13 th. See Safe Water Level Pg 3 21. All boats are asked to remain inside the appropriate LOCK areas covered by the tournament exemption forms. Any boater found outside the allotted area will face disqualification. ** = These are regulations imposed by the State. Failure to follow these rules can put our tournament s existence in jeopardy. Page 2 of 6
Christian Team Trails Information SAFE WATER LEVEL Minimum lake level to start the tournament is 12. If at any time during the tournament season the water level drops below 12 the tournaments will be suspended until the water level has moved back above the 12 minimum. If, due to low water level, the tournaments are suspended, the tournament officials will announce the revised qualification for the Classic. PROCEDURES FOR FOG DELAY In the event of fog, and since our concern is always for the safety of fisherman participating in the CTT bass tournaments, the Oakview CTT tournament launch team will determine if a launch can be accomplished at safe-light or, if foggy, how to cautiously proceed. Plan #1 If, due to fog conditions, we do not think a traditional tournament boat launch can be accomplished with a high degree of safety we will delay the launch until such time that the CTT tournament officials determine it is safe to do so. We do understand time restraints placed on you with our 1:00 1:15 p.m. weigh-in, but due to Florida Game Commission regulations we are not able to change the weigh-in time. Plan #2 Prior to 7:00 a.m. a full refund can be issued, if requested by your team s boater, at the sign-in table. Acceptance of this option will cancel your participation in the tournament. Be sure you don t need to fish this tournament to qualify for the Classic. CTT Angler, In order that we can speed up the registration process when you get to the boat ramp, please print appropriate form needed, (located @ oakviewbaptist.com) and complete a copy of the Waiver and Release Agreement form(s). If completed and notarized, this form will cover tournaments on the following dates: October 3, 2015, November 7, 2015, December 5, 2015, January 2, 2016, February 6, 2016, March 5, 2016 and, assuming you qualify for the Classic, April 2, 2016. Your cooperation in bringing a FULLY COMPLETED, SIGNED AND NOTARIZED form to the registration table will greatly speed up the process. See- Safe Water Level - above. NOT 18 yrs. OLD YET??? YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFO. BELOW Born after January 1, 1988, SEE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS BELOW!!!! CTT Tournament Angler (Under the age of 18) In order that we can speed up the registration process and allow any angler under the age of 18 to participate please print and complete the Waiver and Release Agreement and also the Indemnification form (pages 5 & 6). These forms will cover tournaments on the following dates: October 3, 2015, November 7, 2015, December 5, 2015, January 2, 2016, February 6, 2016, March 5, 2016 and, assuming you qualify for the Classic, April 2, 2016. See- Safe Water Level - above. Your cooperation in bringing a FULLY COMPLETED FORM (BOTH SIDES), SIGNED BY THE UNDERAGE ANGLER S LEGAL GUARDIAN, (THE FORM MUST ALSO BE PROPERLY WITNESSED and NOTARIZED) to the registration check in will greatly speed up the registration process. CTT Tournament Angler (Born after January 1, 1988.) Boating Safety Education Requirements The State of Florida passed a law that took effect January 1, 2010. This new law requires that anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 and is the operator of a boat, has taken a State boating safety exam and has in their possession a boating safety identification card. You will be required to provide Oakview Baptist Church a copy of your personal identification (driver s license) and a copy of your boating safety identification card. This may be done at the Oakview Baptist Church office or at the registration check in table (remember to bring copies since we won t have any way to make copies). Should you have any questions please contact the Church Office or any of the tournament officials. Page 3 of 6
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Christian Team Trails Entry Form Oakview Baptist Church, 677 SW 32 nd Street, Okeechobee, FL 34974 BOAT INFORMATION: (This should be for any boat that may be used this season by your team) Insurance Company: Make of Boat Ins. Policy # Ins. Exp. Date: I certify that my boat is properly insured (Liability Insurance) and equipped with all the necessary safety devices as required by U.S. Coast Guard plus operating live wells that satisfy Florida Game Commission rules. WAIVER AND RELEASE AGREEMENT Please read carefully before signing. This is a release of liability and waiver of certain legal rights. In consideration for my being permitted to participate in the activities of Oakview Baptist Church s Christian Team Trails Bass Tournament, (On the following dates: October 3, 2015, November 7, 2015, December 5, 2015, January 2, 2016, February 6, 2016, March 5, 2016 and if I qualify April 2, 2016. See- Safe Water Level Pg 3) I agree to the following Waiver and Release: I acknowledge that Bass Tournament Fishing has inherent risks, hazards, and dangers for anyone that cannot be eliminated, particularly in a wilderness environment. I UNDERSTAND THAT THESE RISKS, HAZARDS, AND DANGERS INCLUDE WITHOUT LIMITATION: 1. The risk of boating, and being around other boaters; 2. The risk of injury from boating and/or falling out of a boat; 3. Fishing on natural lakes, including encounters with wildlife, animals and insects; 4. Inclement weather conditions; 5. The risk of injury from riding on or driving a high speed vehicle across water and/or land; 6. The risk of injury from the use of trailers, and being around others using trailers. I understand the risks, hazards, and dangers of Tournament Fishing and have had the opportunity to discuss them with my family and/or those in charge of the tournament. I understand that these activities may require good physical conditioning and a degree of skill and knowledge. I believe I have that good physical conditioning and the degree of skill and knowledge necessary for me to engage in these activities safely. I understand that I have responsibilities. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary. No one is forcing me to participate and I elect to participate in spite of the risks. I AM VOLUNTARILY USING THE SERVICES OF Oakview Baptist Church s Christian Team Trails Bass Tournament WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE INHERENT RISKS, HAZARDS, AND DANGERS INVOLVED AND HEREBY ASSUME AND ACCEPT ANY AND ALL RISKS OF INJURY, PARALYSIS, OR DEATH. Lastly, I, for myself, my heirs, successors, executors, and subrogates, hereby KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE AND RELEASE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS Oakview Baptist Church, & Oakview Baptist Church s Christian Team Trails Bass Tournament, their directors, officers, agents, employees, and volunteers from and against any and all claims, actions, causes of action, liabilities, suits, expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) which are related to, arise out of, or are in any way connected with my participation in this activity including, but not limited to, NEGLIGENCE of any kind or nature, whether foreseen or unforeseen, arising directly or indirectly out of any damage, loss, injury, paralysis, or death to me or my property as a result of my engaging in these activities or the use of these services, animals or equipment, whether such damage, loss, injury, paralysis, or death results from negligence of my boating, fishing, or from some other cause. I, for myself, my heirs, my successors, executors, and subrogates, further agree not to sue Oakview Baptist Church, or Oakview Baptist Church s Christian Team Trails, as a result of any injury, paralysis, or death suffered in connection with my use and participation in the activities of Oakview Baptist Church s Christian Team Trails. I have carefully read & agree to abide by all the tournament rules & procedures for fog delay, and I clearly understand, and voluntarily sign this waiver and release agreement. Date: Signature: Print Name: Mailing Address: City: State: Zip: Certificate of Acknowledgement of Notary Public DOB: DL# State of ) ) ss *Social Security #: Phone: County of ) Email: I, the undersigned, a notary public, whose commission by the above state expires on, do hereby certify that the above named signatory(ies), determined by me to be the same person(s), whose name(s) is(are) subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared before me this day in person, and acknowledged having signed said instrument as the free and voluntary act of said signatory(ies) for the uses and purposes therein set forth. This certification is given under my hand and Notarial Seal this day of 20. * It s the Law. IRS regulations require 1099 s be issued to anyone winning $600 or more per calendar year. However, did you know? Tournament expenses may be deductible up to the amount you win? Example, boat gas, oil, entry fees, bait, equipment, etc Receipts for entry fees are available upon request. If less than 18 years of age, parent, guardian or custodian must sign the reverse side of this form!!! Page 5 of 6
Christian Team Trails Oakview Baptist Church 677 SW 32 nd Street Okeechobee, FL 34974 If less than eighteen years of age, parent, guardian, or custodian must sign the following indemnification: INDEMNIFICATION In consideration for the above minor being permitted by Oakview Baptist Church to participate in the activities of Christian Team Trails (On the following dates: October 3, 2015, November 7, 2015, December 5, 2015, January 2, 2016, February 6, 2016, March 5, 2016 and if I qualify April 2, 2016. See- Safe Water Level Pg 3) which include, without limitation, the use of its services, animals and equipment, to fishing and riding in a boat, I agree to the following waiver, release, and indemnification: The undersigned parent, guardian, or custodian of the above minor, for himself/herself and on behalf of said minor, hereby joins in the foregoing Waiver and Release and hereby stipulates and agrees to save and hold harmless, indemnify, and forever defend Oakview Baptist Church &/or Christian Team Trails, their directors, officers, agents, employees, and volunteers from and against any claims, actions, demands, expenses, liabilities (including reasonable attorneys' fees), and NEGLIGENCE made or bought by said minor or by anyone on behalf of said minor, as a result of said minor's participation in the activities of Oakview Baptist Church &/or Christian Team Trails and his or her use of the property, animals, if any, and facilities of Oakview Baptist Church &/or Christian Team Trails. I, for myself and on behalf of said minor, further agree not to sue Oakview Baptist Church &/or Christian Team Trails as a result of any injury, paralysis or death that said minor suffers in connection with his/her participation in the activities of Oakview Baptist Church &/or Christian Team Trails. Date Signature of Parent, Guardian or Custodian of Minor Printed Name of Parent, Guardian or Custodian of Minor Print Name of Minor and Date of Birth Date Certificate of Acknowledgement of Notary Public State of ) Witness )ss County of ) I, the undersigned, a notary public, whose commission by the above state expires on do hereby certify that the above named signatory(ies), determined by me to be the same person(s) whose name(s) is(are) subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared before me this day in person, and acknowledged having signed said instrument as the free and voluntary act of said signatory(ies) for the uses and purposes therein set forth. This certification is given under my hand and Notarial Seal this day of 20. Page 6 of 6