1 COMPETITION RULES ASSOCIATION DES COUREURS EN RABASKA (ACRA 2000) (RABASKA CANOE RACING ASSOCIATION) Adapted from the French (and official) version 2013-05-31 CHAPTER 1: TERMS INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITION In the following Regulation, something that isn t prohibited is considered to be permitted. During a race or competition, particular rules of the race can never modify the following rules, except if the purpose is to complete this rule, due to particular situations. In the following rules, unless determined, the following terms mean: ACRA : Association des Coureurs en Rabaska (ACRA 2000) Rabaska Canoe Racing Association Paddle: Single blade paddle which can have a bent shaft. Steering person: Member of a Rabaska team who sits on the sixth bench (in the back) and drives the Rabaska canoe; Chariot: None-motorized cart which has wheels (normally 2) to help for Rabaska transportation during portages; Appeal committee: Composed by ACRA executive committee; Sanction committee: Approbation committee composed by a director of each Rabaska team involved in a race or competition; Competitor: ACRA member who is part of a Rabaska team, competing in a Race or competition. His name must be written on the official registration form of the team for this race or competition and he must have paid his ACRA membership card; Race: Sprint or marathon. Marathon Race can be held in many stages, which can be held on more than one day. Competition sanctioned by the ACRA: Race that have been previously approved by ACRA administration committee
2 Wednesday night races: Timed training organized by ACRA taking place one evening on a weekday. Director: Representative of a team that is designated as such by the team members Team: Rabaska team, member of the ACRA, composed of a maximum of 17 members. For women s teams, 18 members are permitted. Eleven (11) members (minimum and maximum) of the team must always be present in the rabaska during a race or completion sanctioned by the ACRA A Rabaska team can be composed of up to four (4) members of ACCQ (Association des coureurs en Canot du Quebec) and a maximum of three (3) members of ACCQ at any time in the rabaska. Cases of exceptions will be submitted to the Director s of the teams. These will accept or reject (by a majority vote) a team that can not conform to this regulation. Women s team: Team whose all members are female. Two male members may also be part of this team as steering person only. Men s team: Team whose all members are male. One (1) or two (2) female members may also be part of such team (or more if accepted by director s vote) Mixed team: Team with a minimum of four women in the Rabaska at any time. There s no maximum of women in the team and in the Rabaska. Member: Person who paid membership fees to be a member of the ACRA; If a person is under the age of eighteen (18) at the time of its accession, it will have to be approved by the signature of a parent or guardian; Official: Person who was commissioned by the ACRA to replace the executive in office at a major competition Rabaska: Boat propelled by the human physical strength of a Rabaska team members only; measuring twenty-five (25 feet) minimum and a maximum of twenty-six (26) feet; with no spoiler, no rudder or any other changes to its hull. A Rabaska is equipped with six (6) benches the rear box can be considered as a bench; Feeding and paddlers change up: During a race, replacement of one or more competitors and/or delivery of drinks and food to the competitors in the Rabaska;
3 Life jackets: Personal Flotation Device (PFD) approved by Transport Canada CHAPTER 2: GENERAL POINTS 2.01 Application of Regulation The Regulation applies to any race or any competition sanctioned by the ACRA. 2.02 Competitor status The amateur status is awarded to any contestant and any team participating in a race or competition sanctioned by the ACRA 2.03 Team membership to ACRA Any team participating in a race or competition sanctioned by the ACRA must have paid membership fees to be member of the ACRA. At each race or competition sanctioned by the ACRA, the names of all team members must appear on the registration form, with their membership card number. 2.04 Competitors membership to ACRA Every competitor participating in a race or competition sanctioned by the ACRA must be member of the ACRA and have his membership card with him, on demand.
4 CHAPTER 3: CATEGORIES, EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIEs 3.01 Categories During a race or competition, there are three (3) categories for participating teams: - Women, for women s team; - Men; for men s team, and - Mixed, for mixed teams 3.01.1 For the team classification, only the competitors who are taking place in the Rabaska are considered; 3.02 Dimensions and specifications of a Rabaska The ACRA can check and measure a Rabaska before or after any race or competition. A team that has a Rabaska that does not meet the dimensions and specifications will be disqualified. 3.03 Personal floatation devices (Life jackets) The personal flotation devices used by competitors must be accessible at all times. During a rapid designated so by the ACRA at a pre-competition meeting, the competitors will have to wear and fasten properly their personal floatation devices. A team that does not respect this provision will be penalized of two (2) minutes for each competitor committing an offense. 3.04 Safety Equipment All teams must comply with Canada Shipping Act (RS, 1985, c. S-9) and its regulations, including the Small Vessel Regulations (CRC, Vol. XVII, c. 1487) and possess at any time during a race or competition, all the following equipment: - One (1) additional paddle
5 - Eleven (11) personal floatation devices, easily accessible; - One (1) whistle - One (1) scoop; - One (1) unsinkable rope of a minimum length of 15 meters; and - One (1) functional flash light. The ACRA can check the equipment of a team before and after a race or a competition. A team that will be missing, before a race or competition, one of the articles mentioned above will not be allowed to start the race. For each missing item mentioned above, a team will be penalized of one (1) minute.
6 CHAPTER 4: RACE AND COMPETITION RULES 4.01 Registration A team will have up to one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes before the start of a race or a competition to provide to the ACRA his completed entry form and the amount related to its registration, unless another delay is required by the promoter. Each team must designate, in advance and write it on the registration form, the name of the director authorized to represent the team. One (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes before the start of a race or competition, the ACRA will notify all directors of teams of the time and place where the pre-race meeting will be held. 4.02 Pre-Race information meeting The ACRA will plan and hold a pre-race information meeting with the directors and the steering person of each registered team, 60 minutes before the start of a competition. The meeting will end thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled start time to allow directors and steering person to pass the information to all their team members. At this meeting, the ACRA will provide directors and steering persons the following information: - A plan or sketch of the course, showing: the start line, the finish line, the buoys, the rapids (designated or not), barriers, portages, docks, supplies and required stops (if applicable); - All important information on the safety of the competitors; - The approximate distance of the race in kilometers; - The start time and procedure for the start - Security measures that take place throughout the course; - All the special rules for the particular race or the competition Any team that is not represented at the pre-race information meeting by its director and its steering person will not be allowed to start the race
7 4.03 Competitors identification All competitors must be clearly indentified in colors of his team during all the duration of a race or competition sanctioned by the ACRA. At the «Classique de Rabaska», every competitor must wear the bracelet that has been given by the ACRA and this bracelet must be visible at all times. A team that does not respect this provision shall be addressed a penalty of one (1) minute for each offense. 4.04 Feeding / Paddlers change up a) A maximum of six (6) people per team is allowed to supply the team; b) No feeding or change up on the water is permitted; c) Feeding must be made on the shore of the water course where the race or competition is held, and/or during a portage, if applicable d) During a paddler change up or feeding, no supplier can interfere with other teams. A team that does not comply with this provision will be penalized of two (2) minutes penalty for each offense. 4.05 Turns and passing of the buoys Any team should pass completely by the outside of a buoy located on the course of a race or competition; If a team goes inside a buoy, it will have to return to the back of the buoy and pass it by the outside. A team that does not completely pass a buoy by its outside will be disqualified. 4.06 Help to the competitors 4.06.01 Equipment drop If a competitor drops a paddle or anything else, anyone can get it and give it to him immediately. 4.06.02 Rabaska
8 During a race or competition, only the members of a team can carry and/or touch the Rabaska, even when putting the Rabaska in the water before the start or at the end of a portage; A team may use a chariot (cart) to help for Rabaska transportation. However, a women s team may be assisted by two additional persons who are not members of the team to transport the Rabaska; A team that does not comply with this provision will be penalized of two (2) minutes for each offense. 4.06.03 On the water Only team members can, by human physical force only, move the Rabaska on the water. A team may not receive any assistance, unless if capsizing. Any team that does not comply with this rule will be disqualified. 4.07 Priority of a Rabaska At any time during a race or a competition, the rabaska of a team preceding another team has priority. Any team that does not comply with this provision will be penalized of two (2) minutes for each offense. 4.08 Portages During a portage, a team can use a chariot (cart) to transport the Rabaska. All team members who come back in the Rabaska after a portage should complete the portage by foot from its beginning, where the Rabaska came out of the water and cannot begin the portage until the steering person is out of the rabaska. However, a women s team may be assisted by two (2) additional persons of their choice (4 men in total).
9 Any team that does not comply with this provision will be penalized of two (2) minutes for each offense. 4.09 Offenses and penalties 4.09.01 Any team or competitor who does not comply with any provision of this section will be assessed of a penalty of two (2) minutes for his team, for each offense: a) Harming another team, especially during paddlers change up, feeding or during a portage 4.09.02 Any team or competitor who does not comply with any provision of this section will be assessed of a penalty of one (1) minute for his team, for each offense: a) Not respecting the number of eleven (11) paddlers in the rabaska during a race or competition sanctioned by the ACRA. b) Exceeding the allowed number of ACCQ members in the team or in the Rabaska: one (1) minute by competitor exceeding the limit. 4.09.03 Any team that does not comply with a provision of this Regulation and for which no penalty is provided will be assessed of a two (2) minutes penalty for each offense. 4.10 Offenses and disqualifications Any competitor or supplier who commits any of the following offenses will have his team disqualified from the competition: a) Make two (2) false starts at the beginning of the same race or competition; b) Failure to follow the route of a portage; c) Be preceded by a motorboat. 4.11 End of the race No object or obstacle can be placed between the two (2) white buoys of the finish line.
10 A Rabaska is considered to have crossed the finish line when its bow touches the imaginary line between the two (2) white buoys marking the finish line. 4.12 Abandonment A team that drops the course before the end of it will be disqualified and have to notify the ACRA as soon as possible. In the event of a broken Rabaska (Only for a new start), teams will be allowed to start with a new Rabaska, if this Rabaska meets the standards. 4.13 Punishment and sanction procedure Three (3) types of offense can be penalized in a race or competition sanctioned by the ACRA. a) An offense related to the eligibility of a competitor; b) An offense related to the application or interpretation of this Regulation c) An offense related to a particular rule for a race or a competition. 4.13.01 Procedure for the punishment of an offense a) Only the director of a team participating in a race or competition may submit a request for sanctions on behalf of his team; b) An application for sanction must be filed and given within thirty (30) minutes after the arrival of the last team; c) A sanction request may be made orally to a member of the executive of the ACRA d) In the case of a sanction request for the eligibility of a competitor, it is up to the team filling the request to provide proof of the inadmissibility of the concerned competitor. 4.13.02 Decision-making sanction committee process i - Convening Committee sanction a) The executive member of the ACRA who received the sanction request is responsible for calling the sanction committee. b) The sanction committee have to meet has soon as it is convened.
11 ii Decision a) Any member of the executive committee of the ACRA who is part of an involved team in the application of the sanction is automatically excluded from the sanction committee; b) The concerned team which the sanction request is against and the team who filed the sanction request, throughout their respective directors, may take part in the committee. These teams must have been convened by the Executive member of the ACRA who received the sanction request. However, these teams have no right to vote; c) The sanctions committee vote on the sanction request, it accepts or rejects it; d) In the case where the sanction committee reaches an impasse during the vote, executive members of the ACRA that are being involved in the same category as the team involved by the sanction request will be excluded from the vote. iii Sanctions committee decision telling Any decision by the sanctions committee will be made verbally to the director of the team that filed the sanction request and to the director of the team concerned by the sanction. This decision will be made as soon as possible on the same day as the race or competition takes place. 4.14 Appeal procedure Two (2) types of appeals may be filed in a race or competition sanctioned by the ACRA: a) Appeal related to the eligibility of a competitor;; b) Appeal concerning the application or interpretation of the present Regulation. 4.14.01 Procedure for filing an appeal request a) Only the director of a team participating in the race or competition may deposit an appeal on behalf of his team; b) Any appeal must be completed within sixty (60) minutes following the award of a penalty; c) The cost to deposit an appeal form is 150,00$. If the team that is deposing the appeal is right, it will recover 100,00$ from its deposit. If the request is not successful, the amount of 150,00$ will be kept by the ACRA.
12 d) In the case of an appeal concerning the eligibility of a competitor, it is up to the team lodging the appeal to provide proof of the inadmissibility of the concerned competitor. 4.14.02 Appeal committee decision process i Convocation of the appeal committee a) The executive member of the ACRA who receives the appeal request is responsible for calling the appeal committee; b) The appeal committee will meet as soon as it is called; c) The appeal committee is composed according to the following table: Category of the team deposing the appeal Women Men Mixed Members of the appeal committee One director of every men and mixed team One director of every women and mixed team A director of each team, except concerned teams ii Decision a) Any member of the executive committee of the ACRA being part of a team in the same category than the team deposing the appeal is excluded from the appeal committee; b) The executive member of the ACRA who received the appeal is responsible for the management of the appeal committee; c) The member of the executive of the ACRA who received the appeal must not take part in the discussions of the appeal committee. Is has to supervise and moderate the committee. d) The team that deposed the appeal, through its director, may take part in the discussions of the protest committee. The team must be convened by the executive member of the ACRA who received the appeal. However, this team has no right to vote; e) The ACRA executive member who received the appeal make sure that each member of the appeal committee had an opportunity to express his opinion; f) When the executive member of the ACRA who received the appeal ends the discussion concerning the appeal, he asks the members of the committee to vote on the approval or rejection of the appeal. Each director has one (1) vote and cannot abstain from voting.
13 g) In the case that the members composing the appeal committee are an even number and that the vote is equal, the executive member who received the appeal will have to decide. iii Response of the Appeal Committee a) Any decision of the Appeal Committee will be made by a written form and is final. The decision will be made as soon as possible on the same day as the race or competition is held; b) In the case that the complainant team would succeed, the amount of money accompanying the appeal will be returned to the team; c) If the complainant team does not succeed, the money amount will be held by the ACRA. 4.15 Prizes giving If no member of a team is present, without a good reason at the end of a race or competition, the prizes, awards and trophies being awarded to this team will remain property of the ACRA. CHAPTER 5: OTHERS 5.01 Responsibility The ACRA cannot be held responsible for any damage that may occur during a race or competition to something owned by a competitor and/or a team. 5.02 Modification or repeal of this Regulation Only the members of the ACRA in a general meeting may amend or repeal this Regulation. 5.03 Membership cards Every competitor must be a member of the ACRA and must have a membership card in his name to that effect. The card is valid from January 1 st to December 31 st of the current year.