Boatercross

The Boatercross is an exciting blend of downriver racing and roller-derby, all in playboat.

Date and Time

Sunday, June 26th from 1-3PM

Event Location

Competitors will meet at the Feeder Canal at 1PM. The closest available parking is at Lock 6 on Clara Barton Parkway; however, this is a small parking lot. Additional parking is available at Lock 5 and in Brookmont. Please arrive early to make sure you find a spot. If you choose to park in Brookmont, PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL. The residents are friendly to boaters and we'd like to keep it that way. The race will be held in the Feeder Canal, Z-Channel, and/or Little Falls depending on the river level, the number of competitors, how much time we have left, and the capricious whims of the event organizer.

Classes

There will be separate classes for K-1 and C-1, men's and women's. It takes 3 competitors to make a class. Encourage your friends to participate so there will be enough competitors to make a class!

Boat length

7'0 and under.

Course Description and Rules

The exact course will be determined by the event organizer and explained at the competitor's meeting. In previous years the first round has been held in the Feeder Canal, the second round in Z-Channel, and the final round in Little Falls. This saves time, adds variety, and raises the difficulty a notch in each round.

The general rules are as follows:

  • Competitors will be assigned to heats (usually 4-6 people per heat).
  • When announced by the Starting Judge, each heat will line up side by side, bows facing upstream or downstream (TBD).
  • The start will be a "rolling start," so that when the Starting Judge determines that all competitors in a heat are lined up evenly, he/she will immediately announce "GO" to start the race. (Note: since this is a head-to-head style race, timing is not required.)
  • When lining up competitors, the Starting Judge may ask competitors to "Back up" or "Move Forward" to ensure that the boats are lined up and nobody has an unfair advantage. Competitors should pay close attention to the Starting Judge, as he/she may announce "GO" at any moment after deciding that the boats are lined up evenly.
  • Any competitors who fail to respond to the commands of the Starting Judge may be disqualified from the race.
  • Each heat will finish before the next one begins.
  • The top 2 finishers from each heat (as determined by the Finishing Judge) will advance to the next round.
  • Competitors must keep both hands on their paddle during the race. This means you can't pull someone's spray skirt.
  • Incidental contact is to be expected (and encouraged) because this is a boatercross; however, reckless or mean-spirited contact may result in a disqualification (at the discretion of the judges).
  • If one of your fellow competitors is in danger, please assist him/her.

At the end of the race, competitors will have to paddle/carry back up the C&O Canal to Lock 6 and the awards ceremony in Brookmont.

Sponsor

Please thank our event sponsor, NRS, by visiting their website www.nrsweb.com!

Contact

Contact the event organizer, Scott Anderson, if you have any questions.
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