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Event Rules

The full rules of the event will be published nearer to the event however the following should be noted:

Club Captains Responsibilities

Club Captains are responsible for ensuring that their members conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner throughout the weekend, and follow the guidelines set out here and in the BCU WWR rules.  The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any competitor or university, if they do not conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.

General Race Rules

The race will be run in accordance with the BCU WWR rules. However the team events will not require team members to finish within 15 seconds of each other.  It is the responsibility of club captains to ensure their members are familiar with the race rules.

The overall winning university will be decided using a points scoring system for all competitors posting a time in a BUSA event. The details of the points scoring system will be available from race control.

 With regards to any appeals the organiser’s decision is final.

Equipment

All competitors must wear suitable safety equipment, in accordance with the BCU Rule. Boats/equipment should be in a river worthy condition. All participants must wear EC approved Helmets and BAs.

In a change to the rules this year, ALL BOAT must be fitted with AIRBAGS and sufficient GRAB LOOPS to aid rescue.  

The organisers reserve the right to conduct spot checks on all equipment and to refuse entry or disqualify anyone deemed to have insufficient safety equipment or be unsafe. Further information regarding the types and conditions of boats eligible in each class, and the rules concerning personal safety equipment can be found in the BCU Wild Water Racing Handbook.  

There will be no time allowance for competitors using Wavehopper boats.  The organisers are unable to provide Wavehoppers on the day and it is suggested that, if required, competitors contact the BCU to hire some of their fleet for the event.

BUKC and BUSA accept no responsibility for the loss or damage of any equipment, however caused, throughout the event.

Bibs

Race bibs must be worn by all competitors or safety boaters at all times during racing, further details can be found here.

Practice Sessions

Open access practice sessions will be available on the Saturday morning and Sunday morning, dependent on the numbers of open and ‘playboat’ entrances (to be confirmed on Saturday evening). The provisional timing of practice sessions are given below and will be confirmed at race control and at the campsite on Friday evening.

 Outside practice times only racing competitors will be allowed on the water and all other paddlers are asked to stay off the river. At all times, during practice sessions and races, priority must be given to those paddlers practicing or competing in the BUSA championships and other people on the river must clear the racing line for such people

Safety

All persons attending the event are responsible for their own safety at all times. The event will be run in accordance with the BCU Wild Water Racing Safety Policy, which can be found on their website or downloaded here.

The Washburn is a fast flowing and a safety team will be present, based at the main weir about half the way down the course. If your team is having particular problems on another part of the course please let them know. Please be considerate to the safety personnel and officials at all times. Any competitor in difficulty should obey the instructions of the safety personnel.

Club / Team captains are responsible for the safety of all their paddlers throughout the event and should make all paddlers aware of the dangers of white water racing. It is the responsibility of competing clubs to ensure that all paddlers are aware of safety and are capable of completing the course. The course is not suitable for unaccompanied novices. All participants must have passed a swim and capsize test.

A footpath follows the race course for most of the river and clubs may provide bank based rescue for competitors where they feel it’s necessary. Due to recent flooding some of the rocks in the main weir drop have moved, this drop will be identifiable by the presence of a banner and it is recommended that all paddlers inspect the drop before the race. The river is fast flowing with limited eddies. As such we recommend that all competitors walk the course before competing. The race course finished at a reservoir where any boats and kit will collect.

Clubs may also provide safety boaters for their members (i.e. to follow competitors down the course).  During races each competitor may have a maximum of one safety boater. In these circumstances, it is asked that the organisers are made aware of this, and that reversed numbered bibs are worn. The provision of safety boaters must not delay the start times of other competitors. 

Emergencies

All clubs should ensure that they have an adequate number of people trained in first aid. Additional first aid kits will be available at Race Control, the Safety Tent and the Finish Line. It is asked that all injuries are reported to race control ASAP.

In the event of an emergency the nearest hospital is Wharfe General Hospital, Newall Carr Road, Otley, LS21 2LY (01943 465522). The nearest public telephone is on the A59 before the turn to West End.  Mobile phone reception is very limited along the Washburn.