RULES - Whitewater Racing League
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RULES

RULES

Whitewater Racing League Rules and Regulations 2023

We want to create safe racing and excitement around the sport. We are here to support all organizers; whether you are putting together your first race or seasoned veteran. We want support race organizers and create a framework for whitewater events.  

The following regulations are intended to provide consistency within and between the Whitewater Racing Leagues’ (WRL) events, and work to support a safe racing experience for all involved.

It is each and every competitor’s responsibility to review and accept these rules. 

We acknowledge the value of communal contributions and appreciate any feedback. Feel free to email us with any questions. whitewaterracingleague@gmail.com

(1) General: 

  1. The minimum age for the Whitewater Racing League racer is dependent on individual race director rules. Pro class minimum age 15 in the calendar year. 
  2. All racers must be able to control their kayak at all times and be a competent paddler at the river class level of the race. The event organizer, or WRL Race Official has the authority to disqualify a racer who they decide is unfit to race.  
  3. In the event of weather (high water, low water, rain, snow,  etc.) the Race Director may delay, advance, or pause the event until conditions are safe to compete. If conditions don’t improve the event director may cancel the event or schedule a ‘rain date’ in the future. 
  4. No refunds will be issued due to weather related cancellations.

(2) Safety: 

  1. Participants are chiefly responsible for their wellbeing and safety.
  2. All racers must wear a properly secured helmet (Certified CE 1385 international standard for headgear for whitewater sports)
  3. All racers must wear a US Coast Guard Certified personal floatation device (PFD) anytime they are on the river at any WRL event. 
  4. All racers must carry a throw rope with them at all times both before, during, and after their race.
  5. All racers must sign any waiver required by the race organizer/venue. 
  6. Participants must adhere to the rules set forth by each race director. 
  7. Participants must comply with all national, local, and venue safety guidelines and regulations.

(3) Requirements: 

  1. Racers must wear a helmet and PFD while racing.
  2. Racers must wear a race bib or number plate if provided by the race.
  3. If racers are given an official race number, it must be displayed in the location specified by each race organizer. Numbers are not transferable. 
  4. Boat lengths and materials are decided upon by individual race organizers.
  5. Racers must wear appropriate footwear for a rescue situation.
  6. Racers are not permitted to wear headphones while actively racing. 

(4) Divisions:

  1. Men’s Division: Men who are 15 years of age or older. 
  2. Women’s Division: Women who are 18 years of age or older. 
  3. Junior Division: Age 17 and under. If you turn 18 in the calendar year, you can race in the Junior class.

(5) Racing: 

General

  1. All racers must respect the boundaries indicated by clearly defined start and finish line(s). 
  2. Deviation from the marked course will result in the competitor’s disqualification, unless the competitor reenters the course at the same point of exit.  All rules must follow from each individual race director.  Contact, course, 

Time 

  1. All races will be timed with a timing system approved by WRL.
  2. A manual timer is required as backup. If manual time is different from the digital timing system, default to the digital timing system’s time. 

Contact 

  1. Each paddler has a right to their own line and space.. 
  2. If a race organizer find the contact is clearly offensive in nature, and excessive in force the racer in question will be disqualified from the event. This may include ramming, shouldering, pushing with full arm extension, grabbing a person or gear or other unnecessarily aggressive actions. 
  3. If the contact is deemed to be illegal, the offending party will be disqualified from the race. 
  4. In an interval start time race, paddlers must yield to the overtaking racer. 
  5. Purposeful physical contact is prohibited and grounds for disqualification, suspension or ban from WRL events.

(8) Disqualifications: 

  1. Prior to start time, any racer who is intoxicated or suspected to be under the influence of any substances will be disqualified.
  2. A racer is responsible for their family and group. Any detrimental action caused by members of these group(s) could result in that racers’ disqualification.