Amendments for 2002 Must be Read with the Rules.

Major Changes Have Been Made

Senior Doubles Start Saturday

Rules

All Crews

• BCU classification rules - A17, B108, P77
• The course
• Eligibility
• Canoes and kayaks
• Entries
• Indemnification and contract
• Identification
• Conduct of crews and supporters
• Safety of crews
• Outside assistance
• Penalties and protests
• Retirement
• Compulsory kit
• Trophies

Senior Doubles

• Starting
• Tideway
• Additional compulsory equipment
• Finishing

Four Day Event

• The stages
• Stages start times
• Finishing
• Race day leader

Junior Doubles

• Starting
• Additional compulsory equipment
• Junior overnight sites

Senior Singles and Veteran / Juniors

• Starting

Official Lock and Portage Diagrams

• Official Lock and Portage Diagrams

1. BCU CLASSIFICATION RULES A17, B108, P77

The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe and Kayak Race, from henceforth referred to as The Race, will be run in accordance with the above listed Classification Rules as laid down by the British Canoe Union: 17 miles of Estuary (A17), 108 miles of flat water (B108) and 77 portages (P77).

2. THE COURSE

(a) The course commences at the Start Line at Devizes Wharf and proceeds along the Kennet and Avon canal to join the River Thames at Reading, a distance of 53 miles with 56 portages. The remaining 72 miles are paddled on the Thames to the finish,70 yards beyond Westminster Bridge, involving a further 21 portages, making a total paddling distance of 125 miles.

(b) All crews must complete the course by 4hrs after high water at Teddington on Easter Monday morning and must have vacated the finish site by one hour later

(e) Only the navigation channels of the Kennet and Avon Canal and the River Thames may be used. The use of weir streams or backwaters other than those shown in the lock Portaging Diagrams is forbidden. The back water cut at Windsor, passing under the motorway is not regarded as a navigation channel. All portages must take place on the towing path except Hungerford or where otherwise shown on the official Route Map, Portage Diagram or as ordered by The Environment Agency (NRA), British Waterways or Race Officials. No other route is permitted. Subject to penalty.

(d) Substitution of boats or personnel, or transport over land or by water, for the purpose of shortening the course is forbidden.  Penalty - Disqualification.

(e) If a crew is not able to paddle the course due to low water, flood tide, damaged boat etc., the course may be walked by the crew, carrying the boat, paddles and full kit.

(f) The Route Map and Lock Portage Diagrams form part of the Rules.

(g) Supporters shall observe prohibitions imposed i: from time to time by the Company on the use of public highways, footpaths, rights of way, lock areas and other areas adjoining the course.

(b) Crews may stop and camp immediately adjacent (within 100m) to the course, subject to the Landowner's consent. Apart from this, crews which depart from the course or from the Junior Camp Sites for any reason where not otherwise permitted by these rules will be treated as having retired and will not be permitted to rejoin the race.

(i) All boats below Kennet Mouth must comply with the Environment Agency (NRA) byelaws and below Teddington Lock with the Port of London River byelaws (as amended) and the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea 1972 (as amended).

3. ELIGIBILITY

(a) The Race is open to all male, female or mixed amateur crews of any nationality in aceordanee with the ages specified.

(b) All Senior Class entrants must not be less than 18 years of age on January 1st in the year of the Race.

(c)At the discretion of the Company, entries may be accepted for the Senior Class from applicants under the age of 18 years (to a maximum oftwelve months) provided that they have entered and finished the race on at least one previous occasion as a Junior.

(d) All Junior Class entrants must be under 19 years and not less than 15 years of age on the 1st January in the year of the Race, and must have paddled at least 40 miles in one day . The lower age limit may be waived in eases where a history of the competitor is submitted to, and accepted by, the Competition Secretary, up to a maximum of one year before the 15th birthday.

(e) In the Veteran/Junior class, the Veteran member shall be over 35 years on the 1st January in the year of the race and the Junior member shall comply with subparagraph (d) of this rule.

Club Designation
(f) When a competitor is a member of more than one club or organisation in the UK, the BCU Marathon Racing Rules shall apply in that he may only race for the club or organisation that he has declared to the BCU Marathon Racing Committee. Non BCU members shall be required to observe the spirit of this rule.

4. CANOES AND KAYAKS

(a) Canoes and kayaks are referred to in these Rules as boats. They may be of any type, but must be either single (one person) or double (two person) propulsion.

(b) The only method of propulsion shall be by means of single or double bladed paddles, except for short distances where boats may be lined from the bank or carried along the tow path. In order to qualify for the Canadian Trophy only single bladed paddles are permitted and rudders are not permitted.

(c) All boats must be fit for the event. Boats entered for the Race must have additional integral, or adequately attached, buoyancy to remain afloat and to support the crew in rough waters in the event of a capsize.

5. ENTRIES.

(a) Entry forms and fees must be in the hands of the Competition Secretary not later than Waterside 'D' (see dates list). If posted must be postmarked first class, dated the preceding Friday. Receipt of the entry forms and fee will be deemed to indicate that the entrants have read and understood these rules. Entries postmarked after the stipulated date will be subject to the published late entry fee which must be paid before the paddler starts on Good Friday. Paddlers submitting late entries will be required to collect their documentation at Devizes on Good Friday morning or in The Bear Hotel the evening before, having already checked by telephone with the Competition Secretary that their entry has been received.

(b) Team Entries:

i) Unless otherwise stated teams shall consist of a maximum of FOUR CREWS of which the times of the fastest three shall be considered. THREE CREWS for the Trans-Class Team - (see Trophy 72 conditions)

A maximum of THREE CREWS in the Junior Ladies, of which the times of the fastest two shall be considered

ii) Teams must be pre-nominated by the Team manager who must obtain from and return completed team entry forms to, the Competition Secretary at the Bear Hotel on the Thursday evening or at the Competition Secretary's office on Devizes Wharf on Good Friday morning, prior to any crew in the team getting on the water. Crews will not count as part of a team in any other circumstances.

iii) All civilian crew members making up a team:

(a) for a canoe or kayak club must be from a club based in one area and must habitually train in that area and paddle for the same club throughout the whole year.

(b)For an organisation which is not such a club, participants must be valid members of that organisation for a period of six months prior to this event.

iv) All teams entered on behalf of a military unit must be on the roll of that unit or on attachment to the unit.

v) All teams entered on behalf of the canoe or kayak association/club of military organisations other than units, must consist of persons who, within the relevant military service, are regular servicemen/ women, reservists, or on attachment to that service vi) All teams entered on behalf of commercial companies or firms must consist of employees of that company or firm, or their families.

(c) Entries are accepted on the understanding that, in the even of a crew member being unable to continue his/her partner may not proceed alone.. However, the 'able' partner may, if he or she wishes, link up with another crew member similarly placed and finish the course. A new crew so formed should report to the nearest Chechpoint or Race Official giving their names and the race number under which they are continuing. They should also confirm this information at the finish. The crew's time will not be eligible for any award other than a certificate of completion and the Sir Louis and Lady Gluckstein Trophy.

(d) Last minute changes to crew members and teams must be notified to the Competition Secretary at the Bear Hotel, Devizes, between 1930 hrs and 2230 furs, on Thursday, or to Race Control at Devizes Wharf on Friday at least 30 minutes before the crews proposed startimg time or before 1200 hrs Friday, whichever is the sooner.

(e) The Company reserves the right to refuse any entry.

6. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRACT

(a) Should the Race be cancelled, postponed or abandoned on account of any act of God or other occurrence beyond the control of the Company (including, but not limited to, an order or decision or advice by any body having the authority or jurisdiction over all of the Race course including British Waterways, The Environment Agency (NRA), or the Port of London Authority) then such cancellation shall not be deemed to be a breach of any agreement existing or deemed to exist between competitors and the Company and no loss or damages shall be claimed by either party hereto and in particular the competitors shall not be entitled to a refund of any entry fee already paid to the Company.

(b) The Company can accept no responsibility for any mishap to competitors or supporters, however caused, which they may incur whilst taking part in the Race.

(c) The Company can accept no responsibility for clothing or items of equipment left at any camp-site, or along the course.

(d) Should the race or any class of it be cancelled by the DW Organisation at any time before it is due to start for any reason other than those in Rule 6 a), then the liability of the DW Organisation shall be limited to a refund of relevant entry fees paid.

(e) The expression "the Company" or "the DW Organisation" in these rules shall mean "the Devizes to Westminster Organisation Ltd"

7. IDENTIFICATION

(a) A number plate will be issued to each crew and must be secured on the boat on the starboard (right) side either amidships, or on the rear deck of a kayak or on the starboard (right) bow of a canoe. The official number plate must remain in position throughout the Race. No other number is permitted to be shown

(b) Any crew not displaying the number plate will be deemed to have retired from the Race.

(c) Before leaving Devizes each crew member must have an identity wristlet which includes the emergency number, attached to their wrist by a Race Official. This must not be removed during the Race.

(d) Should a boat pass the finishing line in such a manner that its number plate cannot be seen by the time-keeper, it will be the responsibility of the crews support party to inform the time-keeper of the crew's number.

(e) Numbered bibs may be issued to crews at Devizes and, if so, must be worn throughout the Race, preferably by the front crew member. These bibs must be returned.

8. CONDUCT OF CREWS AND SUPPORTERS

(a) For the purposes of this Rule a supporter is any person who is a relative of a crew member, a member of a support party, a member or associate of a crew member's club, unit or grouping and any person from

whom a crew member receives any assistance, whatsoever. In cases of doubt, it shall be the responsibility of the crew to prove that a supposed supporter is not a supporter and this proof MUST be given at the Race Protest Committee Meeting on Easter Monday.

(b) All crews and their supporters must maintain a satisfactory standard of conduct throughout the Race and remain subject to these rules until the end of the Protest Committee Meeting on Easter Monday even if only spectating

(c) Crews shall race in a fair manner.

(c)Any crew member or crew supporter who fails to observe these rules and/or the instructions of any Race Official shall render the crew and/or associated crews liable to disqualification or other penalty, which may include the club or unit being barred from entering this race in future.

(e) Supporters shall not use torches or lights in any way which will affect the sight of crews at night

(f) The following areas are closed to all supporters:COUNTY LOCK and adjacent roads. BLAKES'S LOCK and roads adjacent to the canal. RUNNYMEDE HOTEL and carparks. Remember there is no vehicular access across the bridge to the lock island at BOULTER'S LOCK.

Supporter shall observe prohibitions imposed from time to time by the Company on the use of Public Highways, Footpaths, Rights of Way, Lock areas and areas adjoining the course.

9. SAFETY OF CREWS

(a) A competitor must be able to swim 100 metres in canoeing dress.

(b) All competitors must, at all times during the Race, wear serviceable life jackets or buoyancy aids conforming to BCU, BMF, or CE Regulations and, in either case, buoyancy aids or life jackets must contain not less than 50N of inherent buoyancy. Any crew member not wearing an adequate buoyancy aid/ lifejacket when on the water, embarking, disembarking or portaging will be penalised.

Penalty - Disqualification - Without appeal.

(c) Adequate clothing must be worn throughout the race to allow for possible capsize. i.e. Warm, windproof clothing, shorts and t-shirts are not considered adequate, except in unusually hot weather conditions.

(d) It is strongly recommended that all crews must have experience of paddling on the course, particularly The Thames in view of the inherent dangers of such hazards as weirs, pleasure boats, bridges etc., Additionally, Senior Doubles crews should have experience of paddling the course in the dark.

(e)Crews are not permitted to shoot any weirs.

(f) Race Officials acting on the instructions od the Chief Official have the authority to stop any crew for safety reasons. Crews may claim for time lost in the event of the Race not being stopped.

(g) Kayaks must carry spraydecks at ALL times and a spraydeck must be used by all Senior Double Kayaks below Teddington Lock and by Singles Veteran/Juniors and Junior Doubles below Thames Young Mariners. Race Officials may in addition require spraydecks to be worn at any time on any waterway

(f) Competitors must be prepared for tests to be conducted to establish that their boat and equipment complies with Rule 4(c) and 9(b)

10. OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE

(a) Medical assistance is permitted in case of illness or injury only. The taking of drugs as defined in ICF Rules is forbidden and all competitors are liable to a drug test. Refusal to submit to such a test shall incur automatic disqualification.

(b) Receiving assistance from any source in the event of a capsize or other dangerous circumstance is permitted.

(c) Crews are permitted to receive food and drink at any point along the course unless otherwise directed. However they are strongly advised to carry a reserve supply in addition to their emergency rations.

(d) Crews are permitted to obtain assistance from any source in the repair of boats, paddl es or equipment sustaining damage during the Race. However, boats undergoing repair shall not be moved away from, nor along the towpath, unless carried by its crew and by no other persons. Repairs are allowed outside racing time in the stages classes.

(e) Paddles, rudders, clothing, spraydecks and emergency rations must be replaced if necessary. Boats may not be replaced.

(f) No other assistance is permitted.

(g) Taking pace and wash hanging from any vessel not in the race is forbidden.
 

11. PENALTIES AND PROTESTS

(a) Compliance with the rules of the Race is the responsibility of the competitors and their supporters. Being permitted to continue the Race with faulty or missing equipment will not absolve competitors from penalty.

(b) Any crew member or member of a support party wishing to protest a breach of the rules shall:

(i) Lodge a formal complaint by telephone to the Information Office at Westminster within 2 hours of the event giving rise to the protest.

(ii) And lodge a written protest with the Information Office at Westminster as soon as possible, but at the latest within 3 hours of the start time on Easter Monday.

The protest should include as much information and supporting evidence as possible.

(c) Penalties imposed by a Race Of ficial must be notified to the Information Office at Westminster before the crew concerned completes the course.

(d) Umpires shall be identified by tabards bearing the word "ChiefUmpire" or "Umpire". Persons wearing such identification shall have the power to disqualfiy any crew failing to obey an Umpire's instructions.

(e) The Company reserves the right to employ safety marshals who shall be identified by yellow tabards which may carry various words. Crews who fail to obey the instructions of these marshals may be reported for penalty.

(f) The Umpires will meet daily at each stage finish point at (or about) 1900 hours to consider infringements of the Rules. Penalties imposed at these meetings can be appealed to the Race Protest Committee Meeting on the Monday morning. It is the responsibility of the crews to enquire either in person or by telephone at the Information Office at Westminster to see if any protest or report has been made concerning them. Crews then have the opportunity of delivering a written statement and/or being heard at the Race Protest Committee Meeting on Easter Monday. In cases where the information is not available to crews at the time they finish or enquire, Race Officials will make two attempts to contact the crew at the telephone number supplied on the entry form.

 (g) The Race Protest Committee will meet, at Westminster, 4 hours after the start time on Easter Monday. At this time crews reported or already penalised will be heard or their written statements presented. There is NO APPEAL against the decisions of this committee. Any penalty, including disqualification, may be imposed.

The decisions of the Race Protest Committee in all disputes during the Race shall be final and that of the Company on all other matters.

12. RETIREMENT

If crews are compelled to retire from the Race, competitors or support crews must, WITHOUT FAIL inform Westminster Race Control 0171-620-0298. It should be appreciated that the organisers could be involved m vast amounts of work tracing "apparently" lost competitors.

13. COMPULSORY KIT.

(a)

In addition to clothing worn by crews at the start the above SERVICEABLE equipment must be earned in the boats. Crews will not be permitted to start without this equipment. This kit will be inspected at the start and may be inspected at the finish and by an Umpire, at any point or points along the course. Penalties will be imposed in respect of items missing. A time allowance will be given for a stoppage if a penalty is not imposed, Senior Doubles see also Rule 17.

14. TROPHIES

(a) Winners of trophies will be held responsible for their safe custody and return in good condition. They and their containers must be returned at least one month before Easter in the following year. Any person or organisation failing to return their trophies, in good condition by the stipulated date may be barred from taking part in the Race

(b) Trophy holders who fail to return their trophies prior to the Start in the following year will not be permitted to start.

(c) The conditions for Trophies form part of these Rules.

Back to top...

15. STARTING

Senior doubles crews may choose their own starting time at Devizes from one of the following time periods: Crews are timed continuously from Devizes to Westminster

(a) 0700 - 2000hrs on Good Friday

(i) Crews must report to the Crews Marshal for kit check at Devizes Wharf at least 45 minutes prior to their start time.

(ii) To start after 1200 hours the crew must notify the Competition Secretary on Devizes Wharf of their intended start time by 1200 hours on Good Friday

(iii) Crews arriving at TEDDINGTON LOCK before first high water at Teddington Lock on Easter Saturday will not be permitted to proceed until high water. NO ALLOWANCE will be given (see NOTES on page 24).

(b) Between 16 hours - 11 hours before the second high tide at Teddington on Easter Saturday. To start in this time period the proposed start time and kit-check time must be pre-booked, IN WRITING to be received by the Competition Secretary on or before the Friday BEFORE Good Friday. (Please note this start period is not suitable for crews intending to take twenty or more hours to complete the course).

See NOTES on page 24.

16 TIDEWAY

(a) Crews which pass Teddington Lock and do not intend to proceed directly to Westminster MUST notify the Teddington Checkpoint, at Teddington Lock of their intentions. Failure to do so will result in disqualification

(b) Crews which, after passing Teddington

Lock, stop to await the next ebb tide, MUST telephone Westminster with their estimated time of departure and leave within 30 mins of that time. Failure to leave at the specified time without informing Westminster will result in disqualification

Crews intending to proceed to Westminster on Monday morning must:

i) Leave their boat in the DW canoe pound at Thames Young Mariners Ham and camp at the site where

showers and toilets are available.

ii) Telephone Westminster on Sunday to report their intention.

iii) Go through the control gate and start with the stages crews on Monday morning

17 ADDITIONAL COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT

(a) One torch, in working order. Ensure that the torch is of sufficient power to shine for at least 10hrs, or carry enough batteries to replace the flat ones.
PENALTY - DISQUALIFICATION

(b) Dusk to Dawn.

(i) Below the Kennet Mouth an all-round white light or two white lights giving the same coverage must be exhibited.

(ii) Below Teddington the boat must carry a torch, in working order, which must be ready for instant showing in any direction in compliance with international regulations.

(iii) Below Vauxhall Bridge and up until disembarkation at the finish a visible white light MUST BE SHOWN CONTINUOUSLY facing forward.

PENALTY - DISQUALIFICATION.

N.B. These rules may have the effect of requiring the carrying and/or using of more than one torch.

18. FINISHING.

(a) The finish is 70 metres below Westminster Bridge on the right hand bank

(b) Crews will be signalled they have finished by the sounding of an air horn, bell or whistle.

(c) All crews must leave the course at County Hall steps, approximately 20m beyond the finish line.

Back to top...

19. THE STAGES
 
 

Day 1	Devizes to Newbury	34 miles	Good Friday
Day 2	Newbury to Marlow	36 miles	Easter Saturday
Day 3	Marlow to Ham	38 miles	Easter Sunday
Day 4	Ham to Westminster	17 miles	Easter Monday

 

20. STAGES START TIMES

(a) Please refer to individual class categories on page 12

(b) All competitors of any calass paddling on Monday morning must be in Thames Young Mariners compound at least 1 hour 30 minutes before High Water Teddington on the Monday morning and must proceed to the river through the control gate as directed. When this final stage takes place in the dark RULE 17 applies.

21. FINISHING

Friday	Newbury	Finish river right, by car park past Waterside Centre
Saturday	Marlow	Finish river right at Longridge Scout Camp below Marlow Lock
Sunday	Ham	Finish river right at Thames Young Mariners
Monday	Westminster	Westminster The Finish Line is Westminster Bridge (downstream side)

 
(b). Crews will be signalled they have finished by the sounding of an air horn, bell or whistle.

(c) Crews finishing later than 10 hours after their start times for the day, on any day, will not be permitted to start again on the following day and will be deemed to have retired.

(c)At Westminster ALL crews must leave the water 100m beyond the finish using County Hall steps.

22. RACE DAY LEADER

The leading competitor m each class may be presented with a yellow bib which is to be worn throughout the following days racing.
 

Back to top...

23. STARTING.

Crews must report on day one for Kit Check by 0900 hrs. See also rule 20(b)

Devizes	0930 - 1000	As directed
Newbury	0800 - 0900	As directed, at intervals, slowest first.
Marlow	0800 - 0900	As directed, at intervals, slowest first.
Ham	Varies according to tide time	20 fastest in front row remainder in next row

 

24. ADDITIONAL COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT

All Junior crews shall bring with them to Devizes, three separate containers each NOT LARGER than a 300mm cube in which should be securely packed food and drink, also fuel if desired for cooking on each overnight camp. These containers must only contain food, drink and associated cooking and eating equipment. ITEMS OF CLOTHING, PADDLING EQUIPMENT ETC., ARE NOT ALLOWED.

The containers should be colour coded, Green for Newbury - Yellow for Marlow - Red for Ham. The containers will be transported by road and distributed at their appropriate sites. The crew's boat number must be displayed on the lid and at least one side of each container m characters not less than 5cms high. No Junior crew will be permitted to start the Race unless all three containers have been placed in the care of the Site Marshal at Devizes.

25. JUNIOR OVERNIGHT SITES

(a) All Junior crews, male and female, cook their own meals and must remain in the official sites at the end of each days racing. At Newbury and Marlow these are in hired accommodation. At Ham, crews must sleep in tents provided by the crews or their supporters.

(b) Crews using the sites will rise in time to clean their quarters and place all refuse in the sacks provided and will not be allowed to proceed until approval is given by a Site Marshal.

(c) No person other than a Race Official or Competitor will be allowed access to any building or camp site used for the accommodation of competitors.

(d) No competitor may leave a camp site without the permission of a Site Marshal

(e) JUNIOR CREWS MUST OBEY ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SITE MARSHAL

Back to top...

Senior Singles crews and both members of the Veteran/Junior class may leave the course between each days racing. See also rule 20(b)

26. STARTING.

Crews must report for kit checks on day one by 0730 hours.
 

Devizes	0800 - 0900	As directed
Newbury	0900 - 1000	As directed, at intervals, slowest first.
Marlow	0900 - 1000	As directed, at intervals, slowest first.
Ham	Varies according to tide time	As directed