RULES & REGULATIONS

Each team will have three races throughout the day. Each local team will be offered 1 practice prior to race day. Weather is a factor in our ability to offer practice times, so please arrange for your practice as soon as possible. Additional practice times may be available if time permits.

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A team must submit a completed registration form on or before the registration deadline.
 

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Please make cheques out to Cornwall Waterfest.

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Team tent locations will be allocated as teams are registered on a first come first serve basis.

 

Please note several rule adjustments/clarification below in red:
 

DRAGON BOATS AND EQUIPMENTS

 

Dragon boats are fully equipped with paddles, steering oar, drum, and PFDs (life jackets). Participants may use their own paddles and PFDs as long as they are Canadian Coast Guard Approved.

 

RACE VENUE AND LOGISTICS

 

The race course will be approximately 200 meters in length.

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A safety boat and official boat will follow each race. If your dragon boat tips, becomes inoperable or swamps, remain with your boat until the safety boat or official boat arrives. Follow the official’s instructions.

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A starting official will control the start of each race. Boats will be directed into their predetermined lanes and then backed into the fixed starting gates at the starting line. When all the boats are aligned and stationary, the Starting Official will voice the command, "Attention," which will be quickly followed by the sound of the starting horn. A false start will be issued to any team that starts paddling, in whole or in part, prior to the starting horn. A false start will be indicated by two quick blasts of the horn. Two false starts for any team will result in disqualification.

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Once a race has begun, each team must attempt to stay in its own lane throughout the race. A team may be disqualified if it wanders into another lane and interferes with the progress of another boat.

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The finish line will be clearly marked with buoys. The finish of each boat is recorded as the nose of the dragon hits the finish line. All crew members must be on board at the completion of the race or the boat will be recorded as ‘did not finish’. Finish line video will be used to determine official placements. The decision of the finish line judges is final.

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Official finishing positions will be announced as they become available and will be posted on the results board. The schedules for the finals will be posted as soon as the data is available.

 

RACE SCHEDULE FORMAT

 

The official draw for heats and lanes will be made by the Cornwall Waterfest Committee in early August. The race schedule will be finalized and will be available by e-mail or at the mandatory morning seminar. Each team will have three races. It is anticipated that races will commence at 8 a.m.

 

TEAMS AND ELIGIBILITY

 

Cornwall Waterfest is a mixed category for the Sport and Community Divisions regatta (minimum 6 women paddlers per dragon boat). The Ladies Division will only be included if there are sufficient registrants, and is ladies only.  All teams must have a minimum of 16 paddlers and a maximum of 20, plus 1 drummer. 

 

The organizing committee will provide a steersperson for each team. Teams may opt to race with their own trained and experienced steersperson, rather than the steer provided by the festival.  If the Race Organizer feels that this steer does not possess adequate training or experience, the steer will be replaced by a festival steer.  

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A team member must be fourteen (14) years of age or older. A team member under the age of eighteen (18) must have written consent and a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian before he or she will be allowed to practice or race.

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The race coordinators must receive the team entry fee no later than 3:30 p.m. on July 20th. Late entries may be accepted after this time if there is space available. Final team roster and individual waivers must be handed in on race day. Cheques for all entry fees should be made payable to Cornwall Waterfest.

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A team roster will be comprised of at least 21 crew members. This includes 1 team captain and 1 drummer. Substitutions are allowed. The roster can have a maximum of 28 crew members.

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An individual may register as a paddler for only one team. Drummers may participate, in that role, for more than one team. Drummers can participate as a paddler for only their team by switching with another crew member. Drummers can be either male or female.

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The team captain will be responsible for the conduct of the team and distribution of all practice and race information to the team. He or she will be responsible for collecting and submitting all forms and waivers and liaising with the race coordinators.

 

SAFETY AND WAIVERS

 

All crew members must sign a waiver prior to participating in any practice session or race. Once the waiver is signed the participant will receive a bracelet or hand stamp in order to participate. It is the team captains’ responsibility to ensure that all of their team members have signed the waiver prior to loading into the dragon boats. No one will be allowed into the boat without having signed a waiver.

All participants must wear an approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD), which will be supplied by the Practice Supervisor or Race Coordinators.

 

View the waiver.
 

TEAM CAPTAIN

 

The Team Captain shall be responsible for:

• Organizing a team, as per the team eligibility requirements (see the Dragon Boat Racing Registration Package)

• Having each team member sign a waiver, and collecting all registration forms, waivers and entry fees and submitting them.

• Registering your team electronically, by mail, or delivered in person to Cornwall Waterfest c/o A Plus Management 12 A. Montreal Rd, Cornwall, On, K6H 1B1

• The deadline for registration is July 20, 2024. Registrations may be accepted after that date if space allows.

• Ensuring all team members are aware of the rules and regulations.

• Providing team name and bio.

• Organizing team members for team pictures and race times.

• Promoting team spirit and organizing team shirts, hats, songs, mascots etc.

• The conduct of her/his team members

 

CANCELLATION POLICY

 

Race fees are non-refundable with no exceptions.

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The race will go on rain or shine. In the event of lightning or extremely high winds, participants must come off the water until it is safe to resume the race. Race organizers will attempt to complete the race program within a reasonable amount of time, however the safety of the racers comes first. No refunds or rebates will be offered.

In the unlikely event of cancellation of this event due to circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Cornwall Waterfest and 22 Dragons, including but not limited to safety, weather, or flooding, Cornwall Waterfest and 22 Dragons cannot be held responsible for any cost, damage, or expense which may be incurred by registrants as a consequence of this event being altered, delayed, or cancelled.

 

SPONSORSHIP

 

1. Cornwall Waterfest retains all rights to advertising, sponsorship and commercial representation for the event.

2. Teams are encouraged to solicit individual team sponsors. However, representation for these sponsors is limited to team uniforms, accessories and a flag or banner (not to exceed 1.5 square meters) used to identify the team at the site assembly area.

3. Any other promotional or visual displays must receive prior approval from the organizing committee.

 

TROPHIES AND AWARDS

 

Trophies and awards will take place following the final race of the day.

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Waterfest Cup is presented to the “A” final First Place winner.

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Corus Cup is presented to the “A” final Second Place winner.

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Seaway News Cup is presented to the “A” final Third Place winner.

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