1. The Kansas River Gritty Fitty will officially start at 7:30 AM central time on August 30th, 2008. The starting point is the 8th street river access, River Mile 50, in Lawrence, KS. All boats will start together.
2. The race will officially end at exactly 9pm of August 30th, 2008, or when the last boat has reached Mile 0, Kaw Point, whichever comes earlier. A team's participation in this event ends when they have reached Kaw Point before 9pm on August 30th, OR when they notify race officials that they have withdrawn. Teams still on the Kansas River after 9pm of August 30th, 2008 are electing to continue independently of the race.
3. Each race craft must be propelled exclusively by paddle power (double or single blade) while on the water. No rowing configuration is permitted. No sail or kite is permitted.
4. All participants agree to appear in event related media coverage free of charge.
5. For any "shortcut" to be legal, it must have a flow of river water through it. Portages over exposed sand bars for convenience are not permitted. If the sand is underwater, no problem, drag your boat. If the sand is above the water, your boat shouldn't be on it.
6. Outside assistance that provides intentional aid in the forward progress of a canoe/kayak is not allowed. This includes towing, wake riding, deflection of wind and "rafting up". However, limited interaction between the competitor race craft, as is the case in most canoe and kayak marathon races, is acceptable. This will be restricted to only wake riding and wind deflection. No towing of race craft is permitted.
7. Ground support is allowed for racers but is not mandatory. A ground crew may assist with supplies and talking you out of quitting. Ground crew may not, in any way, assist with propulsion of the boat. They may only touch the boat when the boat is in contact with the shore. Physical contact with support can only occur when the boat is grounded. No contact on the water is allowed. No support provided from a support boat is allowed..
8. Infractions of any rule during the race will be grounds for time penalties or disqualification to be reasonably and fairly determined by the Judges Committee.
9. Deliberate littering of the river is illegal. Teams must keep their trash in their canoes/kayaks and either transfer it to their support teams or go ashore themselves to properly dispose of waste.
10. All team members should understand there are serious risks involved in this endeavor. The hydraulics associated with fixed obstacles in the water can be dangerous. Constant vigilance, clear thinking, and quick reaction will be essential at all times. Good judgment must dictate when it is time to rest. All team members (racers and support personnel) will enter this race at their own risk and will not hold this Event's organizers, judges, officials, and sponsors liable for accidents to personnel or damage to any property.
11. All participants in this race must sign the "Amateur Athletic Waiver and Release of Liability". This waiver is required by the United States Canoe Association for participation in this event.
12. Entry fees for the race are as follows: Solo racer: $38, Tandem team: $70
13. Teams may not share paddlers. Teams MAY share ground support.
14. There is only one required checkpoint on the race course. It is a mandatory portage at the Johnson County Water Weir located just downstream of the 435 bridge. All participants will exit the water at the north bank in the designated, marked, transit area. Boats must be portaged along the marked path. No assistance is allowed. This includes help moving the boat AND gear. Only the racer may touch his or her boat during this transition. Support crews may not touch any equipment until the boat and all gear has made it through the portage and is floating on the other side.
15. Each racer must have available a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver at all times while on the water.
16. It is possible that a team or individual could find themselves still on the water as darkness falls. A boat traveling at night must have a white light available for display when needed to signal another boat. For this reason, each team must carry with them a flashlight.
Craft Requirements:
17. There are no restrictions on the design of the canoe/kayak.
18. The original craft must be paddled from start to finish. Repairs may be made to the craft during the race, but other alterations are not permitted.
19. Any part of the craft (rudders, outriggers, etc.) which will be below the water line during any portion of the race must be "on board" from start to finish. A space must be available on the each side of the canoe/kayak close to the bow on which to affix the official race number. Each team may choose their own 4 digit number upon entry on a first come, first served basis.
20. In formulating the rules that govern this event, every effort has been made to foresee all situations and problems that may rise, however, officials of the Kansas River Gritty Fitty retain the right to change or amend these rules at any time without liability or recourse from any party regardless of the circumstances. Should such changes or amendments be made, every effort will be made to notify all entrants.
2. The race will officially end at exactly 9pm of August 30th, 2008, or when the last boat has reached Mile 0, Kaw Point, whichever comes earlier. A team's participation in this event ends when they have reached Kaw Point before 9pm on August 30th, OR when they notify race officials that they have withdrawn. Teams still on the Kansas River after 9pm of August 30th, 2008 are electing to continue independently of the race.
3. Each race craft must be propelled exclusively by paddle power (double or single blade) while on the water. No rowing configuration is permitted. No sail or kite is permitted.
4. All participants agree to appear in event related media coverage free of charge.
5. For any "shortcut" to be legal, it must have a flow of river water through it. Portages over exposed sand bars for convenience are not permitted. If the sand is underwater, no problem, drag your boat. If the sand is above the water, your boat shouldn't be on it.
6. Outside assistance that provides intentional aid in the forward progress of a canoe/kayak is not allowed. This includes towing, wake riding, deflection of wind and "rafting up". However, limited interaction between the competitor race craft, as is the case in most canoe and kayak marathon races, is acceptable. This will be restricted to only wake riding and wind deflection. No towing of race craft is permitted.
7. Ground support is allowed for racers but is not mandatory. A ground crew may assist with supplies and talking you out of quitting. Ground crew may not, in any way, assist with propulsion of the boat. They may only touch the boat when the boat is in contact with the shore. Physical contact with support can only occur when the boat is grounded. No contact on the water is allowed. No support provided from a support boat is allowed..
8. Infractions of any rule during the race will be grounds for time penalties or disqualification to be reasonably and fairly determined by the Judges Committee.
9. Deliberate littering of the river is illegal. Teams must keep their trash in their canoes/kayaks and either transfer it to their support teams or go ashore themselves to properly dispose of waste.
10. All team members should understand there are serious risks involved in this endeavor. The hydraulics associated with fixed obstacles in the water can be dangerous. Constant vigilance, clear thinking, and quick reaction will be essential at all times. Good judgment must dictate when it is time to rest. All team members (racers and support personnel) will enter this race at their own risk and will not hold this Event's organizers, judges, officials, and sponsors liable for accidents to personnel or damage to any property.
11. All participants in this race must sign the "Amateur Athletic Waiver and Release of Liability". This waiver is required by the United States Canoe Association for participation in this event.
12. Entry fees for the race are as follows: Solo racer: $38, Tandem team: $70
13. Teams may not share paddlers. Teams MAY share ground support.
14. There is only one required checkpoint on the race course. It is a mandatory portage at the Johnson County Water Weir located just downstream of the 435 bridge. All participants will exit the water at the north bank in the designated, marked, transit area. Boats must be portaged along the marked path. No assistance is allowed. This includes help moving the boat AND gear. Only the racer may touch his or her boat during this transition. Support crews may not touch any equipment until the boat and all gear has made it through the portage and is floating on the other side.
15. Each racer must have available a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver at all times while on the water.
16. It is possible that a team or individual could find themselves still on the water as darkness falls. A boat traveling at night must have a white light available for display when needed to signal another boat. For this reason, each team must carry with them a flashlight.
Craft Requirements:
17. There are no restrictions on the design of the canoe/kayak.
18. The original craft must be paddled from start to finish. Repairs may be made to the craft during the race, but other alterations are not permitted.
19. Any part of the craft (rudders, outriggers, etc.) which will be below the water line during any portion of the race must be "on board" from start to finish. A space must be available on the each side of the canoe/kayak close to the bow on which to affix the official race number. Each team may choose their own 4 digit number upon entry on a first come, first served basis.
20. In formulating the rules that govern this event, every effort has been made to foresee all situations and problems that may rise, however, officials of the Kansas River Gritty Fitty retain the right to change or amend these rules at any time without liability or recourse from any party regardless of the circumstances. Should such changes or amendments be made, every effort will be made to notify all entrants.
21. Anyone not making it to the portage checkpoint by 5:30 PM will be disqualified.
Printable Entry Form
Printable Waiver (please include one for each paddler if tandem entry)
Over the 50 mile course, contestants will be required to check in only once with race officials.
Printable Waiver (please include one for each paddler if tandem entry)
Over the 50 mile course, contestants will be required to check in only once with race officials.
