Rules
Ouachita River 49er and 28 Rules
1) Failure to follow any of the rules and regulations may result in disqualification from the race. The rules apply to all paddlers, team captains, coureur des bois, and support personnel registered or unregistered.
2) All entrants will be notified if any change to the rules and regulations are necessary prior to the race.
3) Louisiana Delta Adventures rules and regulations, and all ACA rules apply to both races.
4) Teams are subject to random checks along the race route for adherence to all rules and regulations.
5) Paddler or coureur des bois must call the Command Center if:
- Emergency: call 911 and Command Center
- You plan on pulling out of the race, at any point, including checkpoints and finish lines
Registration
6) Teams are required to race as indicated on the entry form. Any change in pro race division class or move from voyageur race division to pro race division after registration closes will require a new entry form to be filled out. The original form will be cancelled and a fee of $25 per paddler, in cash, will be required at the time of the change. Any change from voyageur race division to pro race division must be accompanied by the difference in fees in addition to the penalty. There will be no penalty assessed, or refund given, for moving from pro race division to voyageur race division.
Liability
7) All team members shall enter the race at their own risk. Louisiana Delta Adventures and its officials and sponsors are not responsible for accidents to personnel, or damage to boats or equipment.
8) All liability waivers shall be signed prior to the race.
9) A parent or legal guardian shall be present to sign a waiver of liability for all minors 17 and younger. All ages are calculated as of day of race. A coureur des bois is MANDATORY for any boat that has a paddler 17 or younger. A coureur des bois will not be mandatory if an adult 18 years or older accompanies the minor in the boat.
10) All registered racers are covered by insurance through ACA. If you are not a member of ACA, a fee of $10.00 will be added to your registration to provide the coverage.
Safety
11) Under no circumstances shall any illegal drug be taken during the race period. Teams are not allowed to drink or have alcohol in the boat during the race. No paddler is permitted to be under the influence of alcohol on the water.
12) Each paddler must have in his or her possession in the boat a properly sized and in servicable condition United States Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III, or V (inflatable) personal flotation device. Type V (inflatable) PFDs are not allowed for paddlers under the age of 17. FAA approved PFD shall have “Approved by USCG” printed on the PFD to be valid. Due to the remote nature of these races, all paddlers participating in the Ouachita Races (49er and 28) must wear a PFD around the neck and chest. A type V can be worn but not be inflated until needed, it must be worn around neck and secured at waist. PFDs must be on and secured at boat check according to the directions for that type PFD.
13) Boat shall have adequate flotation to float while swamped. Life jackets cannot be used for this purpose.
14) Teams are required to carry one fully charged cell phone enclosed in a waterproof container for safety and emergency use. Telephone number shall be given to race official at boat check.
15) Each paddler shall have one audible signaling device (pealess type whistle or airhorn).
16) Louisiana Delta Adventures race officials may cancel a race at any time due to severe weather. Should a hurricane affect a race date an alternate date will be posted on the official Louisiana Delta Adventures website, www.louisianadeltaadventures.com. There are NO REFUNDS for weather cancellation.
17) One paddler or registered coureur des bois from team MUST SIGN IN AT THE FINISH LINE. Race official must have a visual sighting of your boat crossing the finish line.
18) United States Coast Guard, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, law enforcement agencies and Louisiana Delta Adventures officials have the authority to disqualify any paddler or boat for violation of any rule of USCG, LDWF or Louisiana Delta Adventures. Boat shall be immediately removed from the race.
19) Boat and equipment check is MANDATORY. All paddlers are required to attend and sign-in and registered coureur des bois are encouraged to attend and sign-in. Racers must attend the safety meeting prior to their particular race.
Boat
20) Only human muscle powered boats will be permitted to race. Rowing gear, motors, sails, or engines of any kind are prohibited.
21) Your boat must meet all specifications of class in which you are racing.
22) Teams must finish in the same boat they started in. Switching boats during any portion of any race is prohibited.
23) All members of a team shall travel in the same boat. Should a team member drop out of the race for any reason, the team member can not re-enter the race or be replaced by another paddler. Relays in any form are prohibited.
24) Teams may bring their own food and drink in the boat or get food or drink at any point along the race course. Being resupplied by boat, paddle or motor driven, is prohibited.
25) A number for your boat will be assigned to you. The number can be picked up after the boat and equipment check. The number must be affixed to the left side of the bow of your boat. Those boats that don’t have an accommodating bow for this purpose shall affix the number on the fore deck.
26) Names for boats should be painted or affixed to each side of the boat. Not required but strongly recommended. Individual boat sponsor names and logos are encouraged to be affixed to the boat.
27) You cannot interfere with another team’s progress.
28) No intentional littering of the river or its banks.
29) Official race maps can be found on the website at www.louisianadeltaadventures.com/
Protest
30) A paddler who wishes to lodge a protest shall submit the protest to the LDA Officials only, in writing and signed, accompanied by a $50.00 cash protest fee. Written and signed protests must be filed by 6 AM Sunday. Should the protest be upheld by Tour du Teche officials, $25.00 will be refunded. A person who lodges a protest should be prepared to provide evidence of the infraction being protested. The decision by LDA Board is final.
Required Equipment
- Cell telephone in waterproof container
- PFD Type I, II, III, or V (inflatable) – USCG approved. See Rule 12.
- Audible signaling device (pealess type whistle or airhorn)
- Adequate boat flotation to float while swamped
Recommended Equipment
- Coureur des bois (bank runner) per boat or ice chests with supplies marked with name and boat number to be dropped off at checkpoints or finish line.
- Emergency Blanket – Mylar Foil Type
- Mosquito repellant
- Extra batteries for lights
- Proper clothing including hat
- Plenty of water and food
- Rain gear
Posted on January 9, 2019 at 11:31 am
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