CONDITIONS FOR THE GEORGE BASS SURFBOAT MARATHON The event shall be known as the: - GEORGE BASS SURFBOAT MARATHON.

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1 CONDITIONS FOR THE GEORGE BASS SURFBOAT MARATHON 2014 And Dial Before You Dig Ski Marathon The event shall be known as the: - GEORGE BASS SURFBOAT MARATHON. ENTRIES Entry into this event is for crews that satisfy the entry conditions and rules as published for the event. Race Organisers have always been mindful of not allowing a combined crew to stack the race but do acknowledge that at times it can be difficult for a club to raise the full complement of 8 rowers. While the rules allow for a minimum of 6 rowers for male crews most crews choose to carry the full 8 rowers. Combined club or composite crews may enter but we ask that this doesn t include 2 x A crews from different clubs as that is outside the spirit of this event. Composite crews from different surf clubs may not be eligible to collect the listed major prize money however they will be eligible to take any trophy won and a percentage of prizemoney as stipulated by the Race committee. The race committee will allocate the advertised prize money on a percentage basis back to the next finishing non composite crew. This percentage will be advised in advance of the start. The composite crew may take in full any leg prize won under the rules and a percentage of the overall prizemoney. After the initial entry has been accepted and before any crew starts in the marathon, every team must submit all crew details on the Association Entry Form. (In the case of overseas teams on a form that their Association uses for competition entry). Details on the form MUST include all team members whether they are members of the Association or not. If the person is part of the team (eg cook or driver etc) and is staying with the team then they must be included on the team list. In extending the invitations to compete the committee will give special attention to the safety aspect of the race and reserves the right to restrict entries to a maximum number. However in saying this, the committee also reserves the right to minimally increase the number of entries if safety aspects can be maintained. At the time of printing these conditions, the maximum number of boats are: - Mens (Open and Veterans) 20 crews and Open Female and Veteran s 15 crews. ** Note NO separate U/19 race. The clubs in the Far South Coast Branch are assured of inclusion in the race provided that they follow the entry conditions. The committee always retains the right to include other entries on a Wild Card basis, as it also retains the right to refuse any entry without making public the reason for this refusal.

2 INSURANCE The race is conducted under the SLS insurance cover. Only members of a Surf Club will be covered under this policy. It is strongly recommended that every member of the team (competitor and support personnel) be joined up as members of the respective Surf Club prior to the race start. IF YOU RE NOT A MEMBER OF THE CLUB YOU WILL HAVE NO EVENT INSURANCE COVER. WARNING TO ALL CREWS. The demands of the event are considerable and crews should be aware of this if entering for the first time. Total physical fitness, event specific training and preparation are an essential part of getting ready for the event. All applicants should be aware of the potential hazards; dehydration, where the necessity in maintaining body fluids is essential, hypothermia where even on a sunny day the South wind can create this condition if the members are not prepared, overheating and sunburn, remembering that the race is taking place in January and on hot days protection is a must. TEAM MANAGER. Every club taking part must nominate a team manager who will be totally responsible for the team well being and behaviour during the entire event, including the final presentation and festivities afterwards. RACE CONDITIONS. Race conditions will be in accordance with the Associations Competition Manual 34 nd Edition, together with the Rules governing the 2014 George Bass Marathon. Boats shall be built and equipped to the Association specifications. Sliding seats may be fitted and used. International crews may use boats built in their own country provided that these boats meet the safety specifications in the Australian Competition Manual and meet the Australian minimum weight requirements. As well as the above requirements each boat is required to carry: - One (1) Hand or pocket Compass. (We have had fogs on previous marathons). A radio communication with the standard marine water safety and or surf frequency must be either in your powerboat or the surfboat. It is a requirement that clear communication is possible each way between the Referee and Medical powerboat that can communicate back to the surfboat at all times. We will require each support vessel to check in to race control prior to each day s start. THE START. Two Large buoys will indicate the starting point, (on two of the starts because of the depth of the water and/or the adverse bottom, the seaward buoy might be on the bow of the starters boat). The starting procedure will be: - Start minus three minutes gun or siren plus three flags up (RED, Orange, Green). Start minus two minutes - one flag down (Orange and Green still up). Start minus one minute - two flags down (Green flag still up). Start - three flags down and gun fired or siren blown.

3 NOTE the Starter, may conduct a last 10 second countdown to start depending on the availability of suitable PA equipment. The start will be on the Starters call ONLY. Any boat crossing the line after the three minute gun and before the start will automatically be penalised two (2) minutes which will be added to their elapsed time, OR, at the discretion of the Referee and depending on the severity of the breach may also be a stop/go penalty where all oars are laid on the surface of the water as the boat comes to a halt. The crew may then recommence rowing. THE FINISH. Two large buoys will indicate the finish line for water finishes, and crews will finish between the normal boat finish flags where a beach finish has been indicated. Regardless of the type of finish, BOATS MUST LAND AT THE BEACH BETWEEN THE FLAGS WHICH WILL BE SET AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION; remember that the majority of beaches will be under the control of Council employed lifeguards for five of the six days. ALTERNATE VENUES. If, in the opinion of the Race Committee, conditions are unsafe, then an alternate venue will be selected. These alternate venues in the main will be Stillwater (i.e. Rivers or lakes and as such will be subject to Waterways regulations), in some cases there will be no go power craft zones. If necessary at some venues, positions may be based on times. It is also a race option to run the course in reverse in the case of exceptionally strong headwind. SCORING FOR PLACES. All crews commence with zero (0) points. A crew winning a particular leg shall not be penalised for that leg following crews will be penalised one (1) point for each place filled starting with one (1) point for the second crew through to say nineteen (19) points lost for the twentieth crew. Therefore the crew with the lowest points deduction at the end of the seven days will be declared the winner. In the event of a points dead heat, the crew with the most number of lowest placings, will be declared the winner. If this cannot be decided in three count backs, joint winners will be declared. CREW COMPOSITION MEN. Crews can consist of up to nine (9) persons and there shall be no alteration or addition to those nominated on the entry form once the starting gun has been fired at Batemans Bay, except in the special note below where a rower is ruled out by the Event Medical Team. Crews may change rowers at any stage of the legs and there is no rule preventing the sweep from rowing. All 8 rowers may be used for the entire 7 legs at the discretion of the crew or a lesser number may start on any given day. Clubs MUST have a minimum of six rowers and a sweep to start the event. As this division is an Open division females may form part of this Open Crew

4 CREW COMPOSITION WOMEN. Crews will consist nine (9) persons being eight female rowers and a sweep. If the sweep is female then they also can alternate as a rower. In addition womens crews can call in two (2) reserves that can be used at any time during the race if a rower or sweep is ruled out on medical advice. The reserves must be members of the same club and proficient under SLS rules. Once a rower has been ruled out and replaced they cannot rejoin the race. The reserve must complete the race. Female crews may row every leg or drop one leg of the race. Point score for the female division will allow each crew to drop their worst result i.e. points from the crews best 6 leg finishes will determine the overall race position. NOTE***** Variation to the above Team Composition. In the event of a rower being ruled out by the EVENT Medical team, this competitor can be replaced by a rower from the same club provided evidence of membership and current proficiency is provided. SUPPORT CRAFT. Each crew is permitted a motorised craft to convey its additional rowers. Support boat captains must make every endeavour to keep clear of other boats; especially the surfboats and skis; when at sea and in particular when moving into the fleet to make crew changes. Action will be taken against any support craft by way of penalties being imposed on their surfboat if there are infringements. Accidental or deliberate infringements could attract the same penalty. Clubs are totally responsible for the mechanical condition of their support craft. The race will not be delayed because of mechanical failure to any support craft. PROTESTS. These will be dealt with in accordance with the Competition Manual and the Rules governing the George Bass Marathon. Notice of protest will be accepted by Radio but a written protest with the required fee must be placed in the hands of the Beach Manager or the Race Referee within 1 hour of the crew finishing the race. Any protest after this time will not be considered. In the event that the protest is dismissed the crew will forfeit the required fee. COMMUNICATION. Each team will carry a 27Mghz or VHF radio either in the surfboat or in the support boat which will be on the designated race channel so that the Race Officials, (Race Referee, Boat Referee or Womens Boat Referee), can contact every boat at any given time. The following Radio procedure will be strictly observed at all times during the race: - 1. All Radio Transmissions between Officials will be on UHF Event Channel or or by mobile phone. 2. All Transmissions between Officials and competitors as indicated in Par. above will be on

5 3. No competitors or support boat are to use the Officials Communication Channel till all starts are completed and while any craft are crossing the finish line. 4. Competing craft may use any allowable method of communication for domestic use during the race. 5. Under no circumstances are frequencies or to be used except in an emergency. These are the local Marine Emergency Channels. NAVIGATION Apart from the first half of Leg one all navigation is by sight and direction. Teams should be familiar with the leg maps provided to them, with appropriate landmarks. These maps will be in the team package. RACE DISTANCES. DAY 1. Batemans Bay to Moruya 31km DAY 2. Moruya to Tuross Head 19 km DAY 3. Tuross Head to Narooma 22 km DAY 4. Narooma to Bermagui 24 km DAY 5. Bermagui to Tathra 36 km DAY 6. Tathra to Pambula 27 km DAY 7. Merimbula to Eden 20 km Total Distance 181 km MEDICAL SUPPORT St Johns will be available each day for emergencies, either at sea or as crews land. It is important that crews follow the directions of the medical team, especially as each leg is completed. As well there will be a designated IRB which will be in contact with the Referee at all times which means that the medical personnel at sea and the doctor are aware of any problems almost immediately. There will also be First Aid facilities available on either the Referees Boat and on a boat specifically designated for this purpose. Clubs should also come equipped with First Aid materials and kits and should ensure adequate drinks, warm clothing, sun screen and wind protection is available in the support boats. JUDICIARY. A judiciary Committee (endorsed by the Association), will be appointed for the duration of the event. BOAT PANEL. A boat panel will be selected from the crews to advise the race committee on major infractions of the rules occurring during the course of the race. (Last Bass there were three sweeps from the womens crews to adjudicate on the Open Men and three from the Men to adjudicate on the Open Women).

6 CAMP SITES. Camps will be established in each town as much as possible. These sites will be placed on the web ASAP. The majority of sites will be free, although with the economic situation as it is and the loss of some Shire grounds it may be possible that some small payment may be necessary. The Committee reserves the right to make a decision on sites if there is a major overload at a particular town. In addition to the crew entered on the entry form, clubs should restrict supporters and/support crew to an additional 11 people. Electricity will be available at some venues but long extension cords will be necessary. Crews should come prepared. Because of the time of year, there will be a total fire ban in place so all cooking will need to be by gas or electricity. As we are moving between towns fresh food supplies will be available at all venues. CLUB DECLARATION. The nomination and acceptance of teams into the Navy George Bass Marathon is on the understanding that nominated clubs have read these Conditions and The Rules Governing the 2014

7 Race to be Known as: Dial before You Dig George Bass Ski Marathon racing for the Dave Pheeney Shield SURF SKI PADDLERS. Right to Enter Competitors are to be current financial and proficient surf club members for the 2013/2014 surf season to be eligible to compete in this event. Surf Skis are to meet the Australian Surf Life Saving specifications for racing. The Surfboat conditions will also apply to the Ski Paddlers with several additions, which are specific as stated below. Number of Competitors. Number of Competitors. For safety reason the ceiling limit for ski competitors will be fixed at 30, and will be based on the lodgement of entries and then the payment of entry fees. Cut Off for entry will be 01 October There will be no Double Ski Entries for the 2014 event. Entries in the event for first time paddlers, must be accompanied by supporting evidence of prior open water endurance paddling, in a resume form, endorsed and signed by a surf club executive and the Club (Level 1 Minimum) Coach. Repeat entrants should indicate the years competed in the event. This information is to be submitted to the Ski Race Committee prior to 01 October Safety. Each Competitor will wear as a Mandatory Safety Item an AS approved PFD 1 or an approved AS inflatable vest each day. Each Competitor will be required to have some form of safety rope, (Leg Rope) which can be attached to the ski and self if required whilst in open water. Each ski will carry one (1) in date (day or orange flare) smoke flare, securely attached, purchase of the flare is the responsibility of the paddler. The race committee will supply one (1) satchel of sea dye which is to be attached to the paddler. The Ski Referee s decisions are final. The Ski Referee will remove a paddler or paddlers from the water or stop the race at any stage of the race, if there is an issue of imminent or pending safety issues. Each Paddler is to wear the High Visible Singlet and Cap provided each day.

8 Each paddler will carry a marine whistle (pea less whistle). Each paddler will have some device for the replenishing of fluids. At the start of each day the paddle must begin the race with a minimum of 2 litres of fluid onboard. ALL safety items will be checked during sign on each morning before entering the water. During each leg the competitors will be required to pass a checkpoint at a designated area close to shore. Designated Points will be given at each morning brief and are the discretion of the Ski Race Referee. Start. This might vary slightly to that of the boats, in that a siren or starting pistol might be used. This is because of the staggered start of two or three different times that the ski paddlers use. Finish. This will be the same as the boats unless the Ski Referee makes a different decision. When coming ashore, the paddlers must proceed through the defined beach finish flags to allow the paddler s name to sign off by the Ski Time Keepers. Failing to do this will result in the recording a Did Not Finish (DNF) for that leg. Under no circumstances shall the skis come into the beach between the boat flags