Rules for Boater X, Men’s & Women Hard Shell Kayak Downriver, Inflatable Kayak Downriver, Packraft Downriver, Canoe Downriver, Paddleboard Downriver, Inflatable Kayak & Packraft Slalom, SupSquatch Downriver.

Rules for Mass Start and Downriver races:

• Starting points are listed in race description (Fish Creek or Armstrong).
• Kayak, canoe, and packraft racers start in their boats.
• Paddleboards start one foot on and one foot off at rear of board.
• Competitors will start within the designated starting area at the put in.
• A verbal countdown of 3,2,1, then a horn/whistle will designate the start. 
• Malicious intent to harm is not allowed and will result in disqualification.
• Intentionally swinging of a gate or gates is not allowed and will result in disqualification. Racers are not allowed to swing a gate with their hand, or paddle to intentionally cause another racer to miss the gate.
• Racer must negotiate downriver gates #3, #5, #7 and finish at gate #8 (Boater X  and Inflatable Kayak & Packraft Slalom complete ALL gates) Failure to negotiate a gate is disqualification. To negotiate a gate, racers must pass their body from the waist up between the two gate poles from the upstream side. 
• A missed gate can be completed by attaining (paddling) back upstream. Racers must attain on the outside of the gate and pass through the gate moving downstream. 
• In the case where all racers miss a gate the winners will be decided by whoever completes the most gates and finishes in the first, second, and third positions. 
• Un-sportsmen like conduct will result in a disqualification ie. behaviors deemed as inappropriate, towards judges, spectators, or other racers. 
• Racers must finish with craft.

Additional rules for Boater X:

• Heats of four racers 
• All eight gates must be negotiated
• Top two racers move on to next heat until the final heat four

Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival

Slalom Race Rules

River Races

NOTE: All boats must be a minimum of 12′ long and 5′ wide with the exception of the Kayaks. Race staff have the final decision on all boating and safety equipment suitability. 

RACE EVENTS RULES

There will be only three penalty categories for this year’s races: 5, 10 and 50 second penalties. Scoring is as follows:

1. CLEAN GATE: 0 PENALTY – A gate is passed correctly if all team members are in the raft and their heads pass between the poles. 

2. TOUCHED ONE POLE: 5 SECOND PENALTY – boat, paddle, oar, frame, paddlers, rower, or anything associated with the boat touches a pole while at least one crew member passes inside the poles while in the boat. Note that once you have touched a pole, no additional penalties will be assessed for that gate unless there is a touch on the second pole.

3. TOUCHED BOTH POLES: 10 SECOND PENALTY – boat, paddle, oar, frame, paddlers, rower, or anything associated with the boat touches both poles while at least one crew member passes inside the poles while in the boat. Note that once you have touched both poles, no additional penalties will be assessed for that gate.

4. MISSED GATE: 50 SECOND PENALTY – a boat passes a gate without all crew members passing between the poles. If a pole is intentionally moved so as to make a missed gate into a touched gate, this will be considered a missed gate and be given a 50 second penalty.

Incomplete teams crossing the finish = 1 fifty (50) second penalty
Upside down through a gate = 1 fifty (50) second pen 

5. A missed gate can be completed by attaining (paddling) back upstream. Racers must attain on the outside of the gate and pass through the gate moving downstream. 

Please note that a complete set of rules will be available at the registration counter and will be explained prior to the event. It is up to the competitor to be familiar with the rules as there will be no adjustment to penalties for not knowing the rules. Decisions by the judges are final.

The best and most exciting place to view the course is just up river of Carter Bridge.

Sotar Rapid Grand Prix Race Series Code of Conduct

It is the goal of the race series to promote each of 5 whitewater events for the greater
whitewater community, and track points and achievements for individuals and teams. Each
event strives to create a fun, competitive, safe, and well organized racing opportunity. Well
explained rules, transparent and accurate timing, as well as prompt posting of results are
paramount to a successful series. Lots of people work very hard to create these opportunities,
and it is for this reason that a code of conduct shall be adhered to in order to prevent divisions
and disruptions to the overall success of the series.

1. We value free speech. But offensive speech, name calling, rude, crude or otherwise unwanted
speech directed at other competitors, volunteers, spectators or organizers detracts from a
successful and fun event. Examples of offensive speech include profanity, slurs, sexually
explicit or suggestive language, or imagery that a reasonable person would consider vulgar,
disrespectful, or discriminatory.

2. We value competition and we want racers to do well. Arguing with, impeding or challenging
race organizers and volunteers will not be tolerated. If you disagree with an outcome please
present that to the race organizers in a respectful, and professional manner and it will be
addressed.

3. We keep social media posts positive. What you post on your own timeline, story, or insta is up
to you, including comments about a particular whitewater event or the series itself. But posts to
the actual event or series page created for the purpose of promoting and communicating the
event to the public should not detract from the success, growth, and popularity of the event, nor
leave a lasting bad image to those outside of our whitewater community. If you have a complaint
or concern maybe a public forum is not the place to reveal it.

4. We represent the greater whitewater community when we attend these events. Often races
are conducted in public spaces and/or infringe upon small communities. It is important that we
serve as a good representation of our sport. Please comply with all traffic laws, parking
regulations, government authorities and agencies. Be respectful to the area, pick up after
yourself, and don’t draw unnecessary negative attention to an event that takes a lot of work to
make happen. Remember that how we act on and off the water reflects on our group as a
whole.

By registering/attending any or all of these events competitors agree to this code of
conduct. Behavior that is deemed in opposition to any of these 4 codes of conduct
makes an individual subject to exclusion.