Time Schedule

The Belgian Coast race shall be held on Saturday

If weather conditions are restrictive the race can be delayed to Sunday.

 

Start sequence

• tbd

 

Classes

• SUP Male
• SUP Female
• OC male
• OC female
• Para Male
• Para Female
• SS-1 male (jun/senior/Master 35-45 (in the year of his 35th birthday)/master 45-55/ master 55+
• SS-1 female (same categories as SS-1 male)
• SS-2 overall

For SS1 male and female there will be an Overall Class With extra prizes for the first 3
Every class in SS1 must have at least 3 participants to be able to exist
When one of the masters classes between 35 and 55y are < 3 participants, class 35-45 and 45-55 can be joined
If only 55+ has < 3 participants, it will be joined with 45-55

For Belgian championships

The first Belgian finisher (Female/male) will be Belgian champion , even with < 3 participants
The first Junior and master get honorary Belgian titles
The first in a sub category with 3 participants (or more) gets an honorary Belgian title
A competitor is always allowed to take part individually at the Belgian Coast Race. To participate in the Belgian championships, a license of the KBKV/VKKF is required!

 

Registration Fee

The registration fee has to be paid latest at the accreditation

If not paid, the inscription will be scratched and removed off the list.

 

Craft

All the SS – 1 and SS-2 crafts shall be boats which the competitor sits on with one water tight compartment, and Selfbailing. There are no length or weight limitations for surfski/specski construction.

 

Safety

All competitors must wear

• a flotation device (life vest) approved by the race committee from before the start until after the finish of the event.
• a leash (approved by the organisers) attaching the competitor or paddle to their craft.
• working and charged communication device such as a cell phone or vhf radio

Ocean Racing may involve participants in dangerous situations. It is a requirement that any competitor, seeing another in real danger shall render all assistance in his or her power. Failure to do so may involve disqualification. Time bonuses based on actual delays can be awarded to any competitor providing assistance to a fellow participant.

The race is at your own risk there are plenty of resources to help you to guarantee safety. Please judge your own ability, according to the weather and water conditions.

Language

The language used shall be English and Dutch (other translations can be asked).

Course

The courses for the Belgian Coast Race will be selected to test the seamanship and ability of the competitors to use the water conditions to their advantage. The course may be changed at short notice to suit the best downwind conditions on the day of the race.

Officials

One person may function in two or more of the below positions.

Race Director - safety officer - starter - finish line judge : all together they form the Competition comittee

The Competition Committee may disqualify any competitor who behaves improperly or who by his or her conduct or speech shows contempt towards the officials, other competitors or onlookers.

The starter / safety officer / race director may at all time remove a competitor from the race if they believe the competitor's safety is not guaranteed for the full race, or if the competitor seems unable to complete the race within an accepted timeframe

 

Start

The start line shall be clearly marked, with the marks described to the competitors in the race instructions.

After shouting the word “ Ready” . The start signal audible to all racers, may be a blast of a whistle or horn, a shot from a start gun or a shouted word “go”. The start signal shall be described in the race instructions.

The start will be as fair as possible, allowing all competitors an equal chance. The type of start will be selected according to prevailing conditions. Paddlers shall be called to the water at least ten minutes before the scheduled start. If a competitor moves forward after the word “Ready” and before the start signal, he or she has made a false start. A competitor who attempts a false or unfair start will be warned. A second warning will result in the imposition of a two minute penalty. A third warning will result in the competitor’s disqualification from the event. A disqualified competitor must leave the water and start line immediately.

 

Group Racing and Slipstreaming

When competitors are racing in a group, it is the duty of all the competitors in the group to keep clear of each other at all times. This rule applies to any manoeuvring within the group and while slipstreaming. Inadvertent contact between craft should be avoided.

 

Damage

Any competitor who is considered by a race official to have been responsible for a deliberate collision, or who deliberately damages the craft or paddle of another competitor may be disqualified.

 

Assistance

A competitor may not be accompanied or assisted in any way by other crafts/boats not entered in the event.
If a competitor needs to be helped by rescue or external craft, other than fellow competitors, he or she will be regarded as DNF

 

Awards

The Belgian Coast Race medals shall be given in three values, first, second and third. The medals will be given in every existing class during the race (see ‘classes’ above)

Belgian Championships

The Belgian Coast Race will be the official Belgian Championships Surfski. To compete in the Belgian Championships, an athlete needs to have a “Wedstrijd licentie” of the “ KBKV”. There will be titles for the first man and first woman, and honorary titles for the first master and junior. Honorary titles will also be rewarded to the first one in every category with 3 or more participants.

 

Doping

We will follow the rules of the Belgian Doping Authority, doping checks during the races are always possible.

 

Responsibility

A competitor accepts the risks as a participant of the training for and participating in the Belgian Coast Race, disability and mortality in the worst case. Otherwise he/she will not participate in the Belgian Coast Race , the workouts in advance and / or other related activities. Finally, by competing the organizing committee, the volunteers , employees , directors , sponsors , municipal , county and / or any legal entities and / or individuals associated with the Belgian Coast Race can not be accused for any damage and / or loss in one of these activities .