Ski To Sea

REGISTRATION:
A designated team representative must pick up the team’s race packet prior to the race. Please refer to procedures at the front of the race guide or on the website SkitoSea.com for pickup times and location. The packet includes the team timing chip, racing bibs & t-shirts. The designated team representative must distribute items to team members. There will be no racing bibs at the exchange areas.

PRE-RACE MEETING:
There will be a pre-race meeting at 12:00 noon on Race Day in Zuanich Park to discuss the course and answer any questions. It is important that all kayakers attend this meeting.

EQUIPMENT and SAFETY:
Kayakers must be capable of performing a self-rescue (e.g. roll) and users of ‘sit-on-top’ surfskis should be capable of performing remounts. Olympic Flatwater kayaks and trainers are illegal because they are unstable for bay conditions. The kayak must be paddled by one person with a double-bladed paddle as the sole means of propulsion. Single outrigger canoes must be paddled with a single-bladed paddle. All boats must have positive flotation such as bulkheads or air-bags that will stay in place. U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD’s must be worn. All paddlers are required to have a whistle. Paddle or boat leashes are required for surfskis and OC1’s. It is recommended that spray skirts be used, but only if you have been trained in how to wet exit while wearing them. Paddle floats, flares and/or signal devices are highly recommended. Cold water can cause shock and hypothermia; wear or have available clothing (wet suit or pile) that will keep you warm in the event of inclement weather or immersion.

NOTE: Rec. Division kayaks must be wider than .095 times the overall length (this is 20.5” wide for an 18’ long boat). No racing hulls or down-river boats are allowed. Most sea kayaks qualify. For example: Impulse, Glider, Seal, Mariner II, Arluk II and Seastar would qualify. The Heron, Arluk I, Phantom and Valhalla Surf Ski do not qualify. Single-paddle outrigger canoes are allowed in all divisions except recreational. Any kayaker viewed with their life jacket off during the course of the race risks the chance of having their team disqualified.

COURSE:
The kayaker will receive the timing chip from the mountain biker. The kayaker is responsible for the mountain biker’s time. Please be in position when your team mate is approaching. The kayaker will swipe the chip to create a finish/start time, kayak to Fairhaven, and swipe the chip for a final finish time and give the chip to the attendant.

The general course will begin at Squalicum Harbor, Pete Zuanich Park, and end at Post Point, Marine Park. The course is from Pete Zuanich Park to the Outfall Buoy, to Marker 1 at the Log Boom, to Marker 2 at the north end of Boulevard Park, to Marker 3 at the south end of Boulevard Park, to Marker 4 off the Concrete Dry Dock and on to the finish line at Marine Park, where the kayaker will get out of his/her boat, run up the course and down the chute, ring the bell, and then swipe the chip. Don’t forget to swipe the chip, as it indicates your leg time and your team’s finish time.

The kayaker must remove the kayak from the finish line area within 5 MINUTES after crossing the finish line due to limited space. The race course may be shortened in the case of inclement weather. While conditions can be calm (with a one-foot chop & boat wakes), they typically are windier and rougher. It is the kayaker’s responsibility for any danger incurred.

All remaining kayaks will be released at 5:00 PM. Any racers who are not making forward progress or are still on the course at 7:00 PM will be disqualified and asked to leave the course. This is not only for your safety, but as a courtesy to the officers and volunteers who have spent all day on the water. In the event of extreme weather conditions, this leg of the race may be canceled at any time. Race results will then be determined by the Race Committee. For spectators, the race may be viewed from Pete Zuanich Park, the Hotel Bellwether, the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Boulevard Park or Marine Park.

INFRACTION OF RULES:
Infraction of the rules by one team member will disqualify the entire team.

RESULTS:
It is important for all racers to show their bib numbers when crossing the exchange areas. Timing of individual legs may vary based upon exchange area layout. Therefore, personal time kept by racers may not correspond to official results.

VOLUNTEERING FOR SEA KAYAK LEG:

If you want to volunteer for the Sea Kayak Leg of the race, please click on the link at the left side of this page titled: Volunteer. You will be contacted by the Leg Chair.

	SEA KAYAK RACE CHAIR: Dave Ringwald Bellingham, WA USA
Bellingham Bay Conditions: Larry Bussinger Bellingham, WA USA

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