Blackburn Challenge Race Rules

Nutshell/TLDR: You will be paddling, rowing, or drowning in a 20-mile open ocean event, and you are responsible for your own safety.

• An inherent risk exists for your exposure to hypothermia, hyperthermia, dehydration, and/or other physical medical emergencies.

• An Inherent risk exists for your exposure to natural open ocean conditions and phenomena including sunlight, heat, cold, wind, waves, currents, wind, fog, precipitation, lightning, and potentially-dangerous marine fauna.

• You are responsible to carry the safety equipment required for this kind of extreme event including PFD, noisemaker, and mobile navigation/communications device(s).

• Commercial and recreational fishing vessels are present and substantial boat traffic exists creating hazard for collision, particularly within Gloucester Harbor.

The CARC is not responsible for your decision to accept these risks. Your decision to participate in and successfully complete the Blackburn Challenge is best supported by prior experience with all of the above-noted conditions.

While participating in the Blackburn Challenge I understand that:

1. I am ultimately and solely responsible for my safety during this event and participate at my own risk.

2. I am required to wear or carry a PFD on board my vessel.

3. I am required to carry a VHF radio and/or cell phone in a waterproof case, with a lanyard attached to my person/PFD.

4. I am required to carry a noise-making device, attached to my person/PFD.

5. I am required to carry a GPS and/or compass.

6. I am required to carry my own food and hydration.

7. I am required to use a spray skirt when paddling a sit-inside kayak

8. I am required to pull out of the race if I do not reach the halfway check-in point at Straitsmouth Island within 3 hours of my starting time.

9. I am required to pull out of the race if I do not reach the finish line at Pavilion Beach within 6 hours of my start time.

10. I am required to notify the race committee immediately if I decide to pull out of the race.

11. Safety boats may, but are not obligated to remain on the course beyond the 6-hour mark.

12. I am required to clear the boat ramp at GHS in a timely manner when putting in and taking out my vessel.

13. I am required to feel confident about my open-water skills and my ability to remain with and remount my vessel in open water.

14. I must not park my vehicle in the areas designated for boat trailers at Gloucester High School.

15. I must not park my vehicle in the Chamber of Commerce parking lot.

16. I am required to stay within the fenced area with alcoholic beverages at the after-race party. (Do not bring alcohol on the beach).

17. If I do not comply with these rules, set forth by the race committee and the City of Gloucester, I may be banned from this race in the future.

Safety Equipment Requirements for Multi-Person Entries

1. Each individual crew member must have onboard:
- Wearable PFD, in good condition
- Spray skirt for sit-inside kayaks and OC-6 outrigger canoes
- Fluids and provisions to fuel several hours of physical exertion

2. Each boat must have onboard:
- Mobile communication device, such as cell phone or marine radio, in a waterproof case
- Audible noise-making device, such as a whistle or airhorn

The Cape Ann Rowing Club reserves the right, at any time, to:

• Refuse to register any individual or boat, for any reason.

• Expel or disqualify any individual or boat for lack of required equipment, unsafe operation, disregard for event rules or unsportsmanlike behavior.

• Disqualify any individual or boat who has gained an advantage by drafting any boat outside of its registered class, blocking an overtaking boat, ignoring someone in distress, or causing damage to another craft.