Although the Dragon Boat Race is not dangerous, safety remains essential to all concerned, especially the Event Organiser. Each team must read the terms and conditions below carefully and accept them before they enter the race and are allowed to compete on the water.

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Crew Numbers.  

 

Crews may register up to 11 people in their team (not including the members on the reserve list). The Helm for each racing boat has the absolute authority on the day. The helm makes an assessment of the weight of the crew and whether the boat is safe enough to race on the water. The Helm has the power to require the crew to reduce the number of paddlers or swap the paddlers.

 

No refund or fee discount for crews competing or entering the race with fewer crew members than the prescribed 11 crew members

 

For school teams: Participants must be at the age of 16 and above who have consent from their guardians. Each team must include at least one but no more than two adults who are over 19.

 

Drummers. Every team must have a drummer for each race.

 

Event safety – swimming. 

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All crew members must be declared to be confident and competent swimmers in deep water and be capable of swimming for 50 metres with the aid of an approved personal flotation device (buoyancy aid).

 

Such buoyancy aids will be provided by the race organisers for crews’ use whilst on the water.

DECLARATION OF FITNESS TO COMPETE -Participants must declare prior to the race and again on the day of the event if they have any of the following conditions:

• Any heart condition, chest pain, or shortness of breath

• High or low blood pressure

• Episodes of dizziness or fainting

• Recent surgery

• Bone or joint problems (such as spinal injuries or arthritis)

• Any other conditions that they think may cause potential risks to their participation

 

Personal Items brought on site remain the individual's own responsibility, and the event organisers bear no responsibility for any stolen or damaged personal items.

 

Disqualification

 

In circumstances where any team member(s) are, as determined by any official from the Organiser, deliberately attempting to capsize the boat or behaving in such a way that could result in either damaging the boats or a endangering the crew, then those officials have the authority to disqualify the team member(s) on the spot stopping them from further competition of the day. Where such person(s) are disqualified but refuse to leave the crew, it is the responsibility of the Team Captain to remove the disqualified person(s). If the disqualified person(s) still refuse to leave, then the whole team will be disqualified from further participation for the day. No refund will be given to any person/team disqualified.

 

Special Needs

 

If any crew member has a mobility issue need or other special need, they must inform the Boat’s Helmsman prior to each race. The helm will give each crew member with special needs a ‘Day-Glo’ jacket, which must be worn over the buoyancy aid whilst in the boat, and the ‘Day-Glo’ jacket must be handed back to the boat’s helm or event marshal when disembarking the boat.

 

Previous experience

 

No previous experience of Dragon Boat Racing is required in order to compete, and all crews compete at their own risk.

 

Safety Briefing

 

All team members are required to participate and pay close attention to the team safety brief before the start of their first race (the specific time slot, together with the racing schedule, will be given before the event day). The safety brief will cover:

• How to hold the paddle correctly

• The various commands you will hear from the Helm and what each one means

• How to move the boat forward and how to stop the boat

• How to stop the boat capsizing

• The “Buddy Buddy” system and what to do in the event of a capsize.
  
  Minimum Age. In the interests of safety, all competitors must be at least sixteen years old or above.

 

Cancellation 

 

Once the race application is confirmed and paid, the entry fee is fully refundable if the cancellation is made 45 working days prior to the Event day; 50% refund if cancelled 35 working days prior to the Event and 30% refund will be offered if cancelled 25 working days prior to the Event. It is non-refundable within 25 working days towards the Event

Festival cancellation

 

In the unlikely situation that any emergency arose, which presents health and safety hazards to the participating teams and audiences, the event will be cancelled. Teams would be able to transfer the registration fee to the next event, and details of how to transfer to the following year will be shared in due course. 

Award Ceremony

 

During the award ceremony, the winning teams will be presented with a trophy and event prize, and medals in the form of gold, silver and bronze. Media and photographers, friends/families are invited to take photos of the winning teams. Images of such memorable moments are normally used for the event newsletter and the respective company website.