Slalom and Downriver RacesMarch 15 & 16, 2008 If you cannot find the information you need, contact the Race Director, John Niebling, at (314) 974-6938. For info on volunteering, 2008 Race Registration Form [ PDF - 640 KB ] Where: St. Francis River (Class II - III), Millstream Gardens Conservation Area, Fredericktown, MO. Registration: Pre-registration must be postmarked before March 8 or hand-delivered to the Registrar or Race Director NO LATER than Friday, March 14, at 7 PM. See refund note below. Limit is 75 decked boats and 60 open boats. Pre-registration is very strongly recommended! Race Schedule: Wire setup is Saturday, March 8, with party for the volunteers that night at the Silver Mines upper campground group campsite. Final course setup and gate-hanging is Friday, March 14. |
 Download flyer [ PDF - 365 KB ] |
Class Definitions
Saturday "Expert" classes are really defined by the boat rather than the paddler's expertise. All boats must be legal by International Canoe Federation rules:
K1: 3.5M minimum length, 60 CM minimum width, 9 KG minimum weight
C1: 3.5M, 65 CM, 10 KG
C2: 4.1M, 75CM, 11 KG
Note that under the new ICF minimum length rule (11' 5-1/2"), a number of old-school plastic K1s would be legal to race in Expert.
Saturday: "Novice" means the paddler has never placed (medaled) in a Slalom race before, regardless of skill level or years boating. Also, if the paddler has medaled in the Downriver but not Slalom, he/she may run “Novice” classes for slalom.
Saturday age group classes are for plastic boats only, any length.
C1 Plastic is any length boat, with no age classes.
Sunday Plastic K1 classes are broken up into Long (7' 6" and up) and Short (under 7' 6") boats. There is no segregation by age or skill in the Long/Short classes. Paddlers may run one or the other, but not both.
For the downriver race, "Novice" means the paddler has never placed in a Downriver race before. Paddlers who have medaled in Slalom but not Downriver may run the “Novice” class.
Downriver K1 Plastic is any length boat, all ages combined. Note that someone who meets the definition of Downriver "Novice" may enter K1 Plastic or K1 Glass instead, if he/she chooses.
Boatercross: open to all ages (with signed parental consent for minors), boats (canoes, kayaks) and gender.
Downloadable copy of the Class Definitions[ PDF - 28 KB ]
Rules
Races will follow traditional MWC race rules (based on ICF rules, but with some exceptions, primarily in classes, age groups and
scoring. Scoring will use 0/5/50 and best of two runs).
Number of runs & classes: Individual paddlers and tandem teams are permitted a maximum of two judged runs per slalom class
and a maximum of three slalom classes per day. Race Committee reserves the right to limit total number of runs and classes.
Boatercross -- New for 2008
There will be strict disqualification for ANY intentional harm to another paddler or “skirting” the gates. No slashing with paddles,
punching or grabbing or pulling on another PERSON, their helmet or PFD. Grabbing, pushing, or pulling of boats, skirt loops, etc. is
allowed. Boat loops may also be taped down with duck-tape.
Course Description & Rules
Emphasis of Boatercross is FUN not competition! There will be 3-5 boat heats for each round with single elimination. The winner
of EACH heat will advance to the final round. Actual course length, starting line, schedule of heats and final heat will be determined
at the time of the race since these are dependant on water level and racer participation.
The course will start at the designated Boatercross start line. When announced by the Starting Judge, each heat of 3-5 racers will
line up side by side, bows facing downstream. The start will be a “rolling start” so that when the Starting Judge determines that all
racers in a heat are lined up EVENLY, he/she will immediately announce “GO!” as the start of the race.
Note: since this is a “head-to-head” style race, timing the racers is NOT required. When lining up competitors, the Starting Judge
may ask racers to “Back-up,” “Move Forward” to ensure that the boats are lined up and no one has an unfair advantage. Racers
should pay close attention to the Starting Judge, as he/she may announce “GO!” at any moment after deciding that the boats are
lined up evenly. Any racers who fail to respond to the commands of the Starting Judge’s orders may be disqualified from the
event.
When the Starting Judge says “GO!” racers will paddle into the main flow of the river and negotiate the three gates in succession
and cross the main finish line at the bottom of the course. The gates are wider & marked with fluorescent paint to distinguish them
from the regular “slalom” course. The gates will be negotiated as upstream the first, downstream the second, and upstream the
last, with a sprint to the finish line. The first person to cross the finish line with their boat wins that heat.
Each heat will be completed before the next one begins.
The top two finishers from each heat will advance to a second round using the same course, until 4-5 racers remain (depending on
the number of people who enter, and subsequently, the number of heats). These 4 or 5 finalists will race to decide the overall
winner.
When the top two finishers of a given heat are identified by the Finishing Judge, they will be required to follow the instructions
regarding who they will be paired up with for the next race.
Boats & Classes
There are no separate gender or boat classes in Boatercross—it is an open event. Competitors may race in kayaks (K-1), or
canoes (C-1). Solo or tandem.
Safety
Paddlers: PFDs and protective whitewater headgear are required. Wet suits or dry suits are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Be prepared for cold water.
Boats: Decked boats must have endloops and be unsinkable. Full flotation and/or bulkheads will suffice. Open canoes must have endloops and no less than 10- and no more than 15-cubic feet of secured flotation which must be below the water line & not impede water flow.
Boat inspection: All race boats must be inspected and pass length, material and safety (flotation) requirements. NOTICE: Boats not meeting flotation requirements will not be allowed on the course!
Work Assignments: Each racer completing the course must remain afloat at the finish to help with safety until relieved by the next 2 boats. Paddler work assignments are required each day the paddler races. Racer is responsible for getting & fulfilling work assignments. Worker substitution is allowed (family member, etc.)! Not working may result in disqualification! Volunteers: If in doubt, see the Volunteer Coordinator on Saturday morning for volunteer needs. Thanks!
Volunteers
Among the volunteer jobs to be filled are:
Safety Boaters: Must be proficient in on-water rescue. Selection determined by Safety Chair. Racers are required to assist other boaters as needed. Each boat completing the course must remain afloat at the finish until relieved by the next 2 boats!
Sales Table: Working raffle table/ selling shirts, banquet tickets. Must be MWA member in good standing.
Start/finish: Work start/finish line
Public Address: Announce races, and other events over PA system.
Parking (morning only): Direct cars to appropriate parking
The following require pre-event training. We’re happy to train!
Communications: Send times, gate scores, other data between start/finish, judging stations and scoring tents using the supplied radios.
Timing: Operate one of the following-start or finish timing, boat scheduling at start.
Scoring: Operate computer scoring, organize times, gate scores, or post scores.
Refunds: All fees except $15 will be refunded if a racer withdraws because he/she feels the course is beyond his/her ability to safely negotiate due to high water level or if the race is canceled for any reason. A t-shirt will be sent with all refunds.
Additional Information
Setup: Initial course setup will be on Saturday, March 8, beginning at 10 AM. This involves stringing wires for the gates across the river, so bring your gloves, wire cutters, pliers, and water. Camp-out and party follows on Saturday night for setup volunteers at the Silver Mines Group Campsite (see map). Final course setup (stringing the gates) is the following Friday, March 14, usually followed by gate practice, race training or recreational paddling. Come help out and have fun!
Awards are presented to the first three eligible finishers in each class. There must be at least three boats to constitute a class. Awards are presented after course takedown on Sunday.
Race Banquet: Saturday evening at 6 PM (dinner at 7) at the Arcadia Valley Country Club (off Hwy 72, just before Ironton). Tickets are $15 adults, $5 ages 6-12, children under 3 are free. Reserve your ticket by sending in money with preregistration. Tickets will also be available at the t-shirt sales table until 3 PM Saturday.
Paddler/Volunteers' Raffle: A drawing will be held Sunday after course takedown for racers and volunteers (remember: helping to take down the course is MANDATORY for all racers). Paddling gear and accessories will be given away.
Important
Because of the variable water levels of the St. Francis River, participants are strongly advised to verify if the race will be held
before traveling long distances. Check the message board for the latest info. The following outdoors stores will also have definite information after NOON on THURSDAY, March 13:
Alpine Shop
(314) 962-7715
440 North Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122
www.alpineshop.com
Brentwood REI
(314) 918-1004
1703 S. Brentwood
www.rei.com
Millstream Gardens & Silver Mines Recreation Area are located west of Fredericktown, & east of Ironton/Arcadia off State Highway 72 (see map). Fredericktown is about 90 miles southwest of St. Louis off State Highway 67. Lodging, food, gasoline, etc., are all available in the Fredericktown/Ironton/Arcadia area. Camping is available at Silver Mines Recreation Area (see map). Concessions will be available at the race site both Saturday and Sunday.
Parking: Due to limited parking at the put-in, only racers and volunteers will be allowed access. All others need to park at the visitor parking lot. Failure to comply may result in being ticketed by Missouri Dept. of Conservation officers. An overflow parking lot may be available for a small charge. Warning: parking may be muddy.
Other Rules: Please don't litter. Spectators and racers should pick up after themselves and others-use waste bins. Dogs must be leashed at all times! No outside solicitation is allowed. Alcohol will not be sold but you may bring your own-please drink responsibly.
The Missouri Whitewater Championships are organized and administered by the Missouri Whitewater Association, with lots of
invaluable help from the Ozark Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Missouri Department of conservation and lots of other volunteers
and organizations. These races are sanctioned by the American Canoe Association (ACA).
Downloadable copy of Rules, Safety, Volunteer and Additional Information [ PDF - 148 KB ]
Last updated February 5, 2008