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General Liffey Descent Rules
1. The International Liffey Descent is run under the auspices of Canoeing Ireland.
2. Canoeing Ireland will appoint a Race Coordinator to manage, develop, and promote the International Liffey Descent.
3. The International Liffey Descent will be bound by ICF or CI Marathon Racing Rules in relation to racing classes only.
4. The International Liffey Descent will be run under the general Liffey Descent rules and any such rules as the Race Coordinator decides to implement to ensure the safe and successful organisation of the International Liffey Descent. The Race Coordinator may make a ruling at any time and on any matter not specifically covered under the general Liffey Descent rules prior or during the International Liffey Descent. Any such rulings will be contained in the Pre- Race notes, in an amendment to the racing rules or may be announced at the Start line.
5. The Race Coordinator reserves the right to accept or reject any entry if in the opinion of the Race Coordinator, the entrant is ineligible or incompetent to participate in the International Liffey Descent.
6. The Race Coordinator’s decisions relating to classes, dimensions, type of craft, non-acceptance of an entry, etc. will be considered final, subject to the right of appeal to the marathon committee.
7. All entrants must be a minimum of 16 years of age as of the 1st January 2017 (Competitors under the age of 18 years as of the 1st January 2018 are considered Juniors and must have their parental consent to compete in the event) and currently registered as members of Canoeing Ireland or currently registered members of a recognised National Canoeing Federation.
8. No entry will be accepted unless submitted on an official entry form or through the Canoeing Ireland website.
9. The Race Coordinator will be empowered, if deemed necessary in the interests of safety, or otherwise, to limit the number of entrants in specific classes and if this right is implemented, to accept entries in order of receipt of entry form.
10. By submission of an official Liffey Descent entry form, it is considered that entrants and support crews are acquainted with all Race Rules. In consideration of an application of a penalty, it will not be considered a defence, an excuse, or mitigating factor that an entrant or support crew member was unaware of the existence of a rule.
11. Entrants must enter a class based on the dimensions of their kayak/canoe as defined in the Class Definitions
12. All competitors must comply with the spirit and intent of the Liffey Descent. The following, though not exclusively, by competitors or support crews may result in a penalty up to and including disqualification (1) Non compliance with the General Liffey Descent Rules or such rules as may be decided by the Race Coordinator from time to time (2) Failure to obey reasonable requests from a race official (3) Interfering with other competitors’ craft (4) Illegal assistance (5) Failure of equipment to comply with scrutineering (6) Interference with the operation of the Rescue Teams (7) Failure to render assistance in an emergency situation (8) Acting in a manner detrimental to other competitors.
13. In the event of a capsize, competitors may be assisted from the water and receive assistance in emptying their craft in preparing for re-entering the race but may not be progressed in any other way.
14. Assistance may not be received by any competitor at any portage.
15. A competitor may by prior agreement with the Race Coordinator receive assistance from designated helpers at any portage.
16. Any competitor may receive assistance from supporters in the matter of First Aid, sustenance, change of clothing, help with repairs, replacement of faulty or damaged equipment including paddles, but not the replacement of the craft itself.
17. Wash hanging or receiving assistance from any craft not in the race is not permitted.
18. To ensure adequate safety cover, competitors arriving later than the designated times as detailed in the Pre-Race notes at Leixlip Portage or Wren’s Nest Weir will be considered to have retired from the race as Rescue Support will have been withdrawn at the times specified in the Pre Race Notes.
19. Any competitor withdrawing from the race for any reason is required to notify a Race Official at the finish as soon as possible.
20. The International Liffey Descent will be deemed finished at 16:00. All Rescue Support and time keeping will cease at this time. Any competitor arriving at the Finish after 4:30pm will not be timed and will not appear in the final results.
21. Any competitor seeing another competitor in real danger is compelled to render all assistance possible. Failure to do so may result in disqualification for life.
22. Interference by any competitor or support crew member with the Rescue Teams or the safe operation of the International Liffey Descent is liable to immediate expulsion from the race and possible disqualification for life.
23. All competitors must ensure that their allocated Race Numbers and the International Liffey Descent Logo are clearly visible both on their Race Bibs and on the front of their craft.
24. Approved buoyancy aids must be worn by all competitors.
25. Approved helmets are mandatory for K1 Class B, K1 Class C, T2, Canoes and under 18 paddlers in all classes. Helmets are highly recommended to be worn in all other classes.
26. Scrutineering will take place between 08:30 am and 10:30 am in the International Liffey Descent Car Park in Straffan. Competitors failing to present their craft and equipment for scrutineering will not be allowed into the Start Area.
27. On the day of the Descent, the right to protest lies solely with a competitor who may consider themselves aggrieved or affected by any decision or action by an official, competitor or other person connected with the Descent except that there will be no right to protest against a refusal of entry. Each protest incurs a €50 fee, refundable if protest is upheld only.
28. Nothing in Rule 27 will affect or prejudice the right and duty of any official, acting in an official capacity, to take such action as may be deemed proper in any circumstances regardless of whether a protest has been lodged.
29. Protests should be lodged in writing and with the €50 protest fee as soon as possible after the occurrence but in any case not later than 5:30 pm on the day of the Descent directly to the Race Coordinator.
30. All protests will be heard and adjudicated on by a Protest Committee consisting of the Race Coordinator, CI marathon committee and 1 other person.
31. The hearing of a protest will take place as soon as practicable after the lodging of a protest. All parties will be given adequate notice of the time and place of the hearing of the protest.
32. It is expected that all parties affected by a decision of the Protest Committee will agree to be bound by the decision of the Protest Committee. The decision of the Protest Committee will be considered final, however, a right to appeal to the ICU Board of Management may exist and this right will comply with the Appeals Procedures of Canoeing Ireland.
33. I do not have any medical condition (including pregnancy) which may be worsened, or increase chance of injury, by participating in the race.
34. I understand that this is a physically demanding activity and accept that there is a risk of injury when undertaking this course and acknowledge that I am responsible for my own safety.I clearly understand that some areas of the race course are remote and as such I undertake to take due care and responsibility for my person and will undertake not to take any unnecessary risks that my put my life or the life of another competitor at risk.
35. I have read and understood the rules and safety notices.
36. I agree to abide by all safety rules and regulations and to respond to race officers immediately. I agree to leave the river immediately, if I am directed to do so, due to my carelessness or negligence and endangering my safety or that of others.
37. I understand that anyone deemed to be under the influence of drink or drugs will be refused entry, without refund.
38. I understand that Canoeing Ireland reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at the race, for promotional purposes of Canoeing Ireland, without the written permission of those included within the photograph/video.