- The Prime Directive
All rules are subject to interpretation by the on-site race manager and/or Chief. Any dispute is settled by Chief. - Changes to the Rules
The rules are fine tuned after each event. Changes, additions, and deletions will occur from time-to-time when loopholes are found or clarifications are needed. Except for clerical errors, rules will not changed within 30 days of an event or while an event is underway. However, remember the Prime Directive. - No Outside Authority
WaterTribe events are not subject to interpretation by any outside authority for any reason. Any participant who tries to take a class or rule dispute to an outside authority shall be immediately disqualified. - No Support
WaterTribe events are unsupported. Family and friends should watch your progress online and should not be encouraged to meet you at checkpoints. Of course meeting you at the end of the race is a great idea and can provide a nice family vacation while you are out torturing yourself. Participants may not receive material support from family, friends, shore contacts, shore crews, bank runners, or so called team captains. You are on your own. For some events this rule may be modified due to special conditions.
Special permission may be obtained from the Race Manager or Chief if you need assistance to fix broken or lost equipment. - Your Safety Is Your Responsibility
You are responsible for your own safety. You are captain or crew of your own boat. You make the decisions. You must sign a waiver and agree to hold any person or entity involved with any WaterTribe event harmless and further agree not to sue for any reason what so ever. You must sign one or more waivers before each event. If the waivers are not signed, you are not part of the event. - Expedition-Style
You must bring a full camping load and be self sufficient for the entire event. It is OK to resupply yourself at stores found along the way. You may use restaurants and hotels if you want as long as nothing is prearranged. Each event has a required equipment list which allows a lot of latitude in how you meet each requirement because your safety is your responsibility. - Event Cancellation
WaterTribe reserves the right to cancel any event at any time for any reason or for no reason. If WaterTribe decides an event must be canceled, all entrance fees will be refunded. WaterTribe events usually are not cancelled due to weather, but it is your decision whether it is safe enough to launch. - No Obligation
WaterTribe is under no obligation to anyone unless there is a specific, written contract with WaterTribe. No Challenger or Race Official or Volunteer may make any verbal or implied contracts on behalf of WaterTribe. - Routes and Checkpoints
The routes will be chosen by the captains of each boat, but all boats and crew must check in at specific checkpoints as described for each Challenge. - Camping Along the Way
Camping between checkpoints is encouraged, but you must follow all laws and regulations by any “controlling legal authority.” If you hear the term “stealth camping,” we do not mean that you break laws or trespass. We only mean that you “leave no trace” and cause no disturbance. - Deadlines
Deadlines will be set for each checkpoint as determined in each Challenge. Missing two deadlines will usually result in a DNF. Missing one deadline may result in a DNF. Some deadlines may be relaxed if you notify race management of your ETA and provide a valid reason for the delay.
If you cannot make it to a checkpoint by the deadline, you MUST call race officials and inform them of your status. If you do not contact race officials within two hours of a missed deadline, you will be reported to the Coast Guard or other authorities as a missed float plan and you may be disqualified at the discretion of the race manager. You could be liable for search and rescue costs. If you are outside cell phone range, an OK Message from your SPOT can be used instead of a call. - Dropping Out
If you decide to drop out of the race, you are on your own. If you do not inform race officials that you have dropped out, you may be liable for search and rescue expenses. Hitting the SPOT Help Message button indicates dropping out. That should be immediately followed by an OK Message. Help/OK means dropping out. - Correct Use of SPOT
a. At least one working SPOT is required for all boats.
b. Tracking Mode – while moving on the water. If you don’t have a tracking subscription, you can send continuous OK messages instead.
c. OK Message – Stopping for a period of time OR at a checkpoint OR after a dangerous situation has been overcome. Note that the OK Message at the checkpoint is your official time for that checkpoint. If you don’t send an OK Message, you weren’t there.
d. Custom Message – Stopping to camp or anchor for a period of time. This can also be used for a checkpoint.
e. Help Message followed by OK Message – dropping out. Call your shore contact to arrange any actual help you need.
f. SOS or 911 followed be Help should only be used in life threatening situations. You may be responsible for search and rescue costs.
g. Read your SPOT instruction manual
h. Your SPOT must be in a waterproof bag with a dessicant pack and you must have practice with using it. It must be located where you can see it and operate it.
i. Rental SPOTs will no longer be accepted. You must own it and use it prior to the event. - PLB Is Required
Each participant must have their own working PLB attached to their lifejacket. No exceptions. - Transportation During and After Events
Transportation back to your car from the finish line or your drop out point for any challenge is up to you. - Coast Guard and Regulation Compliance
Each boat shall be required to comply with all Coast Guard and local regulations. A lifejacket or PFD must be worn at all times when on the water. However, enforcement will be up to regular law enforcement agents — not race officials. - Some Equipment Required
There is a list of required and suggested equipment that applies to all WaterTribe events. See the lists at the end of this document. Note that other equipment that is not included in these lists may be required for safe and efficient participation in these events. Such additional equipment is your responsibility. - Helping Others
With the exception of the Start, you will not be disqualified due to helping another boat that is in distress. In fact you must come to the aid of any WaterTribe Challenger who needs assistance if doing so does not endanger you, your crew, or your boat. You may even tow another WaterTribe Challenger, raft up, provide food or water, just about anything without any penalty to you as long as you are both in the race. On the other hand, outside assistance is not allowed except for emergency rescues.IMPORTANT: Any WaterTribe who needs help such as towing, food, water, or anything else that indicates the lack of ability to safely take part in WaterTribe events may be DQed and/or barred from subsequent WaterTribe events. - Setup and Start
a. No boat may be placed on the beach until the captain has registered and the captain and crew have signed waivers.
b. Boats may be carried across the grass by one or two registered racers.
c. Boats may be rolled across the grass on boat carts by registered racers.
d. Classes 4 and 5 boats that cannot make it across the picnic area by cart or by being carried by one or two persons may use the park access road but must get a permission certificate and display that certificate in the front window of their vehicle. Rollers or other aids may be used within the park rules (no digging of holes and no attaching lines to trees), but all launching devices must be removed before the start.
e. If the race manager gets park permission trailer unloading from the park road will be allowed for classes 4 and 5. Most years this is OK. There still will be no lifting of boats, but rollers and sliding are allowed.
f. Only the captain and crew may launch the boat at the start. No other racer may aid in the launch. Rollers, slides, tracks, anchors, or other launching aids must be stored in the boat and may not be deployed until the race starts. - Danger
These are dangerous races across open or moving water and you may encounter sharks, rays, whales, alligators, poisonous snakes, pythons, and other critters that bite or sting or suck your blood. Tides and weather will be a factor as well as numerous power boats, both pleasure and commercial. Read the entire WARNING. Be prepared for adventure!
DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, FORGET THE PRIME DIRECTIVE.