Although Dragon Boating is not dangerous, safety is something the festival organiser takes very seriously. So everyone’s agreement and attention to the terms and conditions below is required from all team members before you will be 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 reserve). In the opinion of the helm, where the weight of the crews or conditions on the day makes safe boat handling a problem, the boat’s helm has the absolute authority to require the crew to reduce the number of paddlers or swap the paddlers. No refunds or reductions will be offered for crews competing or entering with less than the prescribed number.

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Drummers

Every team must have a drummer for each race.

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Event Safety – Swimming

All crew members must be declared confident and competent in deep water and capable of swimming 50 metres with the aid of an approved personal flotation device (buoyancy aid). Such buoyancy aids will be provided by the event’s organisers for competitors’ use whilst on the water.

 

Personal Items

It would the individuals’ responsibility for personal items brought on site and the event organisers assume no responsibility for stolen or damaged belongings.

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Disqualification

In circumstances where any team member(s) are, in the opinion of any official from the organisers, deliberately trying to capsize the boat or behaving in such a way that could result in either damage to the boats or a danger to the crew, then those officials have the authority to disqualify the team member(s) from further participation in 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 refuses to leave, then the whole team will be disqualified from further participation in the day. No refund will be due to any person/team disqualified.

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Special Needs

Where any team member(s) is either disabled or ‘having special needs’, then for safety reasons they must inform the boat’s helm prior to each race. Persons such identified to the helm will then be given a ‘day-glo’ jacket which must be worn over the buoyancy aid whilst in the boat and must be handed back to the boat’s helm or event marshal when the crew member(s) disembark the boat.

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Previous Experience

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

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Safety Brief

All team members are required to partake in the team safety brief before the start of their first race (the specific time slot together with 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

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Minimum Age

In the interests of safety, a minimum age of 16 years old is set for competitors.

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Cancellation 

Once the application is confirmed, the entry fee is non-refundable.

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Festival Cancellation 

In the unlikely event that any emergency situation arose, which posed a risk to the health and safety of teams and audiences, the event would be cancelled. Teams would be able to transfer the registration to the next event and details of the next steps would be discussed.

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Award Ceremony 

During the award ceremony, the winning team will be presented with a trophy and event prize, and medals will be given for gold, silver and bronze. This would make a great photo opportunity for the newsletter/company website.