2009 Bay Trust OPOTIKI Motu Challenge

Activity	Date	Time	Location
Race Briefing	Friday 9 Oct	7:30pm	Deluxe Theatre, Church St, Opotiki
Registration	Friday 9 Oct	6:00 - 8:30pm	Deluxe Theatre, Church St, Opotiki
Late Registration	Saturday 10 Oct	5:45 - 6:30am	Start Line - Elliott St, Opotiki
Race Start	Saturday 10 Oct	7:00am	Elliott St, Opotiki
Prize Giving	Saturday 10 Oct	6:30pm	Opotiki Domain Reserve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 * Food will be available for sale at finish line

2009 Bay Trust Motu Challenge rules - download here

Eligibility to Compete

• Entries are open to individuals, two, three and four person teams.
• Competitors must be 16 years of age or over, unless competing in a team. 
• Signed consent from a parent or guardian will be required for competitors under 16 years of age. 
• With two person teams – one person may compete in up to three stages. 
• Mixed teams must include at least one member of each gender.
• Competitors in the Veteran category must be at least 40 + years of age on race day.
• Competitors in the Classic Mens catagory must be at least 50 + years of age on race day.
• A registration form must be completed for each competitor or team and the entry fee paid by the closing date for entries.
• The declaration form must be completed by or on behalf of every competitor.

Medical Conditions and Treatment

All competitors with existing medical conditions that may affect them during the Challenge must notify officials in writing before the Challenge begins. The official doctor or any other Challenge official shall have the absolute right to withdraw any competitor they consider unfit to continue. Participation in the Challenge constitutes consent by each competitor to receiving any medical attention that organisers or officials may consider necessary or desirable in the case of apparent illness, injury or accident.

No Refund of Entry Fee

OPOTIKI’S BAY TRUST Motu Challenge may take place in all weathers and will not be cancelled unless a natural disaster occurs. The entry fee is not refundable after 4 pm, 30th September 2008 under any circumstances.

Race Number

Competitors must wear the issued bib in all stages of the race and it must be clearly visible at all times. Bibs must be worn on top of all garments and other equipment (eg, life jacket, water pack, windproof jacket, etc). The wearing of a bib with the number partly or wholly obscured will result in the competitor or the Competitor’s team being disqualified. Team members must not remove numbers until they are inside the transition area. Kayak and bike helmet stickers must be displayed.

Mountain Bike & Road Bike Stages

Competitors on any bike stage may use any type of road bike/mountain bike except recumbent. No pods or fairings are allowed. Competitors will not be allowed to change bikes during a stage. (All bikes used to start the stage must be the ones the competitors use throughout the duration of the stage). Competitors must obey the road code at all times. All competitors must dismount their bikes before entering transition areas. All competitors must make their own repairs; no outside help is permitted. Competitors should have bunch-riding experience. Bike helmets must be worn in all bike stages, and must be NZ Safety Standards approved or USA Z 90.4 Standard.

Run Stage

For safety reasons, only two competitor will be permitted on the Motu Fall's swing bridge at one time. NO RUNNING is permitted on the bridge. Any competitor seen running will be given a time penalty. A Department of Conservation observer will be present at the bridge.

No dogs are permitted at Motu Village.

Kayak Stage

Competitors should be competent paddlers to a minimum Grade 2+ standard, be water confident and capable of self-rescue. Competitors must wear approved helmets and buoyancy vests. It is recommended a full set of polypropylene and booties are worn. Competitors will not be allowed to change kayaks during this stage. All kayaks must contain some form of floatation e.g. airbags & all kayaks must have front tow loops. A full set of kayak safety rules will be included in competitor race packs.

Cut Off Point

All competitors must be in kayaks and on the river at Oponae by 3.15pm. Due to operational and safety requirements, competitors will not be allowed onto the river after the cut-off time.

Transitions/Supplies For Competitors

Nutritional requirements can only be given to competitors between stages in transition areas. Water will be supplied at the half and two-thirds mark in the run stage.

Road Closures

The Motu Coach Road will be totally closed at both ends to all vehicular traffic apart from authorised safety and news media vehicles. Competitors must be aware that the road closure applies to residents within the closed section but the race organisers have no control over anyone who chooses to disobey the road closure so competitors must still be alert for unauthorised users.
 
All supporters and spectators must use the Waioeka Gorge (State Highway 2) route to Motu School. Support crews travelling to Motu School are to leave kayaks at the Stage 3-4 transition area at Oponae (clearly signposted). Only two crew supporters per individual competitor and one per team will be permitted in transition areas.

No Pacing

Competitors are not permitted to receive any form of pacing at any time during the event.

Injuries and Replacements

A team member may be replaced before the start of the Challenge provided written notification is given to the organisers.  Should a team member not finish a stage, the team will be allowed to complete the course but not qualify as a finisher, therefore being ineligible for placing prizes.  The race bib must still be worn and the timekeeping marshal must be told.

Rubbish

Any competitor who intentionally drops rubbish on any stage will be disqualified.

General

All lost property will be taken to the race finish and if not claimed it will be kept for six weeks then given away.  Contingency plans have been designed in case of inclement conditions.  Competitors and support crews will be informed of any changes at the full race briefing.  It is the competitor’s responsibility to have safe equipment and the Race Director strongly advises all entrants to have their equipment serviced and checked by a qualified technician before the race.

A comprehensive list of prizes will be posted upon confirmation.

Competitors can only enter once, in one team for the Motu Challenge. Unless prior arrangement with the race committe/director has been made.

Entrants can not change their structure of entry anytime after the entry closure date. For e.g. Joe Blogs entered as an individual then on race breifing night decides to form a two person team. This can not happen unless a weeks notice has been made to the Race Director. Even then the decision is at the race directors descression.
It is ok to change the order in which your original team was entered, with notification to the race committee prior to the start of the race.

Assistance to Other Competitors

In an emergency situation competitors must render assistance to any other competitor and alert safety personal of the situation.

Promotional Material

Participation in the Motu Challenge constitutes consent by each competitor to each competitor’s name, and photos and/or videos of competitors, being taken and used by the organisers, officials and sponsors for promotional purposes.

Following Instructions

All competitors must follow all instructions of organisers and officials, and the judges’ decision on any matter is final.