These Rules are subject to change at any time prior to the event, specifically related to amendments to Covid-19 Regulations.
COLOURED CO-VID WRIST BANDS
THESE ARE COMPULSORY – TO BE WORN AT ALL TIMES
ONE FOR THE PADDLER
TWO FOR THE SUPPORT CREW/SECOND
At present there are still National Co-vid Regulations at sporting events.
In order that our Start and Finish zones don’t get to capacity with outside spectators we have had to do the following.
Paddlers will require SUPPORT CREW (seconds). Whilst normal seconding is permitted down the route there are specific HIGH RISK areas where crowds generally gather. For this reason each paddler will be issued with 3 silicon armband accreditations. One PADDLER and two SUPPORT CREW accreditation. These are to be worn in order to access START and FINISH ZONES.
Children under the age of 12, will be permitted with an adult and will not need a band.
Please remember that masks are still compulsory.
C19 Compliance Officers may request that you leave an area due to the mass of people being exceeded, please comply immediately failing which the venue in question or event may be shut down.
If you change your SUPPORT CREW / SECOND during the event they will need to pass the band on. Please remember to sanitize the armband before passing it on.
ARMBANDS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES IN THESE AREAS. Anyone not wearing an armband will be instructed to leave the area immediately.
LOST ARMBANDS WILL NOT BE REPLACED.
REGISTRATION VENUE
KWAZULU-NATAL CANOE CLUB
C19 Access Screening at a single entrance gate to the designated area around KNCC.
REGISTRATION VENUE
KwaZulu-Natal Canoe Club – Top Deck
Restricted to 50 people max at any one time.
Only 1 representative per paddler is permitted access (Paddler or designated Support Crew) to this venue.
Once registration is completed the individual will be required to leave the club immediately.
Included in the paddler pack will be 2 accreditation silicone armbands, 1 for the paddler and 1 for support crew. These MUST be worn at all times to gain access to designated areas.
TRAINING / TRIPPING ON / FROM THE DRIFT
The grassed area / water is restricted to 50 people max at any one time.
Should a paddler be leaving the DRIFT via Ernie Pearce Weir they are to advise the officials on duty that they will not be returning via this access point.
C19 Access Screening in place at the access gate.
VIRTUAL RULES MEETING
As per Rules:
16.1. All paddlers seeded in A Batch on Day 1, the top 10 seeded women’s boats and top 5 seeded junior (boys and girls), are invited to attend a VIRTUAL RULES MEETING on the day of Registration. Should a paddler choose not to attend it will be deemed that they, and their designated support crew, fully understand the rules and will comply, including all C19 regulations.
MEDIA CONFERENCE
In order to comply with C19 Regulations and mitigate crowds, the compulsory MEDIA CONFERENCE will not take place.
In place of the MEDIA CONFERENCE:
All paddlers seeded in the first two rows on Day 1, the top 10 seeded women’s boats and top 5 seeded junior and development boats, are required to make themselves available to the Dusi Media Team for pre-event interviews should the need arise. This will be done by appointment and in consultation with each paddler.
PHOTO / MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
These will be by appointment only.
Masks MUST be worn at all times.
The restriction on numbers within designated areas applies.
CAMPING AT CAMPS DRIFT / USE OF ABLUTION FACILITIES
Due to C19, NO paddlers or Support Crew will be permitted to camp at Camps Drift.
The ablution facilities within the venue are reserved for OFFICIALS and SAFETY COMPLIANCE only.
DAY 1 – START
Camps Drift Pietermaritzburg
SAFETY OFFICIALS
- SA Navy
- SAPS Search & Rescue
- SAPS Bikers
- Dusi Bikers
- Landrover Club
- ER24
Where possible, remote camping venues will be established to accommodate social distancing and reduce numbers at Camps Drift.
Where possible, teams are to rendezvous at venues away from the start venue.
All services to manage their respective members C19 Screening and keep accurate records as per any applicable regulations.
KEY ACCESS POINTS
- Culvert down river of Dusi Pavilion.
- Roadway upriver of the Dusi Pavilion.
Only accredited (wearing a designated armband) paddlers and Support Crew beyond these points.
Access only to the rear field for loading into the pounds. NO ACCESS to the parking or grassed area alongside the drift.
Support crew will not be permitted in the “event zone”. Only the paddlers will be permitted access to start loading at the batches where Covid-19 screening procedures will take place.
Masks are to be worn at all times.
NOTE: Paddlers will only be permitted to remove their masks on exiting the pounds. Designated medical waste bins will be provided for disposable masks. Please do NOT dropped on the ground.
Paddlers are required to carry masks with them should they need to withdraw from the event along the course.
ACCESS TO THE POUNDS
A full schedule of access times will be posted prior to the event.
Paddlers may only access the event area during their designated LOAD IN times.
EXAMPLE
Batch A – Access to paddlers from 05:00 to 05:45 (45 minutes)
Batch B – Access to paddlers from 05:30 to 06:00 (30 minutes)
Batch C – Access to paddlers from 05:45 to 06:15 (30 minutes)
Batch A – to load onto the water at 05:45
Batch B – to load onto the water at 06:00
Batch C – to load onto the water at 06:15
C19 SCREENING
Paddler C19 screening at entrance to boat pounds
Size of boat pounds to be large enough to accommodate 50 pax (NOT 50 boats) with sufficient social distancing.
Masks are to be worn at all times in the pounds and when not competing.
In order to ensure that the event remains compliant with C19 regulations, paddlers who disobey this regulation will be instructed to leave the event area immediately and may face immediate disqualification.
In order to ensure that the event remains compliant with C19 regulations, support crew who disobey this regulation will have their accreditation revoked and will be instructed to leave the event area immediately. Failure to comply may result in their paddler facing disqualification.
START PROCESS
As per normal
Paddlers are to be called to the water and may only remove their masks on exiting the pounds, prior to launching their boat.
No more than 50 pax (not boats) permitted per batch.
Batches will be released at 15-minute intervals.
NO spectators
NO Support Crew
NO dignitaries
No more than 50 pax on the top deck.
OFFICIALS / SAFETY STAFF only permitted onto the grassed area and in the parking area. Subject to no more than 50 pax at any time.
Masks are to be worn at all times by EVERYONE. (except the Announcer / DJ)
Announcer / DJ area to be cordoned off from other officials.
HIGH DENSITY AREAS
A number of points on the Route have been designated HIGH DENSITY areas and will be monitored to ensure that C19 regulations are adhered to.
In order to comply with C19 Regulations the following points are only accessible by accredited Support Crew. NO SPECTATORS.
NOTE: The fate of the event is the responsibility of every paddler and their support crew.
Should you choose to break these regulations you not only face disqualification, but the authorities may shut the event down.
DAY 1
- Ernie Pearce Weir
- YMCA Weir
- Woodhouse Road Low Level Bridge
- Bishopstowe
- Mission Rapid
- Finger Neck
DAY 2
- Dusi Bridge
- Gauging Weir
- Marianni-Foley causeway
- The bridge at the mouth of Inanda Dam
DAY 3
- The take-out from Inanda Dam
- The roadway between the dam and the put-in below the dam wall
- The Bridge below the dam wall
- Umzinyathi rapid
- Molweni causeway
PADDLER REFRESHMENT STATIONS
No access to the Refreshment stations except the crew managing the station and participating paddlers.
This applies to an area 50 metres on either side of a designated refreshment station.
BOAT POUNDS / REPAIRS
Boats not requiring repairs may be left in the boat pounds, as designated by the race officials.
Damaged boats MAY NOT be repaired in the boat pounds or in the car park (to ensure compliance with permissible numbers at the event).
Boats MAY be removed from the valley in order to effect repairs.
Once the paddler and support crew has left the event zone, they will not be permitted back into this area.
PLEASE NOTE THAT RULE 7.1 STILL APPLIES – “Competitors must complete the race in the same kayak/boat and with the same partner in the case of a crew boat” unless the substitution rule is invoked.
SHOWER FACILITIES
No showers facilities will be provided at any of the finish points.
CATERING
No food vendors will be at any of the finish points.
FINISH DAY 1 / DAY 2 / DAY 3
NO SPECTATORS
Only accredited support crew are permitted into the designated EVENT ZONE.
MASKS are compulsory at all times.
Should there be too many people in specific areas at any time, C19 Compliance Officers will instruct you to leave the areas until space becomes available. Please note that this will be done in order to ensure compliance.
PADDLERS are required to wear a mask on exiting the water and at ALL TIMES in the event zone.
Paddlers finishing in top positions will be issued with a MyLife Dusi facemask which is a requirement until such time as interviews are completed.
All other paddlers will be issued with disposable face masks if they do not have access to their personal masks.
NO boat carriers will be available. On exiting the water paddlers will be required to remove their boat to the boat pound or to the parking area. Only a single Accredited support crew per paddler will be permitted to assist their paddler from the exit of the boat pound.
START DAY 2
The process to access the boat pounds will be the same as DAY 1 with the exception of the elapsed time starts who will still require access via a C19 check point.
Elapsed time paddlers are permitted entry 60 minutes before your personal designated start time.
Batch access times will be published at the completion of each day.
START DAY 3
REVERSE ORDER start will still apply for 2021.
The process to access the boat pounds will be the same as DAY 1 with the exception of the elapsed time starts who will still require access via a C19 check point.
Elapsed time paddlers are permitted entry 60 minutes before your personal designated start time.
Batch access times will be published at the completion of each day.
FINISH AT BLUE LAGOON
NO SPECTATORS
The full event zone will be fenced off and only accredited support crew will be permitted access.
There will be a single-entry point with a C19 check point.
There will be a single exit point above the finish chute to allow paddlers to exit immediately on completing the event.
No catering will be provided.
No showers will be provided.
NO PRIZE GIVING
Due to C19 regulations there will be no “normal” prize giving.
A virtual prize giving, which will not require any attendance by paddlers, will be broadcast on the Saturday evening after the completion of the event.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Normal medical facilities will be provided at each Start and Finish venue.
ONLY the patient will be permitted access.
NO Support crew, family members or non-patients will be permitted access unless with specific permission of the Medical Officer.