NEWS TO SUPXROSS?
NEWS TO SUPXROSS?
PRE-EVENT PLANNING: Knowledge is power! Know where to be and when… this checklist will help you with being prepared for the event weekend.
Your best source of information will be to surf all the pages of this website - and by reading the Rule Book.
Please read below for more helpful tips for a great event weekend!
GET PLENTY OF REST THE NIGHT BEFORE
You will have a long busy day at your first event until you get used to the routine. Get plenty of rest and leave the “partying” to those you want to beat!
DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT…
All the right GEAR for race day! Safety first: PFD (required), Leash, and Helmet (recommended). Stand Up Paddleboard, Paddle, Repair Kits and Extra Gear for back-up. Make a checklist of all items and equipment you will need for the race and then use it! A few other suggested items to have are a cooler, EZ-Up tent or something for shade, and SUP stand (to elevate in case of rough terrain). Please Note: Event locations will each have unique ways to access the water such as beach, dock, etc. One more thing…bring a #SupSqaud of Friends & Family for SUPport!
SHOW UP EARLY
This will get you a better “pit area”, (as they call it in Pro Watercross) and will allow you to relax during your preparation. Plan on arriving on site early (7:00 a.m.) for each day you are racing and even earlier if you don’t already know where the site is. For those with boards racked on roof of vehicle, please be aware of overhead clearance upon entering the venue & throughout!
As soon as you arrive on site, establish your ‘pit area’, park your vehicle and immediately go over to the event registration area. If you are pre-registered, you will check-in, sign the waiver and release form, and get your wrist band. If you are not pre-registered, you will need a little more time to fill in the registration form as well.
GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE AROUND YOUR PIT AREA
Do not be afraid to ask for assistance from other racers. You will find that most racers on the tour are great people and are always willing to help out a first-time racer as they were in your place once themselves. Do not forget to offer your help too! Later, your good intentions will be rewarded many times over. A.K.A. “Good VIBES for all TRIBES”
ATTEND THE MANDATORY RIDER MEETING
It is mandatory that all participants attend the published rider's meeting each day that you will be racing. Not only is it mandatory by the Pro Watercross Tour, there will be valuable information given at each riders meeting.
Roll call for the riders meeting will begin at 8:15 AM each morning - Roll is taken to ensure that everyone's smiling faces will be seen bright and early each morning. A $50 fine will be charged to all riders that do not attend the rider's meeting. The rider's meeting typically begins at 8:30 am each morning.
After the race director presents the riders meeting information to all racers, he will meet with all the first-time riders to go over in more detail concerns and questions that new riders may have. Pay attention and do not be afraid to ask questions.
PRACTICE/COURSE ORIENTATION
Course orientation/practice should be used strictly for what it is, allowing yourself to learn the course. The course marshal will lead you around the course for the first lap and then let you run several laps on your own. Once again, practice is to learn the race course and NOT A RACE. There are no points or awards for riders who finish first in practice.
BEFORE YOU EVEN GET TO RACE PRACTICE, PRACTICE YOUR STARTS & PIVOT TURNS… A start to the race is probably the most intense point of the race, especially if you are a rookie! Closed course races will normally utilize a flag or rubber band method of starting. The Race director will give a description of these starting procedures at the riders meeting.
PIT BOARD
The pit board will tell you what races you are in and how you finished in your races. Make sure you check the pit board when it is announced in the morning that it is posted (typically posted during practice) and make sure you are in the correct classes.
After you race, it usually takes at least thirty minutes for the results to be computed, confirmed, entered, and posted. Check the pit board to see how you finished and if you qualified for the main event or need to go to the Last Chance Qualifier. If there were not heats for your class (heats are required if there are more than the maximum number of riders allowed on the line at one time in your class), you can assume you will be automatically in the final or the second moto if the moto scoring system is being used.
DO NOT assume that you made it to the main event without checking the pit board. You may have missed a buoy and did not even know it. Competitors have thirty (30) minutes after the official results have been posted to contest any result.
STARTING PROCEDURE:
The “Starter” displays a card to communicate what phase of the start sequence they are in. The “2″ card means all racers are STANDING in position on the Starting Line. The “1″ card means that all racers are READY and the sideways “1″ card means the start band will be released in 1-3 seconds. The race starts when the band snaps. A false start by one or more racers can result in a restart. The racer(s) that jumps the band is penalized by having to restart in the outside lane.
SCORING
DURING THE RACE
Paddle your PACE and race your RACE! Know what you can do. If you are new to racing, do not get caught up in the start of the race. Stay persistent, consistent, and allow others to make mistakes and then take advantage of their mistakes as your opportunities. While you may be running only a 7-13 minute race heat, it will feel like you are out there much longer – Trust Me!
BE A LEADER
Don’t follow others on the race course. They may be going the wrong way! If you know or think that you have missed a buoy, use a BLACK BUOY for making up missed buoys. The black buoy is outlined in the rule book but ask any question you may have at the riders meeting.
MEMBERSHIP
Participants can join at the races or may obtain a membership application through registering online through Pro Watercross Tour (be sure to print out receipt before attending your first race). Participants must be 16 years old to compete at Pro Watercross Tour events except for the Pro Juniors class where racers can be 12-15 years old. Racers under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a Pro Watercross Tour Minor Release form once per season.
RACE NUMBERS
All racers must display number on person or board. You will not be scored if your race number is not easily identifiable, in other words, if we cannot read your number you will not be scored.
Important Notice If there is a duplicate number problem in a class, you may be asked to place an “X” after your number.
SAFETY GEAR - PROPER PROTECTIVE GEAR IS A MUST!
PFD’s: (REQUIRED) To be WORN on your BODY during the race. *No Exceptions* Any USCG approved life vest is acceptable, including the inflatable style which most racers will prefer. (co2)
*We support and adhere to the paddling-safety standards of the American Canoe Association.
Helmets: (Recommended) With this being the most dynamic race setting you’ll find on flat-water, there comes with that claim the potential for riders to fall throughout the race. There will be no risk of hitting your head on any rocks or boulders like in whitewater SUP, however you could potentially hit your head on another racers board or take a paddle to the top of your head! The worst-case scenario we can foresee would be a literal head to head impact with another racer.
Leash: (Optional) Coil Leashes are encouraged whereas Straight Leashes are highly discouraged due to the drag they cause, and the potential to get caught by a paddle in tight quarters on the closed-course. When determining whether to wear a leash or not, keep in mind the increased risk for falling off of and remounting your board. (Let’s be good examples for our youth paddlers)
Footwear: (Optional), however you go barefoot at your own risk. We can comb the beach all we want, but Pro Watercross cannot guarantee the removal of ALL potential hazards such as sharp objects and sea shells. You can always enter the water with your shoes then toss them to a friend.
Wetsuits, Dry suits, Swimsuits, ect: We expect YOU (the racer) to be able-bodied and aware of the best apparel to wear per the environment and weather at each event. We will race through any weather except torrential winds, heavy hail, or thunderstorms (for risk of lightning strikes).
You are charged with being self-sufficient at regulating your body temperature, yet we encourage using a *buddy system to ensure your safety! *Could be another racer or part of your #SupSquad.
Pit Vehicles
Because of the tremendous number of people that will be attending Pro Watercross Tour events, pit vehicle rules will be strictly enforced. ATV's, Mules, golf carts, beach carts, etc. will be allowed to transport equipment to the beach. (Bring your “One-Wheels” if you got ‘em! #SupLife) There will be a 5-mile per hour speed limit set and it will be strictly enforced for all ATV’s, Mules, golf carts, Go-Peds, Scooters, etc. Fines will be accessed to those breaking this rule. All pit vehicles must remain in the pit area and follow the correct pathway to the race area. Please observe the speed limit signs and watch out for pedestrians and do not wreck this privilege for all racers. Those racers abusing the privilege will be fined and/or have their pit vehicle impounded.
Sponsor Decals
In consideration of sponsor commitment and support of this event, participants will be required to display a particular sponsor's decal, as well as Pro Watercross (SUPcross) decals, on each side of his or her board. Decals will be available to participants at registration. Competitors not displaying required decals on their boards will not be eligible for any contingency money.
Awards
Racers that do not pick up their award when their name is called will have to wait until the end of the awards ceremony to pick their awards up. Riders that do not pick up their awards can have them mailed to them for a handling fee plus the cost of shipping. Awards not claimed by December 1 will be forfeited.
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