Rules for participating in the Oetz Kayak Cross

Security

First and foremost, all athletes must be experienced kayakers who feel comfortable on the Ötztaler Ache slalom course (WW III – IV). Athletes must attend the briefing before the race. During the competition, embarking on the upper section of the slalom course or continuing below the Wellerbrücken section is prohibited!

material

All paddlers must wear a whitewater helmet (EN 1385) and a whitewater life jacket with safety harness (ISO 12402-5), which will be checked by the race director.
Given the low water temperatures and cool weather in autumn, the
Athletes must wear adequate cold-weather protection clothing throughout the entire competition: either long neoprene trousers or long johns, or dry trousers with a dry jacket, or a dry suit are permitted.

kayak

• Standard whitewater kayaks made of PE
• Maximum length of 275 cm (9 feet)
• Rear buoyancy body
• Minimum weight of 18 kg (including buoyancy aids)
• sufficiently large cockpit from which one can easily get out
• The kayak must be equipped with a full plate footrest or similar (Yakima-
  Touring footrests are not permitted. Footrests made of rigid foam are permitted.
• at least two attachment points at the front (in front of the paddler) and at least two
  Rear attachment points (behind the paddler) or alternatively one front attachment point and three rear attachment points that are strong enough to recover a jammed kayak (at least 500 kg)
• without any design changes that could compromise safety standards.
• Handles, solid footrests and pillars must not be removed!
• without structural damage, especially without cracks in the boat hull
• For safety reasons, homemade interiors made of composite materials (such as carbon, fiberglass, or Kevlar) are not permitted. Interiors approved, installed, or available for sale by the kayak manufacturer are permitted.

The race director and his assistants will inspect the equipment before the competition and mark it with a safety control sticker.

Disqualification criteria

In addition to the rules set out in the general conditions of participation , the race management may permanently exclude participants from the competition at any time, in particular:

• Participants who do not attend the safety meeting.
• Participants who are obviously unable to paddle the race course safely.
• Participants with non-compliant equipment (kayak, PFD, helmet, clothing).
• Participants who ride on a closed section of the route.
• Participants who do not visibly attach the safety check sticker completed by the race director to the equipment used.

Participants who are excluded by the race management will not be refunded the registration fee.