2009 5th ANNUAL TKAA KAYAK FISH FOR CHARITY OFFICIAL RULES
1. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY:Participation is open to anyone 18 Years of age or older. Minors are eligible to register and participate with a parent or guardian who also participates in the event. Minors must have the signature of his or her parent or legal guardian on the entry form as applicable to any state, commonwealth, county, or federal regulations or law. The obligation to know these rules falls upon the parent. A completed entry form and $60 entry fee ($75 after Sept. 12, 2009) must be received no later than the September 24th, 2009. Payment can also be made at the captain's meeting. First 100 paid entries receive captains bags. All participants will be required to sign the waiver form at check-in during the captains meeting. Entry fees may be transferred to another participant or refunded provided notification is received by the TKAA Tournament prior to the captains' meeting. Entry fees will not be transferred or refunded after the captain's meeting.
2.PRIZES:
Trophies and prizes will be awarded for the largest fish in each division. See section 11 for scoring criteria. Winners will be based on the total scores for the longest fish on their camera. Divisions are as follows: Slam Division-sponsored by Hobie Kayaks Winners will be decided by the cumulative points of the longest fish of 3 fish of the target species. (redfish, flounder, speckled trout)
Individual Species Divisions-
Largest fish in each of the four divisions.
Speckled Trout-sponsored by Appomattox River Outfitters
Redfish-sponsored by Wild River Outfitters
Flounder-sponsored by Nu Canoe and Tar River Paddle Sports
Striper-sponsor-TBD
Largemouth bass-Sponsored by Kayak Bass Fishing.com & Wilderness Systems
Fly Division-sponsor-TBD
Female Division-sponsored by Malibu Kayaks
Youth Division-sponsor-TBD
Division winners will not be able to double dip, (e.g. if the biggest trout is part of a winning slam, it cannot win in the other divisions).
Prizes for Fly, Female, Youth, and Largemouth Bass divisions may be subject to change based on total entries. (don’t worry, they’ll still be great prizes)
Other divisions and prizes may be announced at the captains meeting or on the TKAA website.
In the registration raffle, prizes will be awarded by the pulling of numbers and the total number of prizes in the raffle will be determined by the number of donated items.
3. SAFETY:Safe boating will be observed at all times. DURING COMPETITION, EACH CONTESTANT IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW U.S. COAST GUARD REGULATIONS INCLUDING POSSESSION OF COAST GUARD APPROVED TYPE III PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD), PFD MUST BE DONNED WHILE PADDLING. A WHITE LIGHT AND A WHISTLE IS MANDANTORY AND MUST BE ON BOARD.
4. MANDITORY CAPTAINS MEETING: MANDITORY CAPTAINS MEETING: All participants must attend the September 25th, 2009 Captains Meeting; special considerations may be made in certain circumstances. The meeting will be held at 7:00pm at The Lake Wright Conference Center, 6280 Northhampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA.
5. STARTING TIME:Launching can begin at safe light. That time will be determined at the captains meeting. All entrants wishing to enter fish must return their pictures/camera in to tournament headquarters (Lake Wright Conference Center) between 2:00 and 4:00pm on tournament day. You must be in line by 4pm, no exceptions.
6. COMMUNICATIONS: the use of mobile communication is allowed.
7. SPORTSMANSHIP: all contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation. Intoxication will be cause for immediate disqualification. No alcoholic beverages or the use of illegal drugs is allowed. This rule extends through and includes signing of the check-in form at tournament headquarters. The illegal use of drugs, participation in any criminal activities, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with tournament rules and the law are grounds for disqualification and/or rejection of any applicant from participation. This will also entail the return of any prizes awarded. The TKAA Tournament Committee and Director will seek legal remedy if necessary.
8. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS: All fish must be caught live via hook and line. The selection of baits is up to the discretion of the participant. To permit safe catch and release, circle hooks are mandatory with all natural or live bait.
To permit safe catch and release, circle hooks should be used with all natural or live bait.
During the hours of competition, contestants may not obtain or receive assistance, including but not limited to following a non-competitor's boat, the placing of markers by any non-competitor, towed by or riding on motorized vessels or electronic, voice or data communication from a non competitor. All participants must have with them a non-motorized vessel like a kayak or canoe. Other non-motorized vessels will be permitted at the discretion of the TKAA Tournament Committee and Director. No electric or combustion engines permitted on the boat during the event. Contestants may leave the boat to stand or to wade while fishing but must within sight of their kayak. Bank or wade fishing while your kayak is on a roof rack or trailer, is prohibited. Kayaks, canoes or committee-approved non-motorized (human powered) craft are the only mode of on-the-water transport allowed.
TANDEMS/SHARING. It is permissible for more than 1 entrant to share the same watercraft. However each paddler must pay and compete as a single angler. They must also have their own camera (unless sharing under digital photography rule), their own picture of the vessel at put in on their camera roll, and is scored separately. Fish may NEVER be shared among entrants.
9. PROHIBITED:There is absolutely NO FERRYING (i.e. using another vehicle or boat, motorized or not to transport your kayak to a fishing location while on the water.)
10. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS:Anywhere within a 50-mile radius of the Norfolk, VA, area as shown on the map below. Specific parameters will be discussed at the captains meeting. All participants must use “pubic accessible” launch areas. Using private property will result in disqualification.
11. SCORING: The tournament is a catch, photo, and release format. Species, fly, female, and youth division winners will be determined by the length of the longest fish. For the slam division, it is the combined length of the 3 longest fish for target species. At the captains meeting each contestant will be issued an identifier, score sheet, and measuring device for uniformity. Participants must use their own digital cameras, and a card reader will be used to download pictures. For pictures with fish, the identifier must be clearly visible in every picture. If there is no identifier, then the picture is disqualified. Score sheets must also be filled out completely and correctly, failure to do so will result in disqualification. All photos become property of the TKAA. The first photo in memory must be of the angler on the morning of launch with the measuring device. The second photo will be the rigged boat at launch. Fish must be photographed in or on boat, (vessels should be distinguishable in photo) next to provided tape measure with the identifier. The photo must show clearly the length of the fish. Length is determined from the tip of the lower jaw to the natural (un-pinched) tip of the tail. Only Red Drum, Spotted Trout, Flounder, Striped Bass, and Largemouth Bass can be entered for species prizes. Length should be measured to the nearest quarter inch. All species are worth 1-point per inch. Lengths and species identification will be verified and scored by a scoring committee. The scoring committee makes the call and the tournament director is the final authority. In the event of a tie, the angler who returned their photos first, will be the winner.
12. DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY.Participants may only use digital cameras for recording scoring fish. Entrants must bring the storage chip from their camera to check-in or bring the download cable for their camera so that pictures may be retrieved. Cameras may be shared – in the event of camera sharing both entrants’ kayaks at launch must be initially on the roll, and each entrant will use a different unique scoring token as directed at the captains meeting, both in the launch picture and the fish scoring pictures. In the scoring fish pictures, the appropriate entrant’s kayak must also be in the picture. The following media formats can be handled without a cable at check-in:
a. CompactFlash Type I
b. CompactFlash Type II
c. SD Card
d. miniSD
e. MultiMediaCard
f. RS-MMC
g. Memory Stick
h. Memory Stick PRO
i. Memory Stick Duo
j. Memory Stick PRO Duo
k. SmartMedia
l. xD
13. RELEASE OF LIABILITY:A waiver and release of liability statement is part of the entry form. It is required of each contestant that they take responsibility for themselves while participating in any tournament activities.
14. RULE CHANGES:Rule interpretation will be left exclusively to the TKAA Tournament Committee and Director; all decisions are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal.
15. PROTEST:any and all protest must be submitted in writing, 30-minutes before the start time of the captains meeting, or 30-minutes before the official check-in period. All protests will be reviewed by members of the TKAA Tournament Committee and director. All Committee decisions will be final and are not subject to appeal.
STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING FOR PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES, TRIPS, MEETINGS, INSTRUCTION, PADDLING, FISHING, WADING in the TIDEWATER KAYAK ANGLERS ASSOCIATION Fishing Tournaments In consideration of my entry being accepted for participation in the TKAA sanctioned events, I do hereby state that I understand that the purpose of signing this document is to exempt and release the Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association (TKAA), its agents, its endorsers and sponsors, administrators, successors, and assigns, including their officers, directors, members, operators, representatives, agents, insurers, successors, and volunteers, from each and every action and claim for damages, in law in admiralty, or in equity, arising from my association, entry or participation in the TKAA event. And hold these entities harmless from any and all liabilities arising as a consequence of the following, or any other acts or omissions on their part, including but not limited to negligence. I understand that there are inherent risks involved with Paddlesports, fishing, wading in the water and swimming including but not limited to perils of the sea & or waterways, act of the other participants & adverse sea & weather conditions & I hereby assume such risks. I certify that my physical condition and training are adequate to enable me to compete safely in the TKAA events, and I acknowledge that I am familiar with paddling and the risk associated and I will not hold TKAA or their employees, agents, endorsers or other associated personnel or companies responsible if I am injured as a result of ANY problems (medical, accidental, or otherwise) which occur while paddling, fishing, or other wise participating in the contest. I am also aware of the risks associated with the weather conditions that prevail on water at any time of the year: varying water temperatures, strong currents, choppy waters and marine animals. I also understand that pleasure and fishing craft share the waters and may be a danger. I specifically acknowledge that I am aware of the risks in Boating & Fishing and agree to assume those risks. If I should suffer illness or injury during the event I realize that medical care must be summoned & treatment will be delayed until I can return to shore & or be transported to a proper care facility. I agree in advance to these conditions. I will be present for the Captains meeting and be attentive to any information concerning conditions, which may cause me danger. If there is anything I have been told that I do not understand, I will immediately inform an official representative of the event. I authorize the officials of the event to use their discretion to have me transported to a medical facility and this Waiver and Release of Rights applies fully to such actions. I hereby grant full permission to any and all of the sponsors of this event or their representatives to use any photographs, motion pictures, video tapes, recordings or any other records of this event for any purpose whatever including commercial use. I UNDERSTAND I HAVE A DUTY TO EXERCISE REASONABLE CARE FOR MY OWN SAFETY & I AGREE TO DO SO. I will immediately stop my trip if paddling conditions are worse than those for which I have been trained or for which I have experienced. Neither, TKAA nor its endorsers, employees, sponsors, nor agents have made any representations to me, implied or otherwise, that they can or will perform safe rescue or first aid. In the event I become distressed or call for first aid, I would like assistance and will not hold TKAA their employees, volunteers or other competitors responsible for their actions in attempting the performance of rescue or first aid. I understand I have a duty to inspect the equipment I will be using; I will not hold anyone other than myself responsible for my failure to inspect my equipment prior to paddling. I understand that I am entering this event at my own risk and assume all risk of the hazards and dangers associated with this event. I understand that the event may be cancelled or altered due to weather conditions. I agree to forever discharge and release TKAA, its member(s), endorser(s), agent(s), owner(s), agent(s), volunteer(s), and sponsor(s) from any and all responsibility or liability for any and all injuries or damages. I agree NOT to make a claim against or sue any of the above parties for injuries or damages, whether they arise or result from any NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER LIABILITY. I further specifically agree, on behalf of myself, my heirs, & assigns to & indemnify & hold harmless the released parties for any & all causes of action arising as a consequence of any incidents which might occur as a consequence of my participation in any activities with or involving the released parties.
I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, AS WELL AS THE RULES OF THE CONTEST UNDERSTAND IT & AGREE TO BE BOUND BY IT FROM THE DATE OF MY SIGNATURE & FOREVER INTO THE FUTURE.