Negotiation of Gates

1.

The Gate Line is an imaginary line drawn between the tips of two poles at any instant, whether they are hanging straight down or have been brought into motion by wind (Pond Slalom) or contact. An imaginary extension of a pole may be needed to define the Gate Line in some cases involving large motions. This extension shall be drawn vertically from the lower tip of the pole to the river bottom.

2.

The Body of a competitor means torso and head.

3.

The Start Line is considered to be the equivalent to the Gate Line in gate 1.

4.

A Live Gate is any gate that is still subject to penalties.

5.

A Dead Gate is one for which negotiation is completed (#8). No additional penalties can be charged on a Dead Gate.

6.

All gates must be negotiated in numerical order, each in accordance with the direction established by the Pool/Pond Slalom Gate and Course Information sheet. Any boat presentation (forward, reverse, or broadside) is correct.

7.

Negotiation of a gate begins when:
The boat or the paddler or paddle touches a pole of the gate: OR
Any part of the body (torso and head) crosses the Gate Line.

8.

Negotiation of a gate is completed when the negotiation of a subsequent gate begins or the finish line is crossed.

9.

Negotiation of a gate is correct when the body (at least the complete head) of the competitor (in tandem boats, both competitors) and part of the boat has at the same instant, crossed the Gate Line in the correct direction, and the boat has continued through, either onward or sideways, and left the Gate Line.

10.

The Finish Line is considered to be the equivalent to the Gate Line in gate 21.

Penalties

1.

All gates are scored for Decked Boats 0, 2, 50 and for Open Boats 0, 10, and 50. Penalties will be referred to as either for Decked Boats (DB) or Open Boats (OB) as follows.

2.

No Penalty - Faultless negotiation.

3.

2 Second Penalty (DB), 10 Second Penalty (OB) - Correct negotiation but touching one or both poles.

4.

50 Second Penalty - Gate touched but not negotiated. Lack of negotiation is judged to have occurred only after negotiation of any subsequent gate begins or the finish line is crossed.

5.

50 Second Penalty - Intentional pushing aside of a pole in an attempt to lessen a penalty.

6.

50 Second Penalty (DB) -Eskimo rolling while the body (in C2 type boats either body or between the bodies) is within the gate. A roll is judged to have occurred if the entire torso (trunk of the body, not including arms and head) of the competitor (in C2 type boats either competitor) is under the surface of the water.

7.

50 Second Penalty -Negotiation of the gate in the direction opposite to that indicated by the course design. During any negotiation any part of the body (trunk and head) must at no time cross the Gate Line in the wrong direction.

8.

50 Second Penalty -Gate left out. Gate(s) left out is determined to have occurred when negotiation of any subsequent gate begins OR the finish line is crossed.

Penalties Interpretations

1.

The maximum for any gate is a 50 second penalty.

2.

Once negotiation of a gate is completed, that gate is immediately dead and no further penalties can be incurred.

3.

Passing of the boat underneath a pole without touching is not penalized.

4.

In all doubtful or borderline cases, the competitor is given the benefit of the doubt and the lower penalty is assessed.

5.

Repeated touching of the same pole is only penalized once.