The Red River Paddle Challenge (RRPC) rules outline the specific requirements, procedures, and safety considerations unique to the RRPC course and race format. These rules apply to all RRPC participants and also to every paddler participating in Les Voyageurs Challenge, as day two of Les Voyageurs Challenge takes place on the RRPC route. All participants must review this section in addition to the General Rules to ensure full compliance.
If you are participating in Les Voyageurs Challenge, please review the Les Voyageurs Challenge Specific Rules as there are some differences in logistics, cutoff times, etc.
Race Day Check-In
All racers are responsible to check-in on Sunday, September 20, at the boat launch in St Vital Park. Check-in begins at 6:15 a.m. and closes at 8:00 a.m. All boats must be staged (see below) by 8:15 a.m. so please allow plenty of time.
Just like previous years, we will be using a drive-thru check-in to speed things up. If there’s a lineup of cars when you arrive, please be courteous and allow vehicles that are towing motorboats access to the boat launch.
As you enter the St Vital Park boat launch area, watch for our volunteers by the registration tent (see map). A volunteer will approach your vehicle and ask for the names of each participant in your vehicle. Put your vehicle in park and wait for the volunteer to return with your racer package. Each racer will receive a swag bag containing their racer bib, safety card, RRPC t-shirt, as well as some other goodies from our event sponsors.
Boat Staging
Once all the participants in your vehicle have received their racer packages, you may proceed to the temporary parking and unloading area. Here you will unload your boat and all of your paddling gear that you will be bringing with you for the day. Carry your boat and your gear to the Boat Staging Area (see map above).
Look for a sign indicating your boat type: Canoe, Kayak, or SUP. Line up by the sign with your boat type. A volunteer will direct you to the appropriate staging spot for your boat.
Please note that rowing boats will be staged on the grass closest to the boat launch (see diagram above) as they will be starting one hour after the main group.
Once you have your boat and gear setup, a race official will check to confirm that you are in possession of the mandatory equipment (see list below). Please have these items organized and ready to show race officials. If you do not display these items, you will not be permitted to participate in the race.
Once your boat and gear have been approved, a specialized strip of tape will be placed on your boat to indicate that your boat has been inspected. You may now leave the boat staging area. This is a good time to move your vehicle from the temporary parking area. If you‘re planning to leave a vehicle parked at St Vital Park for the day, parking is available throughout the park along the sides of roads (watch for no parking zones) and also in the parking lots.
Note: For those dropping off a vehicle at the finish line area the morning of the race (Half Moon Drive In parking lot entrance), we highly recommend registering and staging your boat at St Vital Park prior to dropping off your vehicle in Lockport (registration opens at 6:15 a.m.). This helps to ensure that everyone can get through registration in a timely manner without delaying or missing the start of the race. Be sure to plan your timing accordingly as the approximate travel time back to the starting area in Winnipeg is 35-45 minutes.
Please see the finish line area map below and make note of the designated parking area for RRPC participants and spectators.
Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting
All participants are required to attend a pre-race meeting on Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. at the St Vital Park boat launch. Immediately following the pre-race meeting paddlers can launch their boats and wait on the water for the race to begin.
Start
There will be two starting heats:
- All paddlers will begin at the sound of the air horn at 9:00 a.m. SHARP.
Paddlers who do not get under way by 9:30 a.m. are disqualified. - Rowing boats will begin at the sound of the air horn at 10:00 a.m. SHARP.
Finish
Racers must stay river right within 50m of the shore as they approach the last 200m towards the finish line. Failure to do so could result in serious consequences. Floating buoys will be placed on the water to mark the final 200m stretch to the finish. All paddlers must paddle on the right-side of the buoys. Failure to do so will result in a time penalty for cutting the course short.
A safety boat will also be positioned on the water directing paddlers towards the right shore. This will be covered in the mandatory safety briefing prior to the race. Please refer to the official course maps to view the official course route.
Racers will cross an imaginary line on the river at the Half Moon Drive In boat ramp. Volunteers will clearly mark the finish line on the river bank. Racers will immediately exit the river via the small channel on the east side of the river directly after the finish line.
All finishers will receive a RRPC finisher medal upon completion of the race. Top three finishers in each class/category with more than five participants/teams will receive prizes or recognition at the awards ceremony. All participants are eligible to win prizes from our event sponsors.
Checkpoints
There are three checkpoints during the race (refer to race map for locations):
Racers are required to check in at each checkpoint. As each racer approaches the checkpoint, they must shout out their bib number. Once the volunteer confirms the bib number and shouts it back to the racer, the racer(s) may continue on the route. It is the responsibility of the racer, not the volunteer, to ensure check in. Failure to check in at any checkpoint will result in penalty or disqualification.
Racers are welcome to stop at any checkpoint. Bottled water and snacks will be available for racers. Support teams can meet their teams as well, but they cannot assist racers in entering or exiting a checkpoint, i.e., they cannot pull the boat ashore or push it back into the water.
Cutoff Times
Racers must reach each checkpoint in a reasonable amount of time. Any paddler who arrives after the cutoff time will not be allowed to proceed to the next checkpoint. Cutoff times are determined by the race clock and will be adjusted accordingly if the race start is delayed. Assuming a 9:00 a.m. race start, checkpoint cutoff times are as follows:
- Checkpoint 1 Manitoba Canoe & Kayak Centre – 11:00 a.m. (2 hours from start time)
- Checkpoint 2 Royal Manitoba Yacht Club – 2:00 p.m. (5 hours from start time)
If you are concerned about not making a cutoff time at any checkpoint, please have your own transportation organized in advance. The RRPC will not provide shuttles from any checkpoints.
Overall course cutoff – Each racer has until 5:00 p.m. (8 hours from the official race start time) to complete the 44km course. A sweep boat will notify you if the allotted time has passed and you will be given the option to either jump in and get a ride to the next checkpoint/finish line, or they will request your bib and you may complete your paddle unofficially and unsupported (no medal, no official time).
Our boat safety support team has full authority to revoke the option to continue paddling past the cutoff times for both checkpoints and the overall course, and insist that a racer accept a ride to the next exit point if they deem the racer unfit to continue. This may be due to extreme fatigue, poor nutrition, injury, etc. If the racer does not appear coherent, appears confused, losing coordination/motor skills etc., our team has the authority to insist the racer stop paddling. Please accept this with grace. These cutoff times are for your safety.
Parking
Parking at the race start is limited. If you are planning to leave a vehicle parked at St Vital Park for the day, parking is available throughout the park along the sides of roads (watch for no parking zones) and in the parking lots. There is also a designated parking lot for RRPC participants and spectators at the finish line at the Half Moon Drive In. Please see the finish line area map above and make note of the designated parking area.