1. Three to six teams race in every heat. Winners are determined from the combined times of the first two heats. The top 15 teams in the Paddle for Fun Category will compete in the third and final heat. Prizes awarded to the top three times in the third heat. Your time from the first two heats is not averaged into your final score. For the Paddle for Gold category the best combined time from the first two heats will lead to a third heat with the top 10 teams. Prizes go to the top three.

2. Each Team should race with a minimum of 16 paddlers per boat.

3. Each Team must race with a drummer. Every team in every category must use the boat paddles and life vests provided by the festival. No exceptions.

4. Final team rosters shall be submitted to The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival by September 15, 2008. The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival may accept late registrations or late changes to team rosters at its discretion.

5. Teams withdrawing from the event after registering should submit notice in writing prior to September 15, 2008. All registration fees and deposits are non-refundable notwithstanding termination of team registration, team cancellation or disqualification, race cancellation, race re-scheduling, or any other reason. The money still goes to a worthy charity.

Waivers

1. All team members must sign waivers stating that they have read and understand the conditions of the waiver and are aware of and accept all risks associated with the event, and wave all rights to take legal action against any of the sponsors, their volunteers and employees, The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival, its volunteers and employees, The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival organizing committee, its volunteers and employees, and any other person, partnership, corporation or association in any way associated with The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival, for injury or death, or for loss or damage to property, howsoever caused. For participants less than 18 years of age, parents or guardians must also read, understand and sign the waiver.

2. Team Captains must submit to The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival properly signed and dated waivers for all team members by September 15, 2008. The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival may accept late submission of waivers at its discretion, however, waivers must be read, understood and signed well in advance of any on-water activity.

Dragon Boats and Equipment

1. The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival shall provide Dragon Boats, paddles, drums, and life jackets. No substitutions permitted.

2. All equipment shall be returned in good condition immediately following practices and races. In the event that The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival determines negligence, replacement or repair costs may be charged to the team responsible.

3. Only the drum and drumsticks provided by Dragon Boat Festival Upstate shall be used to signal the stroke rate in addition to non-electrically assisted voice commands.

Teams

1. A person may be a registered team member on more than one team. As a practical matter, paddling for more than two teams will not work!

2. All team members must be registered.

3. A registered team member must be 7 years old prior to the first practice session. For safety reasons, younger children will not be allowed on the Dragon Boats when used in competition

4. Teams are allowed a maximum of 25 registered members, comprising of:

• 1 Drummer
• 20 Paddlers
• 4 Spares

Of any of the above, one person must be registered as the Team Captain.

5. The Steers-person will be provided by the Festival.

6. At its discretion, The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival may at any time require a check of crew members against their team rosters.

7. Team Captains shall ensure that only registered team members participate in on-water activities. Any team permitting a non-registered person to participate in any on-water activity shall be subject to disqualification and be prohibited from further on-water participation, subject to the discretion of The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival.

8. At its discretion, The Dragon Boat Festival Upstate may disqualify and prohibit from further participation any team member or team if such a team member or team displays poor conduct, rowdy behavior, or unsportsman like conduct.

9. The Team Captain shall be responsible for:

• Team Conduct
• Communication and Distribution of Information to the   Team
• Communication with The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival
• Collection and filing of all requisite information and forms
• Liaison with race officials
• Attendance at the Team Captain's meeting.