2011–2012

Race Start Times
All events start around 6.20pm except the 300m Swim which starts at 5.55pm

Courses

• Course maps are displayed on the reserve each event night or to view online at beachseries.co.nz under the individual event pages

Your Health and Safety

• If you have any concerns about completing your event in a satisfactory and healthy condition, we urge you to withdraw prior to the race start by seeing an event official under the timing tent on the reserve
• If you get into any trouble in the water, please raise a hand directly above your head, if you are able to, to attract the attention of lifeguards
• A St John staff member is situated at the top of the finish ramp for medical needs before, during and after the event. Please note that you are competing in the State Beach Series at your own risk and our safety systems and procedures are no guarantee of your safety
• If you see a fellow participant in trouble while competing, please assist immediately, call for emergency services if needed and alert a State Beach Series official
• Make sure you drink plenty of fluids before and after your event

General Race Rules

• All turning marks on the courses must be rounded and failing to do this will result in disqualification
• Competitors must start the race on the beach/reserve within the start area of their designated event
• There is to be no deliberate contact with other competitors
• Any competitor who appears to be incapable of completing the race within the designated race time cut-offs (see below under each discipline) may be withdrawn by the race director or a lifeguard at any time

Start Marshalls and Start Positions

• Events starting at 6.20pm will have a start marshal. They will determine whether the field is set and ready.
• When the orange flags of all three events are raised (and still), you are then in the starter’s hands; please await the starter hooter. To avoid a false start or being disqualified, leave the beach only when you hear the hooter sound and when you see your second orange flag raised.

Finish Line

• The finish line is the blue mat directly underneath the inflatable finish gantry.

Timing Chips and Registration

• These should be securely attached to either of your ankles
• If you have purchased a single or four-race pass, you will need to attend the weekly registration at the Takapuna Boating Club to collect your timing chip. This chip must be returned immediately after you have finished your race and is to be placed in one of the timing chip bins at the end of the finish chute.
• If you have purchased an 8, 12, or 16-week pass, you can keep your timing chip for the duration of the series (or while your pass is still valid). This means taking it home and bringing it back weekly. Be sure to keep it in a safe place. You will be charged $30.00 for any lost chip. The bonus of an 8, 12 or 16-week pass is that you don’t have to turn up to the weekly registration when competing in your default event (see below).\
• Check your chip is yours! Please regularly visit the timing tent to check that the timing chip you have is actually your chip (people mix them up). The officials will scan it and let you know.

Default Event – Very Important

• If you are changing from your ‘default event’ (the event/discipline you selected when you purchased your pass for the first time this season) on any given event night, then you will need to attend the registration and let the officials know (otherwise your results will be incorrect and your time will be disallowed).

Paddle Information (Ski, Novice, Stand-up and Board)

• All paddlers must wear a current Series 2011-12 high-visibility orange vest when taking part. Your first one is free with your entry. If you lose it you must purchase a new one for $15 from officials in the boat club. No official vest - No race.
• 5km ski paddlers will start on a first hooter at 6.20pm. All 3km paddlers will start on a second hooter shortly after
• All paddlers must start in knee-depth water with both feet on the sand
• Novice and stand-up paddlers must each wear a safety leash attached to themselves and their craft. These are available for purchase from SUPNZ on the reserve.
• We ask all paddlers to be courteous to other beach users and the remaining runners taking part by removing your boats and boards from the beach as soon as possible after you finish
• The race time cut-off for all paddle events is 40 minutes. After this time, you may be asked to board an inflatable rescue craft to be brought ashore. This instruction must be obeyed

Swimmer Information

• All swimmers must wear the official State Beach Series swim cap while taking part. Your first one is free with your entry. If lose it at any point you must purchase a replacement at a small cost of $5.00 from the officials in the Takapuna Boating Club. No official cap – No Race.
• To ensure you have a comfortable and safe swim, please self-seed yourself on the start line (novice or nervous swimmers should position themselves at the rear of the start field) and swim wide around buoys if you want to avoid the chance of unintentionally being hit by another swimmer
• To take part in the 300m or 1.0–1.5km swim events, you must be able to competently swim for 200m
• Although not compulsory, we advise the use of wetsuits for safety and warmth in the 1.0–1.5km swim event
• Please note the 300m Swim will start at 5.55pm (swimmers must register prior to 5.40pm).
• The race time cut off for the 1000m swim is 37minutes, 1500m is 55minutes and 300m is 12minutes

Runner Information

• All runners must wear a current Series 2011-12 high-visibility orange vest when taking part. This may be placed over other garments. Your first one is free with your entry. If you lose it you must purchase a new one for $15 from officials in the boat club. No official vest - No run.
• 5km runners will start on a first hooter at 6.20pm. All 2.5km runners will start on a second hooter shortly after
• All runners need to self-seed according to their ability. Slower runners should position themselves at the rear of the start field.
• Please be aware of other beach users at all times
• Watch your footing on the beach for uneven surfaces and rocks
• All runners must stick strictly to the footpath on the high tide run course and watch for cars leaving and entering driveways during the event
• The race time cut-off for the 5.0km and 2.5km run is 40 minutes

Weekly Prize-givings

• Attend the prize-giving in the Takapuna Boating Club after your race at approximately 7.15pm and you will have the chance to win a selection of sponsor spot prizes or one of three major spot prizes. Remember to collect your spot prize ticket when you come into the Takapuna Boating Club after the event (one per paid entrant) – you need to be present to win!
• An acknowledgement of the overall place-getters in each of the eight disciplines will be announced each event night.
• Check out www.beachseries.co.nz for full details on the Series Points Competition and the End-of-series Prize-giving taking place on 27th of March 2012