MR 20 Canoe and Kayak Race/Relay and Tour Rules

1. Authority and Applicability

In formulating these rules, every effort has been made to anticipate situations that may arise. Two Paddles, LLC (“Two Paddles”) reserves the right to change or amend these rules at any time, without liability or recourse. When changes occur, reasonable efforts will be made to notify participants.

All decisions of event organizers are final.

All participants are required to:

Failure to follow any rule may result in a time penalty, reassignment to a non-competitive division, or disqualification.

2. Waivers, Compliance, and Media

  • All participants (or guardians, if applicable) must sign the Release of Liability as part of the registration process.

  • Participants must comply with all state, federal, and local health guidelines in effect at the time of the event.

  • All participants agree to appear in event-related photography, videography, and media coverage.

3. Age Requirements

Participants must meet one of the following:

  • 18 years old by the start date of the event

  • 16–17 years old, if paddling in the same boat with someone 21 or older (guardian waiver required)

  • Minimum age with parent/guardian in same boat (guardian waiver required): 9 years old

4. Boat Requirements and Identification

  • All boats must be registered in Minnesota, unless legally exempt under Minnesota law.

  • The original craft must be paddled from start to finish (except for relay divisions)

    • Boat changes are allowed only if the boat is damaged..

    • In such cases, teams may finish but are not eligible for divisional or overall awards.

  • Each boat must display its official four-digit boat number:

    • Numbers must be 3–4 inches tall

    • One set of numbers placed on each side of the bow

    • Participants supply their own numbers

5. Environmental and Conduct Rules

  • All participants must follow Minnesota invasive species laws:

    • Clean all visible plants, mud, and debris from boats, trailers, and equipment

    • Drain all water-related equipment before transport

  • Littering is illegal:

    • Trash must remain in the boat or be properly disposed of on shore

  • Campfires must be completely extinguished

  • Alcohol and mind-altering drugs are prohibited before and during the event

6. Safety Requirements

6.1 General Safety

Participation involves inherent risks. All participants:

  • Enter at their own risk

  • Are responsible for their own judgment, pacing, and rest

  • Agree not to hold organizers, officials, or sponsors liable for injury or property damage

6.2 Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

  • A USCG-approved wearable PFD must be worn at all times on the water

  • PFDs must be in serviceable condition

  • Failure to wear a PFD may result in disqualification

Inflatable PFDs

  • Not allowed for non-swimmers or those under 16

  • Must be worn as designed (front/waist)

  • Must be inspected by the user and properly armed

ISO PFD Option

  • Participants over 13 may wear an ISO 12402-5 inherently buoyant PFD only if:

    • It is worn correctly

    • A USCG-approved PFD is also carried in the boat

  • A pealess whistle must be attached to each PFD

7. Check-In, Meetings, and Weather

  • All participants must:

    • Check in with their boat and required gear

    • Attend the entire pre-event meeting

Pre-event meeting locations

  • Babcock Park, Elk River (east side)

Weather

  • Participants must go ashore during dangerous conditions

  • If lightning is seen or thunder heard:

    • Get off the water immediately

    • Resume only after 30 minutes without lightning or thunder

8. Emergencies and Assistance

  • Emergencies: Call 911

  • Non-emergency assistance: Call event officials (number provided at meeting)

  • Participants who withdraw early must notify event officials

  • Assistance may take hours—participants must be prepared to self-rescue

  • If asked, participants are obligated to assist others in emergencies, provided it does not endanger themselves or their boat

9. Event Timing, Course, and Cutoffs

9.1 Start

  • Participants may start on land or on water

  • Water-start participants must hold position above the line

  • Failure to do so results in reassignment to the Recreational Tour

9.2 Finish and Cut-Offs

  • The event ends at 5:00 PM Sunday, or when the last boat finishes

  • Finish time is recorded when the bow crosses the finish line

  • Boats still on the river after 5:00 PM continue independently of the event

  • All boats must reach Mississippi West Regional Park by 3:30 PM

Courses, start times, and cutoffs may be changed due to conditions.

10. Communication and Tracking

  • Each boat must carry a cell phone, in a waterproof bag or case.

  • Phones must be reachable by event officials

  • Use of the Webscorer app is encouraged for tracking

11. Propulsion and Assistance Rules

  • Boats must be propelled only by paddle and/or pedal power

  • No sails or kites

  • Electric bailers, outriggers, covers, and decking are allowed

  • Boats may exit the river for breaks or repairs but must re-enter at the same point

  • Skipping any part of the course results in disqualification

Support crews

  • Allowed but not required

  • May resupply from shore only

  • One crew may support multiple teams

Outside assistance

  • No towing, wake riding, wind blocking, or rafting with non-event boats

  • Wake riding and wind blocking between event boats is allowed

  • Towing is permitted only to help a participant exit due to medical/safety issues

12. Team Changes

  • A participant may quit; remaining team members may continue

  • Rejoining later or switching teams disqualifies the team from awards

13. Divisions

Event organizers may combine or split divisions as needed.

  • Solo Men

  • Solo Women

  • Tandem Men

  • Tandem Women

  • Tandem Mixed

  • Team 3+

  • SUP Men

  • SUP Women

  • Recreational Tour (non-competitive)

14. Gender Policy

Participants may register in any division consistent with their identity. No documentation is required.

Two Paddles is committed to inclusion, fairness, and respect.
Discriminatory or hateful behavior will not be tolerated.

15. Gear Requirements

Required Gear

  • Minnesota DNR Mississippi River maps:

    • Map 9

  • Worn PFD with whistle

  • Mobile phone (waterproofed)

  • Spare warm clothes (dry bag)

  • Rain gear

  • Food and water (see Paddler’s Guide)

Recommended Gear

  • Extra batteries / phone charger

  • Warm hat

  • Garbage bag

  • Additional safety and repair items