(a) During all changeovers, the crewperson must maintain contact with the IRB and control it in a safe manner. In changeovers the crewperson and patient, as detailed under the relative event descriptions, handle the IRB as detailed in Rule 3.3.3.3 (b), (c) and (d). It is also permitted for the boat to be placed at an angle to assist the driver entry if it is safe to do so.
Note 1: When completing the changeover the driver, crew and patients must follow the exit procedures detailed in Section 3.3.3.6.
Note 2: The IRB must recommence from a position wholly within the allocated lane or on the team’s allocated lane line but there is no penalty should an IRB move outside the allocated lane when turning the IRB around provided that there is no interference to other teams in the race.
(b) For the changeover in the teams and relay events, the first and second driver must visibly tag (refer Section 2.21 for definition of a tag). To do this the first driver proceeds to the start/finish line, rounds their respective beach position marker (see Rule 3.3.2.7) (in either direction [i.e., clockwise, or anticlockwise] at the driver’s discretion) and visibly touches (tags) with the second driver who is positioned with their toes on or behind the shoreward side of the changeover line and to the seaward side of the beach position marker. The outgoing driver is not required to be stationary, but the tag must occur within this area which is called the changeover zone.
Note 1: For the IRB Teams Rescue and the IRB Relay events a pole is to be placed directly behind the beach position marker and is to extend approximately 1.8 metres out of the sand to the to assist ensure the correct changeover procedure. Alternatively, 1.8 metre high beach position markers may be used for all events.
Note 2: For the purpose of judging the tag must occur when the feet of both the incoming and outgoing competitors are within the designated changeover zone. It is clarified that the feet do not need to be grounded within this zone.