(a) The start shall be effected by having skis afloat and in line, with each team holding the ski ready to push off. A Check Starter should be positioned in the water and shall signal when the competitors are in line and ready to start. Any team who disregards the Starter or Check Starter’s directions shall be disqualified. The distance between skis at the start should be approximately 1.5 metres.
Note: If conditions are such that the Starter cannot provide a fair start a dry start is to be effected.
(b) On the starting signal from the Starter, the competitors should paddle their ski around all buoys and return to the finish line.
(c) A wet finish placing shall be determined when any part of the ski crosses the finish line being ridden, gripped, or carried by the competitors.
Note 1: Competitors must paddle their ski (including both paddles around all the course buoys but shall not be disqualified if they lose control or contact with their craft after the last course buoy is rounded on the return journey.
Note 2: To correctly complete a race both competitors must have (or have regained) their ski and at least one paddle and crossed the finishing line from the seaward side whilst maintaining contact with their ski and at least one paddle.
Note 3: Competitors may lose contact or control of their ski and/or paddle(s) without disqualification and may recover a ski and/or paddle(s) that have crossed the finish line and then again cross the finish line from the seaward side with the ski and at least one paddle to correctly record a finish placing result.
(d) A dry finish shall be determined when one competitor from a team leaves their ski and paddle and runs across the finish line which is placed on the beach as per the diagram. Competitors may leave their craft and paddle(s) at any time after the final buoy turn has been completed and one competitor must cross the line whilst remaining in an upright position on their feet.
Note 1: Competitors must paddle their ski (including both paddles around all the course buoys but shall not be disqualified if they lose control or contact with their craft after the last course buoy is rounded on the return journey
Note 2: To assist with judging only one competitor from each team is permitted to cross the finish line while the place judging process is in progress. A team may be disqualified if both competitors from the team cross the finish line while the place judging is in progress.
Note 3: At the finish of the event one competitor is responsible for the handling of the ski and paddles and to ensure that they and their craft do not impede another team. The competitor may also be assisted by a Handler. A Handler shall not be considered to be a competitor but shall be required to:
(i) Be a financial SLSA member.
(ii) Wear a hi viz top if entering the water beyond knee depth water or, if required by the event organiser, the provided handler’s vest and/or other provided garments.
(iii) A handler, if directed by the event organiser, must also wear a competition cap.
(iv) Comply with all instructions from Officials and comply with all SLSA rules and policies.
(v) Make every effort to ensure that they, or the equipment that they are handling, does not impede another competitor, otherwise the competitor may be subject to disqualification.