1. General Information
Pre-race safety meeting starts at 7:30am at the boat ramp. Racers must attend the safety meeting, or they will not be allowed to race. It is recommended that all racers arrive around 6:30am to prepare their gear and sign their insurance waivers.
As soon as the safety meeting is over, racers may begin lining up in anticipation for the race heats to start.
Race heats begin at the Brownville, Nebraska boat ramp 648A Ave, Brownville, NE 68321(M533) on the Missouri River. The official finish line is the Rulo, Nebraska ramp (Parking lot of Pro Outfitters, 110 N. Ash St. Rulo, NE 68431) and your time is recorded when the bow of your boat breaks the plane of the boat ramp.
A free meal to all racers, crew, and families will be available beginning at 3:30pm.
Medals will be handed out as you finish.
2. Entry Fee per racer registration:
$60 via Venmo or Cash the day of the race.
3. Pre Race Meeting:
7:30am same location as start
4. Start Location: Brownville, Nebraska Boat Ramp or the Lewis and Clark Campsite (648A Ave, Brownville, NE 68321(M533) Coordinates are: 40.39567 N, 95.65062 W NOTE: Porta potties are available at Brownville. No electricity. There are two shelters and the Lewis & Clark Campground. Camping in Brownville is free so plan to stay the night before if you want.
5. Official Checkpoints, Paddle Stops and Information:
Brownville to Indian Cave State Park Checkpoint #1 - NOTE! You must buy a park pass for the day at Indian State Cave Park. They are $14 for out of state and $7 for NE.
Directions
Main street turns to 647A Ave South (that is also 67 Hwy South) through Nemaha. Keep straight on 67 South. Turn left on 720 Road or 64 E Spur. You come to a guard shack to pay. Keep on this road. You will wind through the forest, pass many roads, many trailheads, but stay straight. This road takes you clear to the river ramp. The last trailhead you pass is E Ridge Trail.
Coordinates are: 40.25577 N, 95.54082 W
Indian State Cave Park Info
Lots of camping available
Bathrooms
RIVER is narrow in this section
Ramp is on channel side and goes with the river
Nice paved lot
No water
Langdon Bend Access Paddle Stop
This road is NOT correct on Google Maps. This is a Conservation Road and is one road to the south of where navigation tries to take you. Read signs, it should be 270th Rd. Great ramp, no bathrooms, water or shelters.
Thurnau State Park Checkpoint #2
Directions
From Craig, MO, take Hwy 111 West to right on Austin Road. Ramp at end of road.
Coordinates are: 40.16886 N, 95.45732 W
Thurnau State Park Info
No facilities, water or shelters
Large eddy at the ramp
Small beach area
6. Finish Location: The Rulo, NE Boat Ramp or 413 N Ash St, Rulo, NE 68431 (MM495)
Coordinates are:40.05013 N, 95.42133 W
7. Classes*:
Men’s Solo Unlimited Women’s Solo Unlimited
Tandem Unlimited USCA C2
Kayak Class Men/Women Solo (18’ max length)
SUP Class Pedal Drive
*There must be minimum 3 in a class. Race director reserves the right to combine/split classes if we have small/large amount of entrants in certain classes.
8. Class Definitions:
Unlimited Class
There are no restrictions on the design of the canoe/kayak. They may be single or double bladed, or a combination of both. Gender and number of participants (solo or tandem) will be the two criteria for these classes.
USCA Canoe Class
Canoes that fall into either USCA definitions below will meet the criteria for the USCA Canoe Class. If we have 3 or more canoes for each class, we will hold these two classes separately.
USCA Standard Canoe
Max length: 18’6”
No mechanical aids allowed, i.e. Rudders and electric bailers.
Must be paddled with single blades only.
No restriction on boat materials used for construction.
Most canoes manufactured will easily meet these specs, i.e MNII, all USCA competition cruisers, Alumacraft etc.
Pro boats are not allowed.
Men's, Women’s and Mixed teams may compete in this class.
Kayak Class
Max length: 18’
Min Width: 21”
SUP Class
Stand Up Paddleboard
Pedal Class
Kayak, max length 18', pedal driven only. No paddles only leg powered.
9. Rules:
1. All racers must attend the mandatory race check-in and safety meeting at 7:30am at the Brownville, NE boat ramp.
2. The Rulo River Quest will officially start at 8:00am CST or sooner if participants are ready, on the Missouri River at the Brownville, NE boat ramp.
3. The race will officially end at 6:30pm or when the last boat has reached the finish, whichever comes earlier. A team’s participation in this event ends when they have reached the finish before 6:30pm or when they notify race officials that they have withdrawn. Participants still on the Missouri River after 6:30pm are electing to continue independently of the race.
4. Each race craft must be propelled exclusively by paddle or pedal (pedal kayak only) power (double or single blade) while on the water. No rowing configuration is permitted. No sail or kite is permitted.
5. All participants agree to appear in this event related media coverage free of charge.
6. For any “shortcut” to be legal, it must have a flow of river water through it. Overland portages are not allowed. Portages over exposed “wing dams” for convenience are not permitted. Outside assistance is not permitted.
7. Outside assistance that provides intentional aid in the forward progress of a canoe/kayak is not allowed. This includes towing, wake riding, deflection of wind and “rafting up”. However, limited interaction between the competitor race craft is acceptable. No towing of race craft is permitted.
8. Ground support is allowed for racers but is not mandatory. A ground crew may assist with procurement of supplies, preparation of meals, etc. Ground crew may not, in any way, assist with propulsion of the boat. No contact on the water is allowed. No support (excluding emergent) provided from a support boat is allowed.
9. Infractions of any rule during the event will be grounds for time penalties or disqualification to be reasonably and fairly determined by the Race Directors.
10. Deliberate littering of the river is illegal. Teams must keep their trash in their canoes/kayaks and either transfer it to their support teams or go ashore themselves to properly dispose of waste.
11. All team members should understand there are serious risks involved in this endeavor. The hydraulics associated with many of the wing dams along the river are inherently dangerous. The greatest risk, however, is from the numerous large and small powered craft that ply the river.
Constant vigilance, clear thinking, and quick reaction will be essential at all times. Good judgment must dictate when it is time to rest. All team members (racers and support personnel) will enter this race at their own risk and will not hold this event’s organizers, judges, officials, and sponsors liable for accidents to personnel or damage to any property.
12. Anyone paddling solo in this event must be at least 18 years of age on race day or at least 14 years of age if part of a tandem team accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. (Note that the parent or legal guardian must sign the liability waiver for under 18 years old.)
13. All participants in this event, including paddlers and other team members must agree to the “Rulo River Quest Waiver and Release of Liability”. This waiver is required for participation in this event. We will have extras at the registration table the day of the event as well.
14. You may not share paddlers. You may share ground crew support.
15. Each racer must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver at all times while on the water. A whistle must also be attached to each life preserver at all times.
16. Boating at night is dangerous and the organizers do not allow this, as all racers are required to finish before 6:30pm. If a racer decides to continue independently of the race, they should be aware that full navigation lights are required for night travel as per Missouri State boating laws. This would include red/green lights on the bow and a white stern light. Paddlers should also have an LED or chemical light affixed to their PFD in case of emergency. A white light (flashlight) for signaling should also be aboard.
17. Boating in foggy conditions is dangerous and is neither required nor recommended. Assistance from race officials may take hours, especially in adverse conditions, and all racers need to be prepared to self-rescue and hike out if needed.
18. In formulating the rules that govern this event, every effort has been made to foresee all situations and problems that may arise, however, officials of the Rulo River Quest Race retain the right to change or amend these rules at any time without liability or recourse from any party regardless of the circumstances. Should such changes or amendments be made, every effort will be made to notify all entrants.
10. Craft Requirements:
1. The original craft must be paddled from start to finish. Repairs may be made to the craft during the race, but no other alterations are permitted.
The following waiver & release of liability is for reading purposes only. You will be required to sign the actual paper form (adult and/or child)at the race start.
AMERICAN CANOE ASSOCIATION ADULT WAIVER & RELEASE OF LIABILITY
READ BEFORE SIGNING
IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to participate in any way in the American Canoe Association, Inc. sports and recreation program and related activities (“Activities”) I, for myself, my personal representatives, assigns, heirs, and next of kin:
1. ACKNOWLEDGE, agree, and represent that I understand the nature of paddlesports and related activities and that I am qualified, in good health, in proper physical condition to participate in such activity and willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions of participation. I further agree and warrant that if at any time I believe conditions to be unsafe, I will immediately discontinue further participation in the Activity. If I decide to leave early and not complete the trip as planned, I assume all risks inherent in my decision to leave.
2. FULLY UNDERSTAND that: (a) Paddlesports and related ACTIVITIES INVOLVE RISKS AND DANGERS OF DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY AND SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, INCLUDING PERMANENT DISABILITY, PARALYSIS, AND DEATH ("RISKS"); (b) these Risks and dangers may be caused by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the Activity, the condition in which the Activity takes place, or THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE "RELEASEES" NAMED BELOW; (c) there may be OTHER RISKS AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LOSSES either not known to me or not readily foreseeable at this time; and I FULLY ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS AND ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSSES, COSTS, AND DAMAGES I incur as a result of my participation or that of the minor in the Activity.
3. HEREBY RELEASE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the American Canoe Association, Inc., its Paddle America Clubs, affiliated clubs and organizational affiliates, their respective ACA certified instructors, certified instructor trainers, and certified instructor trainer educators, administrators, directors, agents, officers, members, volunteers, and employees, other participants, any sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the Activity takes place, (each considered one of the "RELEASEES" herein) FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, INJURIES, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, OR OTHER DAMAGES ON MY ACCOUNT CAUSED OR ALLEGED TO BE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE "RELEASEES" OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING NEGLIGENT RESCUE OPERATIONS; AND I FURTHER AGREE that if, despite this RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT I, or anyone on my behalf, makes a claim against any of the Releasees, I WILL INDEMNIFY, SAVE, AND HOLD HARMLESS EACH OF THE RELEASEES from any litigation expenses, attorney fees, loss, liability, damage, or cost which any may incur as the result of such claim.
I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT AND HAVE SIGNED IT FREELY AND WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT OR ASSURANCE OF ANY NATURE AND INTEND IT TO BE A COMPLETE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY TO THE GREATEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW AND AGREE THAT IF ANY PORTION OF THIS AGREEMENT IS HELD TO BE INVALID THE BALANCE, NOTWITHSTANDING, SHALL CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.
**Signing for this waiver is included in the registration**