H2O RESPONDER TEAM CHALLENGE
May 5 & 6, Santa Barbara, CA
The American Watercraft Association and K38 Water Safety extend an open invitation for your participation in the H2O Responder Team Challenge! Don't miss out on the fun and camaraderie at the only rescue fielded Personal Watercraft competition in the world!
The event will be held on Saturday May 5 for practice and May 6th for Competition in Santa Barbara California. Camping is available for free beginning Friday night at 4:00PM for campsite registration. Both dates are mandatory attendance due to safety issues on Saturday and Sunday. Please bring your family for the fun and have them cheer your team on!
All registered Teams will be able to join the AWA H2O Responders receiving an ID card, member benefits and RIDE Magazine. (for more information go to:
http://www.AWAhq.org)
The H2O Responder Team Challenge is open to 20 teams only.
Mission Statement: The H2O Responder Team Challenge is designed to promote camaraderie, good will utilizing standard personal watercraft and water rescue equipment woven into a fun and challenging competitive atmosphere. The monies raised will benefit the Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards in Swiftwater and Flood Rescue, a well deserved charity.
The Team Fee is $400 (split between team members or paid by your sponsor), this includes camping on site and a catered meal for Saturday evening.
H2O Responder Team Challenge Events
H2O Slalom Course PWC Operator will be given 2 runs on a zigzag course, best timed run scores, individual runs score independently for overall placings that go towards team score
H2O Timed Buoy Course PWC operator navigates through a series of buoys riding multiple laps for an overall timed score. All team members scores are combined for an overall team placing
H2O Team Rescue All team members participate in a skill building course that begins on land launching their PWC from an ATV with trailer to a fixed station on the water to retrieve their victim. Timing stops when victim is placed at a designed ‘station’ on the beach and the PWC is loaded back on the trailer and returned to staging. Teams score for team placing points
H2O Kayak Obstacle Course Ocean kayak obstacle course through the surf, navigating through obstacles and buoys back to shore, running through a stop/start gate with kayak and oar across the finish line to stop time. Individual times are combined for an overall team score.
Liquid Militia Relay: Teams will compete in a run-swim-run event as a beach relay; each team member shall be wearing full gear, fins, full wetsuit, helmet, land lifejacket swimming with an attached over the shoulder strap rescue tube.
Liquid Militia Core Challenge: Pushing a PWC across the beach sand from Point A Starting to Point B stopping time. Teams receive timed scores for the overall placing
H2O Bonus Event: GET WET OR GO HOME CHALLENGE
‘Stand up’ Jet Ski buoy course that can help or hurt your team depending upon who rides!
Event Location
Location: Liquid Militia Beach, Santa Barbara, California
Directions:
Will be given to paid registered teams only
Tides: Will be taken into consideration during challenge events
Helmet and PFD must be worn within 10' of the waterline, no exceptions.
Be sure you have your personal gear labeled for identification purposes.
Personal Watercraft Competition Rules
Scorekeepers for the events will be:
Shawn Alladio
Kim La Bounty
Steve Miller
Kyla Dominguez
Trevor Smith
John Donaldson
Competition Director: Shawn Alladio
MANDATORY SAFETY MEETING: All competitors are required to attend a mandatory safety meeting before practice is permitted on Saturday May 5th.
Practice sessions will involve coaching and instructions prior to competition on Sunday. The Challenge courses will be demonstrated first to competitors for a clear understanding.
EVENTS
Awards will be given to all participants according to their individual and team placings per event. We will also distribute awards for the Overall top 5 teams.
Competitors will utilize a Sit-Down personal watercraft 3 person capacity in the events. Kawasaki Jet Ski STX-15 Four Stroke Watercraft.
Rescue Boards will be supplied
Gath Helmets and lifejackets will be supplied if needed
FACILITY
No smoking will be allowed within 300 feet of the personal watercraft. No dogs permitted.
Competitors are invited to bring shade covers, banners, chairs, tables and ice chests to the venue site. You must notify Shawn Alladio in advance if you will be camping on site. The facility has plenty of parking and tent areas, including picnic tables, and a large barbecue pit. Bring potable water. Portable restrooms are on site.
EQUIPMENT
Competitors shall use personal watercraft provided by the Host.
Competitors will be supplied Lanyards for personal watercraft
Competitors will be supplied USCG approved lifejacket for personal watercraft
Competitors will be supplied Gath helmets if desired.
Loaned gear will be available at staging and must be returned upon exiting course.
MANDATORY SAFETY GEAR:
Wetsuits/drysuits, helmets, foot protection, gloves, USCG approved Lifejacket.
Optional: eye protection, fin belts w/fins
SCHEDULING
Day One is a full day of open practice, first come at each staging area is the first to practice. A pit board will be on display in the staging area with all the rules and team event information posted for your convenience.
SCORING
The combined overall times of both passes will be used to determine the competitors score for team rescue event.
Tie Breakers: During all events the operators second faster run will be used to determine the winner. Or a tie-breaking run will be squared off between 2 teams
Contestants are not permitted to interrupt scorekeepers or ask for times on their runs. This will result in disqualification immediately in event. Event times and scores will be posted on event pit board by runners at appropriate break.
If team has a question about rules or disagreement with scorekeepers, team leader is the only permitted speaker on behalf of the team to the Contest Director of this event. Refer to Shawn Alladio for all complaints and final judgments.
If a vessel malfunctions (PWC), a secondary backup will be used. Competition Director will determine if the craft had a problem or not, otherwise run will not be overruled for rerun.
All vessels (PWC's) shall be stock, one primary competition PWC and one back up in case of malfunction.
Vessels will need time for serving. PWC's will be taken to refueling station.
If an alarm sounds off on PWC, operators will use the 'mode select' button to disengage alarm and notify contest director immediately of the warning signs or the LCD display warning:
Fuel-Needs gasoline
Oil/Eng-Needs oil/engine needs service
Temp-engine is getting hot, cooling line is plugged
Volt-Battery is going dead, electrical problem
Penalties:
10 second penalty will be added to score time in the Slalom Course for missed buoys.
10 second penalty will be added to score time in the Team Rescue for missed buoys.
Rescuer/Operator/Victim must be on vessel/rescue board crossing all buoys and start/stop gates, otherwise operator must go back into position and retrieve people overboard, and complete course. Time will keep running until this is accomplished.
GENERAL RULES Buoy Course shall be marked as follows, there may be exceptions, and they will be outlined the day of practice sessions:
Red (orange) buoy - Left turn
Yellow buoy - Right turn
Double buoy - Entry/Exit gate
Cones on the beach for start/stop gates
Flags shall be used as follows:
Green - Start of competition, your time will begin when you enter the starting buoy gate on the Slalom Course and when the rubber band snaps on the Closed Course.
Yellow - Warns riders of a hazard on the course. After the yellow flag is displayed, the rider is required to continue with caution and be aware of hazards.
Red - Signifies the event will stop immediately regardless of the position of the craft on the course. The red flag will be used by the race director if the course has become dangerous. All riders must return to shore for a re-start.
Black/White - Completion of race.
Whistle Blasts will coincide to warn operators of infractions, or not heeding green/red flags
Competition Check-In:
(SET UP Competition check in will commence on May 4th at 4:00 PM. First come first served for camping spots.)
Loaned gear will be issued, and team name will be given to scorekeepers at event tent on beach. Competitors will follow flag signals for stop/start of their event. Competition will close at 5:00PM. If runs are not produced during those times, registered teams will forfeit their prospective placing as a DNR (Did not Race).
Guidelines:
Manufactured lanyard must be worn around left wrist. If you fall off the PWC, it will come to a stop a distance from your position. You will have to swim back to the PWC, look for the lanyard around your wrist before swimming. Time keeps going until you re-board and complete buoy course
If you have a problem and need assistance, hold you hand up in the air, assistance will be rendered.
If you are OK after a fall, tap the top of your helmet for communication signal to staff
PWC's must be started in kneed deep water for one person, and waist deep water for 2-3 people on board
When you exit the competition courses-watch your speed and direction! Come back slowly to shore once you have completed your course, do not run the boat on shore-shut the boat engine off immediately if the pump makes contact with the beach!
Loose hair must be pulled back, loose articles of clothing must be secured, including wetsuit zipper leashes
Competitors must wear a wetsuit, drysuit, no bathing suits allowed
Operators must be at least 16 years of age to operate.
USCG approved PFD"s are required
You are required to wear a water type helmet during this competition
Event can be postponed/changed or cancelled due to inclement weather, bacterial concerns or other problems beyond out control
Keep yourself hydrated, use sunscreen, keep warm
No testing of watercraft allowed at any time! Immediate dismissal will result. No free riding allowed. All watercraft are supplied, do not bring your own!
Watch out for broken glass/sharp shells/rocks/oil deposits on sandy beach, wear shoes at all times
NO SWIMMING allowed at event site, no lifeguard on duty, no persons allowed to swim near boats during this event, unless it is a contest 'swim event'.
Personal Watercraft: Class A Vessel
Are powered by a jet pump in-drive system. If you let off the throttle and try to steer, you will not have control of the boat! If a boat is revved up to 6,000 rpm, sometimes 'the off throttle steering' will kick in on certain models, be aware of this feature. Be careful when exiting course and returning to shore! SLOW IS PRO! Safety First! Return to shore staging zone and idle speed, no wake speed. Pull your lanyard or push the red stop button to stop the craft, do not allow pump to suck up rocks/sand/pebbles.
Event Sponsors:
Liquid Militia
K38 Water Safety
Kawasaki Motors Corporation
American Watercraft Association
Gath Shields
Wahoo Lifesled
Hydroturf
Team Profiles
We will need a complete team Biography and or profile submitted ASAP.
Event Staff
Steve Miller
Steve is a 33-year member of the Cabin John Park VFD. He currently serves as Deputy Fire Chief of Operations for the Department and as the Team Leader for the Montgomery County (MD) River Rescue and Tactical Services Team. The Team is responsible for rescues on the Potomac River from the Washington DC line to an area North of Seneca, MD. This area is called by some the wildest urban white water in the USA, and includes the Great Falls of the Potomac. The Team is comprised of approximately 60 career and volunteer Firefighters and has a dive component as well. It is also responsible for all other moving water and dive rescues in the County and is available to other jurisdictions via a mutual - aid system. On an average year the Team responds to approximately seventy water responses.
Steve is currently certified as a swift water rescue technician, irb instructor, and an airboat rescue craft instructor. He has been a recipient of the Higgins and Langley Lifetime Achievement Award for Swift water Rescue as well as a Unit Citation. Numerous other water rescue awards include those from Montgomery County Fire Rescue, the Montgomery County Council, the Maryland State Congress and Senate, and the National Park Service. He has served on numerous other State and local committees relevant to swift water and flood rescue. In 2000 he testified before a committee of the United States Congress on flood rescue issues in the US.
On the career side he has served for twenty-nine years with the District of Colombia Fire Department in Washington DC. He currently serves in the Special Operations Battalion where he divides his time between the Fire and Rescue Boats, the Heavy Rescue Squads, and the Haz Mat Unit. Steve will be assisting with the judging criteria during the Challenge.
Kyla Dominguez Owner - K38 Water Safety
Kyla manages the administration needs and on occasion works in the field alongside her mother, Shawn Alladio. Kyla has been involved with promoting the California Police and Fire Games since 1993, starting out as a 'runner'. She has worked her way up the ranks and officially sponsored and ran the event on her own in 2003 with the host agency, Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. This was K38's 10th year anniversary of promoting the Police and Fire Games Personal Watercraft Competition, with all proceeds donated towards the host agencies charity of choice. Kyla will serve in an administrative capacity for the Rigg Challenge.
Shawn Alladio PWC Event Coordinator
Shawn Alladio has been using personal watercraft since 1979. She began racing professionally in 1989, and subsequently began her instructional career at the same time. Her background of IJSBA racing techniques, event promotions, water safety management at special events, legislative lobbying for safety and education, research and design of related equipment and parts, rescues and big wave rescue knowledge, have fielded the company K38 Water Safety into a global outreach for Personal Watercraft instruction for various agencies applications. K38 now has affiliates in South Africa, Italy and Brazil. Shawn will be the event coordinator for the Rigg Challenge.
Nancy J. Rigg
Honorary Guest
Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards In Swiftwater Rescue
The Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards in Swiftwater Rescue were established by members of the National Association for Search and Rescue's (NASAR) Swiftwater Rescue Committee in 1993 in honor of Earl Higgins and Jeff Langley. Nancy Rigg's fiancé, Earl Higgins, lost his life during an attempt to rescue a 12 year old boy in the flood-swollen Los Angeles River in 1980. Jeff Langley lost his life during a helicopter incident in 1993. Prior to his death, Jeff had worked with Nancy to promote the development of a multi-agency swiftwater and flood rescue program in Los Angeles County.
Higgins and Langley Awards: A 501(c)3 non-profit designation.
AWA-K38 H2O RESPONDERS TEAM CHALLENGE
FEE: Team registration is $400.00. This includes on-site camping and a catered meal on Saturday night. Camping is open to families, please no pets. Tents or RV’s/campers welcome. No flush out available for recreational vechiles/camers. Bring your own potable water.
Payable to the Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards (see below for address)
Participants will receive a registration kit, and a sponsorship information pack.
Participants will be required to attend a ‘mandatory’ safety program briefing-all forms turned in.
HOW TO REGISTER? Teams must pre-register via website registration on
http://www.ShawnAlladio.com
Click on the right scrollbar when the H2O Responder Team Challenge passes through and it will take you directly to registration.
Event Information provided upon request. Forms submitted for your review. Final Confirmation Date: April 25th, 2006
TEAM MEMBERS: Teams can be multi-agency, private, sponsored, or combination. A team is comprised of from 3-5 people. As little as 3 people can register or up to 5 people per team.
EQUIPMENT/GEAR: Personal gear shall be listed per competition discipline, as well as supplied equipment by volunteer host or sponsors of event. This information will be in your event inquiry via email response. (Basic: Helmet, Lifejacket, Thermal Protection, Footwear, Gloves)
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT- Kawasaki Jet Skis (sit down/stand-up)
AWARDS: Team awards will be administered from 1st to 5th place
Registrants will receive a certificate of participation at registration
Some events will also have donated product towards the awards program
AWARDS PROGRAM:
Will commence on site after the scores have been tallied.
Recommendations:
Make sure team members are physically fit to participate in strenuous on-water activities. Bring plenty of hydration/snacks and clothing for the climate this time of year. Warm during the day, cool at night, chance of fog or light showers. Try to practice with your team and design competitive strategies of communication and teamwork.
Begin a physical exercise regime, including stretching exercises. Make sure you have representation from your agency to use their name, or come up with your own team name independent from ‘in house conflicts of interest’. Create a team banner, t-shirt or theme.
This is an extremely physically demanding program, be sure you are aware of all risks inherent with such conditions and that injury or death are possible, competitors assume all liability for participating in this event, and will be required to sign waivers and medical release forms.
CHARITY INFORMATION
HIGGINS AND LANGLEY MEMORIAL AND EDUCATION FUND, a 501(c)3 non-profit that sponsors the Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards in Swiftwater and Flood Rescue.
SUBMITTAL and RESPONSE
E-mail your team information to
K38Rescue@aol.com
TEAM NAME:
TEAM CAPATIN____________________________________ _Agency:
Team Member 2______________________________________Agency:
Team Member 3______________________________________Agency:
Team Member 4______________________________________Agency:
Team Member 5______________________________________Agency:
Contact Person: __________________________________Email:
Address: City
ZIP: Phone Number:
RECEIPT/Payment: MAKE SURE YOU READ THIS!
Before you registration please contact K38 Water Safety via email or fax before you send payment. Your payment information will be given to you in conjunction with registration!
Your team will be sent a tax deductible receipt from the Higgins and Langley Swiftwater Awards within 60 days of receipt of deposited funds. Or this receipt will reflect to the name of the payee/address on the submitted check. No exceptions. If team members are to donate individually towards the entry fee, individual receipts will be issued, NO exceptions! . No refunds. Or you can sign up using PayPal on the homepage registration form. No tax deduction will be available for using this service using a credit card, please note!
Please provide the following:
· Jpeg photo of team-permission to reprint
· Bio of team members: Name-agency-training-rescue experience-personal hobbies & interests-permission to reprint
· Favorite Quote
· Agency website URL
INJURIES: In case of injury to participant, team is permitted to run with 2 team members to complete any unfinished events.
FORFEIT: A team can forfeit their position to compete on any event disciplines for any reason from within their team membership vote, by contacting the event director at the venue site. Team overall scores will reflect a DNC (did not compete) on the score sheets. These scores can not be made up at a later time. Teams can sign up for the Challenge for full registration fee and choose to only participate in specific team events for individual award placing, instead of overall.
Warning: Activities portrayed are conducted by highly trained professionals. Do not attempt to use any of the equipment under the conditions of flood/ocean or swiftwater applications without extensive training and knowledge of such conditions ... failure to do so can result in death or serious injury. Sponsors, volunteers and event organizers assume no liability under these conditions. Use all rescue equipment at own risk, and read owner's manuals and warning labels thoroughly before use.
Liquid Militia - K38 Water Safety
C/O Shawn Alladio
PO Box 60921
Santa Barbara, California USA 93160
LQM-K38 Warehouse Office Ph/Fax (805) 968-2452
K38 Direct Ph: (562) 298 6916
K38Rescue@aol.com www.ShawnAlladio.com www.K38Maritime.com www.LiquidMilitia.com
'The Life You Save May Be Your Own'
JOIN Today! K38 - AWA H20 Responders
www.AWAhq.org 
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