Performance Adventure Racing Series -- The Rules

The Performance Adventure Racing Series requires a mandatory Pre-Race Meeting on the evening before the race, at 6:30 PM. Safety issues, events, on-course rules, mystery Team tests, and other specific information will be discussed at this meeting. Team's Captains or a team member representative must attend the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting or risk disqualification.

Each Team is required to carry a copy of The AR Series Rules and a copy of the Mandatory Equipment from The AR Series Gear web page  with them during the race.

The AR Series Rules

1. All participants must be registered and must sign and bring the required waiver statements not later than the Check-in on the day of the race, about an hour before the start, at the Performance AR Series Meeting site (posted on the AR Series UPDATES page). Register early -- before the race. Check with Race Director at (904) 285-1552 to confirm.

2. A Team representative (usually the Team Captain) from each Team must attend the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting on the day of the race, 15 minutes prior to the start, (location is posted on AR Series Updates Page).    

3. Safety is the most important part of this event. All Teams must act in a safe manner, both for themselves and for other Teams. If a Team feels that any portion of Race is unsafe for their own level of training and preparation, they should reconsider continuing. If dropping out of the race, a Team must notify Race Mangers at the Main Transition/Admin area. We highly recommend that each member of each team be trained in CPR and First Aid.

4. Each Team (all members) must check-in at each Check Point in proper sequential order to finish this event. Each Team may receive a numbered Check-in Marker OR have their Passport punched at each Check Point reached as a Team.

5. Bike helmets must be worn and secured by straps at all times that Teams are riding or in contact with bikes, including within transition areas. Life jackets must be worn and secured at all times when in and around the kayaks or canoes.

6. Each Team must have and carry all Mandatory Equipment, including a basic First Aid kit at all times. See the AR Series Gear page for more detail about Mandatory Equipment.

7. There will be one Main Transition (MT) area. Teams may keep some of their  equipment, fluids, and supplies at this transition. You will be given instructions about what you should pack for the transition area at the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting.

8. All Teams must have and wear designated race numbers from the Race Director;  race numbers must be visible on front of Team members at all times. Additional race number markings may be written on Teammates by Race Managers to ensure clearer identification during the race.

9. Good Sportsmanship is essential. Teams showing unsportsmanlike conduct will be disqualified. The decision of Race Managers will be final in this situation. Teams will carry our all of their trash. Any Team found to be littering on the race course will be disqualified.

10. Teams must complete each leg or segment of the course as instructed, marked, or directed, and must do so together as a Team.  Teams arriving at any Check Point without a Team member will suffer severe penalties or be disqualified at the discretion of Race Officials. Use of GPS or any other electronic equipment is not allowed.

11. After the start, Teams receiving any outside assistance from spectators, friends, bystanders along the course, or any other non-racing person will be DQ'd (disqualified). Refunds are not permitted for disqualification. Teams may assist each other without penalty in the race if they choose.

12. Each Team must approach each Check Point and cross the finish line with all members of the Team together.  Any Team member arriving at the Finish-- or any Check Point --  without his or her Team will be sent back on the course to rejoin the Team or that Team could face severe penalties. Teams will not pass any Check Point or start a mystery test unless all Team members are together.  Each mystery test must be completed as a Team.

13. For Races at Guana Research Reserve: Teams MUST remain on designated trails and use wooden bridges when traveling in the southern part of Guana Reserve (south of the fence marking the Guana WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA (WMA). Teams are NOT allowed to cross any man-made, wooden bridges either on foot or on bikes when in the Guana Wildlife Management Area (north of the dividing fence). In the WMA, if biking, dismount, take your bike around the bridge on foot, and continue on the course as directed in your instructions. In this race, bridges in the WMA are considered as obstacles and may not be touched. Cheating will result in disqualification or severe penalties.

14. In order to finish, Teams must account for and turn in all required Check Point markers. Markers are provided at various Check Points along the course. It is the responsibility of the Teams to secure these markers and carry them for verification throughout the Race. There will only be one marker per Team at any Check Point, so it is essential that Teams carefully protect their markers.

15. Each team will use its own kayaks or canoes, paddles, life jackets, and mountain bikes. On Race Day morning, your Team's kayaks or canoe, paddles, life jackets,  and bikes must be brought to the appropriate location (designated by Race Managers at Pre-Race Meeting). Each team must have one non-inflatable, USCG approved life jacket for each member of the Team and each member will wear his or her life jacket at all times when in and around the kayaks or canoes. Each Team member must have a bike for the race.

16. Teams must stay close together throughout all Stages of the Race. If the Team is judged by Race Managers to have been separated or if it loses possession of the Passport or any required markers at any time, the Team will be directed  to re-group or regain possession of the required item(s) and re-start that segment of the Race.

17. There is a 3-hour time limit for SuperSprints and an 6-hour limit for Mid-Distance Races.  The 3-hour Races will officially end at 12:01pm on race day. The 6-hour Mid-Distance Races will officially end at 3:01pm on race day. Teams that have not finished by these times, may continue unofficially, and will be officially scored as "DNF" (Did Not Finish).

18. Rules and Required Equipment can change at any time prior to the Start of Performance AR Series Race. Teams are responsible for checking on this Rules list, AR Series Gear list, and The AR Series Updates periodically prior to race day to be certain of any updates to these Rules and Required Equipment. Teams must have Mandatory Equipment with the Team as designated in The AR Series Gear page. Your failure to have your Mandatory Equipment at verification points along The Race course or at the finish will be reason for disqualification or severe penalties for your Team at the discretion of the Race Officials.

19. A Team will be disqualified if found to be carrying, holding or using Forbidden Equipment as listed in AR Series Gear list.

20. Race Officials reserve the right to disqualify or remove a Team from the course and from competition for health, safety, sportsmanship, or other reasons at the discretion of the Race Officials.