2025-2026 BIIF CANOE PADDLING RULES

FOR REGATTA RACES

OFFICIALS:
The BIIF Executive Secretary will approve officials. To assist, each HOST school
will try to provide one adult to receive training as an official. When needed, they will
assist the existing group of officials during the season.
ELIGIBILITY:
Each participant must be eligible under the rules of the Big Island Interscholastic
Federation. Coaches are to check with their Athletic Directors on athlete eligibility. A
copy of the eligibility list must be submitted to the coordinator two weeks prior to the
first regatta.
BIIF MEET RULES:
The current BIIF rules will govern all regattas. Distance races will be governed by a
separate set of rules.
General Rules:
-A racing crew shall consist of no more than (6) paddlers. JV races shall be 1/4 mile
with the Varsity races at 1/2 mile.
For regular season regattas we will combine heats for both DI and DII
crews. Fastest DI/DII times will advance to finals. DI/DII crews will compete
in separate division finals. Regular season lane drawings for heats will be
done by random draw. Lane drawings for regular season finals and BIIF
Championship will be determined by the accumulated points of regular
season regattas based on the placement of a crew in their DI or DII division.
-Each canoe must start and finish with a full crew of (6) paddlers. A school may list (8)
paddlers in the male and female divisions and (10) paddlers in the mixed division.
However, only the listed paddlers on the entry form may compete in the race. Once the
entry form is submitted, there will be no changes.
-There is a 5 minute break between finish of one heat and the start of the next with the
exception of races at Kailua-Kona where there will be a 7 minute break OR time will be
added at the discretion of the head official
-Scoring: For all regattas, the following scoring system will be used: points depend on the
number of canoes. If 8 canoes, then the winner gets 9 Points, 2

nd place 7 points, third
place 6 points etc. Each divisional race (DI/DII JV and Varsity) will be scored. If there is
more than one heat and a final heat is run, the winner still gets the added point and so on
down. Teams that fail to make it to the final heat are still awarded points if they placed
higher than another canoe.

NOTE: This will have no bearing in determining the league championship except for the
order of lane selection draw. (Changed: 6/23/07)
Equipment:
-Six-man canoe- the canoe must meet the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association’s
specifications and be weighed before use in the first meet. Each school is responsible for
supplying their own weights to make adjustments.
-Paddles: HHSAA Rule (HIADA 2008)
Paddles must have a wooden shaft and be single bladed. The paddling blade
may be made out of wood or some other synthetic material and have a protective
or supportive (strengthening) covering which may be fibrous, Kevlar, carbon fiber,
etc. The paddle may also have an edging or prosthesis for protection on the
bottom or sides as well.
-Tying of ‘Ama shall be consistent with the state rule
-Each school is solely responsible for any damage or loss to the equipment in their care
and is responsible for rigging their own canoes.
Uniforms:
All team members must be in identical uniforms according to gender. (All girls must
have identical uniforms as well as the boys.) Caps, visors, sunglasses, or undershirts may
be worn on an individual basis. However, the jersey must be worn over the undershirt. If
more than one crew member uses an undershirt, the undershirts must be identical.
Proposed:
All team members must be in identical uniforms according to gender. (All girls must
have identical uniforms to each other as well as the boys but do not have to be the same.)
Caps, visors, sunglasses, or undershirts may be worn on an individual basis. However,
the jersey must be worn over the undershirt. If more than one crew member uses an
undershirt, the undershirts must be identical. Sleeve length may be adjusted (rolled up or
tucked) but not cut off.

Course:
-The official racecourse shall be 1⁄4 mile in length and shall be laid out in equal lanes that
are (80) feet wide. Each lane shall be designated by (2) flags of the same color, with one
at each end of the course. All flags shall have a minimum dimension of (30) inches,
shall be made of lightweight, quick-drying cloth, and as much as possible, shall be
covered with colors such that no two lanes shall have the same colored flags.
-No pacing allowed running, whistling or megaphones
-No unofficial boats aloud on course (all official boats will be checked in with lead
official)

Starts and Finishes:
-All starts shall be in accordance with the starter’s instructions.
-A yellow flag will be displayed from the official boat for a maximum of (5) minutes as
soon as the last boat from the previous race reaches shore, OR at the discretion of the
head official. In Kailua-Kona there will be a 7 minute break from the last finishing boat.
Then, the yellow flag will be waved for approximately (5) seconds. When the yellow
flag is dropped, the red flag will be raised. Simultaneously with the dropping of the red
flag, the green flag will be raised to signify the start of the race.
-A canoe not on the starting line in time for the official start shall have no right to protest
on the grounds of an unfair start.
-BOAT HOLDERS No more than two (2) boat holders will be allowed. No assisting
in forward motion of the canoe at the start. (added 102225)

Disqualification:
Racing crews may be disqualified for the following reasons:
-The canoe extends over the starting line.
-The canoe is in the wrong lane.
-A canoe not finishing in the assigned lane.
-A canoe not finishing the entire course.
-A crew entering the course before the last canoe has crossed the finish line. -Canoe
holders pushing the canoe on the start. Each canoe may have not more than (2) holders
in the water at the start.
-A crew interferes with another crew by crossing lanes.
-A crew touches the start flags. However, once the bow crosses the finish line, any part
of the canoe may touch the finish flag. A crew may also touch the flag on the turn but
cannot cause the flag to touch the water.
-Use of an ineligible paddler.
Lanes:
-All canoes must remain in their own lanes and in no way interfere with other
participating canoes. When (2) canoes approach each other from opposite directions
within the same lane, each canoe shall occupy as nearly as possible the 1⁄2 width of the
lane nearest its own line of flags so that the canoes will pass each other between
adjoining flags. If interference is claimed, the canoe not in its assigned lane will be
disqualified.
-If interference is claimed, the canoe not in its assigned lane will be disqualified.

Heat Assignments:
Whenever a division has more than (6) entries, two heats will be run. The heats

will be determined as follows:
1
st Heat: Random Draw
Subsequent Heats including Finals: Fastest times in heats. If a team does not have
the fastest time, they will draw last by the best single time.
Heat 1: 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13
Heat 2: 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11,

If there are six or less entries in the division, only a single heat will be held.
If there is more than one heat in the varsity division during all regattas, a final heat will
be run to determine the best team of the day. Times from the final heat will be used to
determine lane assignments for the next regatta. (Proposed 5/28/08)

Lane Draws:
Split League (East only/ West only) Regatta: Random Draw
All school Regatta: Random Draw
BIIF Championship: Accumulated Points
BIIF Regatta and Championship Finals: (DI/DII Varsity Divisions Only): The fastest time
of the top (4) finishers in the championship heats will select first. Then the fastest time of
the other (4) teams in the finals will select lanes until all lanes have been assigned.
Turns:
All turns shall be left (ama) turns around assigned lane flags. Canoes may touch the flag
during the turn, but if at anytime the canoe causes the flag to touch the water, the crew is
disqualified.
-When canoes assigned to adjoining lanes occupy the same lane during a turning
maneuver, each canoe shall maneuver in such a way as to occupy as nearly as possible
the 1⁄2 width of the lane nearest its own line of flags so that the canoes will pass each other
hull to hull.
Swamping:
A canoe that swamps during a race may be bailed out by its crew and proceed in the race.
There shall be a (10) minute time limit to do so. At the end of the (10) minutes, the race
officials shall declare the crew disqualified and shall provide assistance to return the
canoe to shore. A crew may return to shore to right and bail out the canoe but it must do
so within the (10) minute period.
Adverse Conditions:
-In the event of adverse weather conditions, the meet may be cancelled at the discretion

of the Rules Committee. The BIIF championships will then be rescheduled as quickly as
possible. If adverse weather continues and the championship races cannot be held before
the state regatta, the champion will be determined by the average of the two best times
during the regatta season. State qualification will also be determined like wise.
-In the event of heavy wind conditions, the disqualification rule on touching the flags
may be waived for the start only. This is at the discretion of the Rules Committee.
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSIP FORMAT:
Only DI and DII Varsity teams will be involved in the league championship. JV
divisional races will be held but there is no championship for this level.
DI and DII Varsity BIIF Team Championships will be determined by placement at the
BIIF Championships finals.
Format:
-Teams will be placed into (2) heats according to heat assignment format. The top (2)
finishers of each heat will advance to the finals.
-The final (4) spots will be filled with teams with the fastest times from both preliminary
heats.
-The finals will consist of (8) teams. If a qualifying team is scratched from the finals, the
next fastest team will be placed in the finals and lane assignments will be redone
according to lane assignment procedures.
-The top finishers will qualify for the State Championships as determined by the HHSAA
Participation Formula for Tournament Representation.
- Qualifiers for State Championships must declare their intention of participation
immediately after the BIIF league championship. If a team declines, the next highest
finisher will be offered the slot. If that team declines, the league will forfeit the slot.

RULES COMMITTEE AND PROTESTS:
-The Rules Committee shall consist of the following: Race Director, League Coordinator,
and (1) coach from each school. This committee will make decisions on adverse weather
conditions and interpretation of all race rules. The committee’s decision is final.
-The Protest Committee shall consist of the following: Race Director, League
Coordinator, and (1) coach from each school excluding the school filing the protest
and/ or the school in question. The committee’s decision is final.
-Protest: Protest can only be made on rule infractions. No judgment call can be
protested.
-If there is a disagreement with an official’s decision, the coach must submit a written
protest to the Race Director no later than (20) minutes after the completion of the
disputed race. The Protest Committee must resolve all protests within on hour of the last

event of the day.

PROTEST FORM

This form is to be used for any protest filed during the BIIF Canoe Paddling Season. The
form must be filled in the submitted to the Race Director on later than (20) minutes after
the completion of the disputed race.

RULING BEING PROTESTED:

Coach’s Name:__________________________
Print
Coach’s Signature:________________________
School:__________________

OFFICIAL BIIF MEET ENTRY FORM
SCHOOL:_______________________ COACH:__________________
CANOE__________ DIVISION: _______

____JV GIRLS
____JV BOYS
____DII VAR. GIRLS
____DI VAR. GIRLS
____DII VAR. BOYS
____DI VAR. BOYS
____ 1/2 mi Varsity (NS)
____ JV MIXED
___DII VAR. MIXED
____DI VAR. MIXED
CREW MEMBERS: ____________________ Alternates:
____________________ ___________________

____________________ ___________________

____________________ ___________________
____________________ ___________________

____________________
*ONCE ROSTER IS SUBMITTED, THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTION.

BIIF CANOE PADDLING RULES FOR
OPEN-OCEAN, DISTANCE RACES (Approved 6/14/07)
1. Starting:
a. A yellow flag will be displayed from the official boat for a maximum of (5)
minutes as soon as the last boat from the previous race reaches shore.
Then, the yellow flag will be waved for approximately (5) seconds. When
the yellow flag is dropped, the red flag will be raised. Simultaneously
with the dropping of the red flag, the green flag will be raised to signify
the start of the race.
b. Any canoe that is ahead of the starting line when the race starts shall be
penalized (determined by length of race).
c. Any canoe that is crossing in front of the starting flags in an attempt to
reach the starting line at the time the race is to be started shall be
disqualified and removed from the course.
d. If swamping occurs BEFORE an open water start, the start will begin 5-
minutes after the registered swamping.
e. All distance, open-ocean races are usually 3-miles long broken into two,
1.5-mile legs, but can be modified by BIIF Sport Coordinator.
f. Starts will be staggered between varsity and JV races by 5 minutes. 2.
Adverse Weather Conditions
a. Under adverse weather conditions, at the discretion of the race chairperson,
the postponing of a race event or when not to race in open water when
small craft warning is posted, will be determined by the AD/ BIIF Sport
Coordinator in charge and the race official.
b. In case of a postponement due to adverse weather conditions, the race will
NOT be made up.

3. Course
a. There will be no lanes in open ocean races.
b. Start will be between two buoys 300’ apart
c. All turns shall be left turns around the buoy or buoys unless otherwise
designated by the race chairperson. A turn consists of the entire canoe
including the ‘ama, going around the buoy.
d. A canoe that is attempting to pass another shall keep clear at all times and in

no way interfere with the canoe it is attempting to pass. The lead canoe
may not turn into or block a canoe attempting to pass. (The “lead” canoe
is determined by the manu that is in front.)
e. 1 buoy will be placed at the turn.
f. The finish shall be between the two start buoys set 300’ apart. 4.
Miscellaneous
a. Touching of any buoy or buoys during a race is permissible. b. A canoe that
swamps during a race may be bailed out by its crew and proceed in the race.
Outside assistance will result in disqualification except in rendering emergency
aid. A team will have a maximum of ten (10) minutes to upright its canoe and
paddling to resume. Disqualification occurs after ten (10) minutes.
c. All canoes must start and finish with a full crew of six paddlers.

4. Miscellaneous Continued...
d. Prerequisite to participate in canoe paddling include that a paddler can assist in
up righting a capsized boat, thread water for 15 minutes, and swim two
hundred yards using any stroke. This is the responsibility of the member
schools.
e. Postponed races will NOT be made up.
f. All paddlers must be academically eligible in accordance with BIIF rules. g.
Safety of the athlete is always utmost and foremost. All schools are mandated to
make it known or inform the BIIF Sport Coordinator of any illness or condition of
their athletes by asterisking in red next to the athletes name on the race entry lists.
Inhalers are mandated for asthmatics. In the event that a coach is not present, it is
up to the discretion of the race official(s) to decide if the athlete should continue

racing or not.

h. In the event a canoe is hung-up on a buoy (and only in that event), it is
incumbent upon all other crews to take evasive action to avoid a collision. i. No
unofficial boats on or near the races
j. Decals or “badging” on a canoe are allowed as long as they do not promote
illicit drugs, tobacco or alcohol. Any writing on a canoe deemed
offensive or inappropriate by race officials must be removed or covered
up.
5. Protests

Protests will be handled in the manner outlined in the “BIIF Canoe
Paddling Rules for Regatta Races (Revised:6/21/06)”.

6. Infractions
a. Any unsportsmanlike conduct by a team member of the school shall be
grounds for disqualification.
b. Zero Tolerance Rule. Any FLAGRANT use of profanity and or physical
confrontation amongst any crew members, paddlers, and participants, will
result in an Immediate Disqualification.
c. The coach will be notified before public announcement of the following: 1.

Equipment violations; disqualification of crews.
2. Ineligible paddler; disqualification of crews.

d. Protest Process: See “BIIF Canoe Paddling Rules for Regatta Races
(Revised:6/21/06)”.
e. Interference, turning on the wrong side of the buoy, burying the buoy, failing
to complete a full turn, and any other violations called by a safety
official, will result in the adding of minutes to the official race time as
follows:
1. 3 miles ........................ 1 minutes

2. Interference is defined as the necessity for a canoe, properly on its
course, to take evasive action in order to avoid a collision with
another canoe on its course.

f On the turn, the lead canoe has the “right-of-way”. The “lead” canoe is
determined by the manu that is in front.
g. Bumps and slight interference are unavoidable around marks in open ocean
races, individual crews may protest if interference was intentional or
malicious.
h. After one (1) warning, disqualification of a crew will occur if an incident is
flagrant and which does not cause capsizing of “victimized” canoe.