WCKAS Kayak Derby
Event Rules and Regulations
These Rules are intended to provide West Coast Kayak Angler Series (“WCKAS”) participants with tournament related details to enable them to safely and successfully participate in any West Coasty Kayak Angler Series event. Please be sure you read and fully understand these rules prior to competing in these events. Not knowing these on the days of the event is not an excuse for not following them.
Any questions can be directed to the Committee at westcoastyakseries@gmail.com prior to an event. Some of this will be reviewed at On Site Check In / Registration, an equivalent Anglers Meeting or through online or direct email communication before the event; but don’t rely on that for answers to any specific questions you may have.
Specific Rules may apply to different events and will be identified during Check-In or online prior to the event.
Reminder to all
The goal of the West Coast Kayak Angler Series is to create a year long series of kayak angling events on British Columbia’s West Coast (Vancouver Island) to promote the sport and provide a place for all those interested in the sport to share their experiences. Family, fun, friendship and fishing.
We will follow the rules / guidelines established here and continue our focus to educate wherever possible.
CONTENTS:
Registration
Cancellation
Check-in /Captain’s Meeting
Fishing Boundaries
Pre-Fishing
Watercraft
Angling Methods
Provincial and Federal Regulations
Small Vessel Regulations and Safe Boating
Participant Conduct
Photo Submission/Measuring &/or Weighing of Catch
Penalties & General Officiating Guidelines (we hope we don’t have to use these ever)
Format & Scoring
Awards and Prizes
Prize Retention
Appeals and Disputes
Personal Conduct Outside WCKAS Events
Registration, Waivers & Releases
1. Registration
Registration opens on the day the events for that year are announced. Registrations will be taken up to and including the day of the event, however early registration is requested for appropriate planning. For passes, registration will be open up until the first event.
a) Entry Fee – must be paid by the deadline to guarantee your acceptance to that tournament.
b) Payments – Payment can be made in person or via e-transfer to westcoastyakseries@gmail.com.
c) Eligibility – our events are open to all interested parties subject to execution of the WCKAS Waiver and Code of Conduct. WCKAS reserves the right to refuse individuals based on unwelcome or unacceptable conduct relating to any of our events or our social media pages.
2. Cancellation
Participant Cancellation is allowed with full refund if requested 14 days or more prior to the event (no refunds for Seasons Pas or Mini Pass unless extenuating circumstances at the sole discretion of the committee). Participants are encouraged to apply their fee to a future WCKAS event. Since this is a charity-based tournament series.
a) If a Participant wishes to cancel after that period; a $20 administration fee will be charged.
b) Cancellations in the 7 days leading up to the event are not eligible for refund, only deferral.
c) Canceling in the last 48hrs forfeits the entry fee and deferral option.
Organizer Cancellation can occur when the Organizer or WCKAS Committee Member(s) feel the safety of the Participants may be jeopardized by following through with the event. This is generally weather oriented.
Other organizational cancellations at no fault of the Participants could be eligible for refund, but again, Participants are encouraged to apply their fees to a future event.
3. Check-In / Anglers Meetings / Online
All participants are required to check in at the event tent (if available) prior to commencing any fishing activity. Alternatives in the cases where an event tent is not permitted; all preregistered participants will be automatically checked in and only those looking to register the day of must locate or contact one of the committee members. A discussion of any location specific rules not covered in the WCKAS General Rules will be announced in person on site or via electronic means (social media and / or direct communication) within 48 hours of the event. Anglers are expected to have suitable measuring devices and an identification card for the select event.
4. Fishing Boundaries
For lake events the boundary will be the Lake itself unless otherwise specified by the committee (For larger lakes, boundaries will be provided). For saltwater events boundaries that in general will be within 2nm of shore will be provided in advance or at Check-In for all participants. Anyone observed fishing outside these limits will be disqualified from the event. Please be respectful of the WCKAS Boundaries, and those set out by landowners and navigational markers.
5. Pre-Fishing
Pre-fishing for any event is allowed by the WCKAS up to dusk on the evening prior to the event. Anyone found in violation of this will be disqualified from that event without refund.
6. Watercraft
Generally, only watercraft designed to be human powered are permitted, this includes but is not limited to, canoes, SUP boards, row boats, pontoons, float tubes and kayaks. While the use of powered watercraft is allowed, WCKAS reserves the right to rule on eligibility of any modified vessel, powered watercraft or any two-person watercraft. The committee reserves the right to implement specific requirements for motorized kayaks to optimize fairness in accessing the fishing grounds. Regulations permitting powered craft may also be implemented on specific events if deemed necessary by the committee. Additionally, watercraft must be operated by a single occupant unless the purpose is for taking children to fish or otherwise approved by the committee
7. Angling Methods
Only standard rod and reel sportfish angling methods may be practiced at any WCKAS event. Participants must adhere to all provincial and federal regulations and any specific local restrictions that may apply. Be certain to fully understand all British Columbia Freshwater Fisheries regulations for freshwater events and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) regulations for saltwater events prior to start time of the event you plan to fish. A valid British Columbia freshwater fishing license (including any applicable stamps) is required at all times for freshwater events and a Federal Tidal Waters license (including any applicable stamps) from DFO is required for all Saltwater events.
8. Provincial and Federal Regulations
It is 100% the angler’s responsibility to read and understand ALL provincial and federal fishing rules and regulations that may apply for the waterbody they intend to compete in. Participants are also required to adhere to all rules and regulations associated with the facilities used to host our events as well as all Transportation Canada regulations related to small watercraft. Resources are available online.
9. Small Vessel Regulations - Safe Boating Practice & PFDs
It is the participants responsibility to read and fully understand all vessel and safe boating laws and regulations prior to competing in any WCKAS tournaments.
Compliance with Transport Canada’s Small Vessel Regulations and Safe Boating Guide are the responsibility of the participants not the Event or its Organizers.
PFDs are required at all WCKAS events and must be worn at all times. Any angler in violation will be disqualified from that event. All PFDs must be CSA approved and meet the safety guidelines for Canada.
Participants are expected to have all required safety equipment.
10. Participant Conduct
Any form of unethical conduct at an WCKAS event will not be tolerated. Disrespect for the host, host site, fellow angler(s) or their property, slandering or malicious behaviour, report or suspicion of rule violations, and any type of behaviour or talk that may be perceived as undermining the event; all will be treated accordingly. This may involve a warning, disqualification, banning from series or host site, and involvement with local authorities if necessary.
11. Photo Submission / Measuring and / or weighing of Catch
Our series objective is to encourage a Catch, Photograph & Release (CPR) for all events. As per Provincial regulations (freshwater) and Federal Regulations (saltwater) fish may be retained at any event so long as the retained fish are in accordance with the appropriate regulations. In respect of each fishery and the sport we ask that all fish retained are done so for personal consumption.
Generally, our event results will be based on fish length for freshwater events and fish weight or length for saltwater events. The following outlines the requirements.
A. Photo Submission: A clear photo of each fish being entered which shows the whole fish on the measuring board with the nose touching the board stop, increments of measurement visible, and identifier and kayak in view.
a) Measuring Board
i) Must have a clear contrast between the board and the digits/increments to enable judges to quickly verify the length.
ii) Must be sufficient length to accommodate the whole length of the target species.
iii) All non-factory boards must be reported and verified by an WCKAS official before and after judging.
iv) Participants may share boards but not assist other anglers except to photo a fish on a board.
v) Hands may cover the mid section of the fish to fit on board with care taken to safely handle the fish
b) Identifiers
i) Will be issued at the event site or made available in advance electronically.
ii) Must appear in every photo submission.
c) Photo
i) An unmistakable image of the whole fish on the board with no interpretation required to determine the length of the specimen.
ii) Must be caught and submitted within the WCKAS event specifications.
iii) A phone number for submission will be provided or photos may be uploaded to the WCKAS Facebook page.
B. Weight S1ubmission: For those saltwater events where weight is being used as the form of measurement, weight may be handled in one of two manners:
a. Actual weight- fish retained may be brought to one of the committee members or the pilot boat for confirmation of and recording of weight
b. Calculated Weight: For salmon and halibut we will use the ratio tables from the Vancouver Island Tide and Bite Guide (pg 28 for salmon, 29 for halibut). All length measurements and photos must be done in accordance with the requirements of section 11A of these rules. Girth measurements must be photographed or confirmed by a pilot boat.
12. Penalties & General Officiating Guidelines
| ITEM | CONDITION/DISPOSITION | JUDGEMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | Length of fish cannot be determined due to blurry photo. | Score at length where measurement is certain. Allow |
| Photo | Too blurry to make any length determination. | Deny |
| Photo | Manipulation of original photo to a 2nd generation image. | Deny |
| Photo | Evidence that photo was taken outside the specified tournament hours or at a different site. | Deny/Disqualify |
| Photo | Multiple images of same fish on data card: unintentional | Deny |
| Photo | Multiple images of same fish on data card: intentional | Deny/Disqualify |
| Photo | Evidence of Live Bait use in photo. | Disqualify |
| Photo | No evidence of angler’s watercraft in background | Deny |
| Identifier | Not visible in photo. | Deny |
| Identifier | Incorrect for the event. | Deny |
| Weight | Self weighed | Deny |
| Weight | Invalid girth (as determined by committee) | Deny |
13. Format & Scoring
Scoring for aggregate length is determined by total combined length for specified number of target species. This may vary from one event to the next depending on what the target species may be, and the number of eligible fish being scored.
Details on prize categories will be posted online prior to each event and where possible at the event site.
14. Awards & Prizes
Non-monetary prizes will be awarded at each event thirty (30) minutes after the close of fishing or online the following week. Winners will be determined at the event by the Organizing Committee whose decisions will be final. Door prizes will be also provided at each event, but participants must be present to receive unless otherwise determined by the Committee.
15. Prize Retention
Out of respect for our great Sponsors, at no time may any of these prizes be advertised for sale on any British Columbia fishing forums or related social media pages (if looking to sell your prized please do so privately). Failure to follow these guidelines will result in possible ban from future events or loss of qualification for series ending prizes. For the kayak prizes awarded at WCKAS year end tournament it is a requirement that the kayak be retained by the individual winners for a minimum period of one year before being sold, unless otherwise agreed by the committee.
16. Appeals and Disputes
Participants who feel they can provide evidence that may dispute a judgement or catch record are encouraged to disclose this to a committee member. The appeal will be heard, and a judgement rendered after those committee members available at the event have time to evaluate the claim. The WCKAS committee has the right to make this judgement as an individual or together. All judgements at this point are final.
17. Personal Conduct Outside WCKAS Events
Any activity or comments that may be deemed as inflammatory and detrimental to the WCKAS, or negatively reflect our; Sponsors, participants, organizers, and host sites will be dealt with accordingly. This may include but not limited to:
a) Social Media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other forms.
b) Online fishing and kayak fishing forums.
c) Statements made in public that are verifiable.
18. Registration, Waivers and Releases
All three of the following forms MUST be completed and submitted prior to participation to avoid ineligibility.
a) Registration Form (Online)
b) Liability Waiver
c) Code of Conduct