FAQ

Q: James, what the hell is Raingutter Regatta, and why is it ultimate?

A: A Raingutter Regatta is a two-lane sailboat race; it is analogous to the Cub Scout event of Pinewood Derby, but rather than making a wooden car that races down a track, you shape and paint a model sailboat. The boats are small, about ten inches in length, and the lanes are made up of rain gutters filled with water. The event is ultimate because we feel that if Frisbee players can use Ultimate in their sport’s title, then its use is certainly demanded by a regatta.

Q: I have an alcohol dependency problem, as I hear you do as well. How does that work out?

A: Part of your entry fee will provide you with access to many beers. You are expected to start enjoying beverages immediately upon morning check-in at the event, and continue to enjoy beverages throughout the duration of the event.

Q: What is this “Grapeshot Challenge” listed in the Constitution?

A: The Grapeshot Challenge (GC) is a limited-participation sub-event that will be taking place between URR stages. The premise is as follows: shotgun a beer, propel your ship, shotgun another beer and blow your ship back down again. Getting “seasick” is an automatic DQ. You will have an option to enter in the GC at the time of morning check-in.

Q: I’m a bit confused about how this bracket tournament thing works.

A: It is harder to type it out in grammatically correct sentences than it is to draw a diagram. It will all make sense when you see the bracket on Regatta Day.

Q: What can I expect to get out of this event?

A: Besides camaraderie, brotherhood (or sisterhood, if you have the correct chromosomes), a lovely day spent in the company of friends, and the feel of the ocean breeze across your face? Winners get a trophy, everyone gets boozed up, maybe people get door prizes.

Q: Sometimes I get hungry. Should I bring my own food?

A: We will have summer grilling basics available (burgers, dogs, chips, etc). Feel free to bring your own food if you see fit.

URR constitution

ULTIMATE RAINGUTTER REGATTA OFFICIAL CONSTITUTION

I. General Rules and Regulations

A. Debauchery and Participation

1. All ship captains agree to engage in scallywagery for the duration of the contest (beginning with registration and ending with the awarding of trophies). Eg, no not drinking.

2. Honesty, fair-play, and magnanimous seamanship is demanded of all Captains at all times. By entering the event and joining the Circle of Captains, participants agree grant winner/loser discretion to the Circle of Captains as a whole. Because of the esteem maintained between Captains, cheer and respect is expected from all participants regarding any decision made by the Circle.

3. Although rations of grog will be provided for captains, bringing stows for personal consumption is allowed.

B. Materials and Fabrication

1. Fabrication of vessels must take place only at the time and place of the official event, using only materials provided.

2. Absolutely no prefabrication of vessels is allowed. All fabrication must take place during the allotted time.

3. All Captains shall be granted equal access to the following: official Cub Scout Raingutter Regatta boat kit, 50 grit sandpaper, 100 grit sandpaper, primer, final-coat paint, glue, and masking tape.

4. Captains will be allowed to float-test boats before competition only; no running of the Straits of Beerbralter is allowed other than during regulation competition.

C. Rules of Engagement

1. The Ultimate Raingutter Regatta will be executed in a double-elimination

tournament bracket fashion. All Captains will be entered into the first round

of play, with victors advancing into the second round. Winners of the second

round will automatically be placed in the final round. Round 1 losers will race against each other in the first subset of the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), and will face Round 2 losers in the second LCQ subset. Second LCQ subset winners will then be placed into the final round.

2. The Ultimate Raingutter Regatta Main Event will consist of two rounds.

a. URRME contestants will be seeded based on current tournament win/loss record.

b. The first URRME round will be played as standard bracket tournament play. Captains will face corresponding seeds (eg, highest seed will begin play against lowest seed, etc)

c. The second round will be round-robin play within opposing brackets, with the two captains holding the best round-robin score competing for Lord of the Sea honors, and second-scoring pair of captains competing for third and fourth place honors.

D. Registration

1. All Captains must complete mail-in registration prior to arrival at event.

2. URR Admirals will collect registration fees based on annual projected cost.

3. Proceeds raised from registration will be directed, in their entirety, back into the

event. Grog, lunch, boat kits, rain gutters, and other supplies will be acquired via Captain’s entry fees.

II. Grapeshot Challenge

A. Format

1. GC will proceed with a limited number of participants in tournament bracket,

single-elimination format.

2. GC consists of shot-gunning one beer, propelling your ship down a Strait of

Beerbralter, and shot-gunning a second beer.

3. First mates of GC contestants (to be determined by competing GC Captains

during check-in) will mind the second to-be-shot-gunned beer during boat

propulsion.

4. All shot-gunning holes will be approved by the Grapeshot Commissioner

before runs.

5. Sea-sickness during or within thirty seconds after finishing second shotgun

will result in immediate GC disqualification.

III. Schedule & Event Location

A. Annual location will be chosen at the discretion of the Admirals, and will be noted on mail-in registration inforrmation.

B. Official Schedule

10 am - All hands (check-in)

10:30 - Briefing

11:00 - Ship-shape

12:30 - Final Paint (all stop shaping)

1:00 pm - Christening & Anchors Away

1:00 - 3:00 Galley open

5:00 - Grapeshot Challenge

6:00 - Ultimate Raingutter Regatta Main Event

7:30 - Recognition of Seamanship & Lord of the Sea honors bestowed.