introduction
The inherent honesty and integrity of all participants is respected in Somersault events. The primary responsibility for fair and safe conduct in an event lies with the participants - not with the race organizers or officials. 

Somersault events are organized for the participants, and ultimately it is the participants who decide how they will conduct themselves during the competition. It is each participant's responsibility to know and to adhere to Somersault event rules. Please take the time to become familiar with them. 

Somersault event rules exist for two basic reasons. The first is to ensure the safety of each and every participant.  The second is to ensure that the competition is a fair one for all. 

The rules represent the set of conditions that have been decided on by our insurers, the sport, common sense, and by past participants.  To participate in a Somersault event, each participant must agree to follow the rules set out here and/or in the Triathlon Canada rulebook. The TRICAN rulebook can be found under "Technical" at www.triathloncanada.com. In the case of a difference between Somersault Rules and those of TRICAN, Somersault Rules prevail.
 

Anyone disobeying the rules of the event is putting someone at risk, or is gaining an unfair advantage - neither of which is acceptable.  Where the rules are infringed, penalties will be awarded.  The primary responsibility for rule adherence however, lies with the participants. 

When witnessing a rule violation by another participant, request that it stop. If that fails, report it to a race official.

important somersault triathlon & duathlon event rules
The Race Course:
a) Competitors must follow the prescribed race course routes in all segments of the race (swim, cycle, run, and transition zone), as set out by Somersault.

b) Competitors are solely responsible to know and to stay on the race course routes.

Championchip Timing Bracelet
Each participant must pick up a Championchip Timing Bracelet before the race and must wear it around the ankle during the race.

Race Instructions:
a) Competitors are solely responsible for knowing and understanding all the rules and procedures for the race as set out by Somersault.

b) Competitors must obey the instructions of race officials during the competition.

Code of Conduct:
Competitors must at all times obey the rules of the event as described by the race organizer and be courteous and respectful of other competitors, officials, volunteers, spectators, organizers and members of the public.

Ipods, MP3s, Walkmans and Headphones
We do not allow the use or wearing of Ipods, MP3s, Walkmans, or head phones during the cycling portion of Somersault Triathlons or Duathlons. Wearing one will result in disqualification.

We also do not encourage the wearing of Ipods, MP3s, Walkmans or Headphones, etc, during the run portion of Somersault events. These devices may prevent you from hearing instructions from marshals, hearing other participants or vehicles, and may put you at risk.

We do know however that many of you wish to wear these devices during running events, so we do allow you to wear them during the run, but advise you that you do so at your own risk.

Bicycle Helmets: 
a) Bicycle helmets are compulsory for all cyclists. The helment must be CSA, or equivalent to CSA, approved,

b) Helmets must be on and chin straps must be fastened before a competitor may remove the bike from the bike rack. It must remain on and fastened until the bike is placed back on the same bike rack after the cycle.

Bicycle Transition Zone:
a) Bicycles must be walked/run to, from and in the transition zone.

b) Bicycles must be mounted and dismounted only at the "Mount - Dismount Line" outside the transition zone under the direction of a race official.

Assistance:
a) Competitors may receive assistance during the race or in the transition zone, when it is administered by medical staff or race officials, or at other times from spectators or friends when it is obviously required by the participant.

Cycling:
a) Competitors must cycle alone and unaided by other cyclists or motor vehicles. Rules defining drafting and the accepted procedures for avoiding drafting can be found in "Drafting Rules and Procedures " section below.

Wetsuits

Wetsuits are allowed at all Somersault Triathlon events.

Apparel:
a) Competitors must have their torsos covered during the bike and the run portions of the event.

b) Competitors should wear their bib numbers on the back of their jersey during the cycle and must wear them on the front during the run. Bib numbers must be visible at all times.

c) Competitors must wear a swim cap during the swim (except for the Early Bird pool swim). It can be the one provided by Somersault, or your own. The swim cap must be marked with the competitor's bib number.

d) Competitors must ensure that their swim cap and their bodies are marked with their bib number. A body marking model and markers are provided by Somersault in the Transition Zone to allow competitors to mark themselves properly.

e) Competitors may not be publicly nude at any time during the competition.

Other Rules:
There are many other rules that govern the competition. These are covered under the rules of the sport as defined by TRICAN. We generally adhere to these rules except where they may differ from our own, above. A copy of these rules can be viewed by going to www.triathlonontario.com.

Consequences of Breaking the Rules:
The consequence of breaking the above and other rules of competition will depend on the severity of the infraction, and will be entirely at the discretion of Somersault and its race officials.

Jury of Appeal:
Competitors who feel they have not been treated fairly according to the rules of the competition, or who may wish to lodge a protest against another competitor, must submit a written appeal, to the Race Director before the awards presentations. A Jury of  Appeal will be appointed by Somersault to hear the protest /appeal. The Jury will make the final decision on all appeals or protests.

drafting rules and procedures
Drafting is against the rules in all Somersault events. Refer to Section E.2 in the TRICAN rulebook for a detailed description of the drafting rules and procedures.

Many participants do not understand what drafting is.  This section has been added to provide everyone with the general information they need to identify drafting and to avoid it. Drafting officials will be on motorcycles on the bicycle courses at all Somersault events. 

In many Somersault races, there are too many cycling participants to allow everyone to avoid drafting situations. We recognize this facat and officials will be not unnecessarily disqualify participants in such situaitons.

The rules below are guidelines. Somersault officials are experienced in determinng whether an advantage is being gained or not and whether it is purposeful or not. They will make decisions on that basis and their instructions must be obeyed, or disqualification will result.

Drafting Definition: