Equipment and Safety

EVENT PROGRAM: Here is the official Event Program for the 2023 Eagle Bay Epic. This fully explains the event with confirmed schedule, course details, transition areas and more. All event attendees are strongly encouraged to read it before the event. READ IT HERE.

Compulsory Equipment List – HERE

Surf Ski Hire

There are a range of outlets providing good quality rental surf skis that are appropriate for the event. All interstate competitors are advised that it is NOT AS HARD AS YOU THINK to find a surf ski and get it down to Eagle Bay and we can easily help arrange rental and transport for you.

Recommended location to rent / buy surf skis and water sports equipment:

Oceanpaddler will have a number of skis available for hire at this event. We will have the full range from beginner through to elite craft. The cost to hire the boats and transport to Dunsborough will be $250. We also have paddles and PFDs for hire and sale.

Check out the range at www.oceanpaddler.com

Compulsory Equipment

The following requirements and equipment apply to the various legs of the Eagle Bay Epic course and constitute part of the event rules:

What we supply at Registration (Race Kits)

Numbered race bib – your relay baton

The numbered race bib will be provided to individuals and the team mountain biker. The bib is your relay baton and must be worn as the outermost garment all the way around the entire course with each team member.

Timing band

All individuals and the team mountain biker will be given a timing band at registration to place around your ankle (please do not put it anywhere else, eg. in a backpack or on your bike handle bars).

This timing band (along with the race bib) are the relay baton for teams, so you MUST transfer it from one team mate to the next, inside each TA.

Wrist bands

ALL Eagle Bay Epic competitors must wear the supplied wrist band which will be attached by race officials at registration. Without this you will NOT be allowed inside the transition areas (TAs) and you will NOT be allowed to remove equipment from TAs.

You will also receive two wrist bands for your support crew. Please ensure that they wear them as no one without a wrist band will be permitted into any transition area.

Kayak stickers and collection tokens

All individuals and team paddlers will receive 1 kayak sticker to be placed on the front of your kayak, ideally on the right hand side of your boat. This sticker also has your numbered kayak collection token as a tear off strip so please ensure you remove this token before you race – and use it to collect your kayak after the race.

Bike number plate and collection tokens

All individuals and team mountain bikers will receive a number plate to go onto the handlebars of your bike.

Swim cap

Eagle Bay Epic branded swim cap – these high quality swim caps must be worn by all swimmers during the swim leg.

What YOU supply – Compulsory Equipment

Failure to carry any listed item will result in a 30 minute penalty per item found to be missing.

Compulsory PADDLING equipment:

  • PFD (Personal Flotation Device) must be Type 2 or Type 3 must be worn for the entire paddle leg.
  • Splash cover/spray skirt for people using a sit-in kayak
  • Pump or baler must be carried in all sea-kayaks or enclosed craft
  • A marine rated orange smoke flare is compulsory for the paddle leg. This must be carried on your person, not stowed in your boat.

Compulsory RUN equipment:

  • First aid kit – It must comprise a minimum of: 2 x crepe bandages, 6 x wound closure strips, 1 x triangular bandage, 2 x non stick wound dressing pads and a pair of surgical gloves. These are available for sale at the race registration for $15 or on the Merchandise page pre-event.

Recommended Run Equipment: Water / hydration drink and food.

Compulsory MOUNTAIN BIKE equipment:

  • First aid kit – we suggest this comprises: 2 x crepe bandages, 6 x wound closure strips, 1 x triangular bandage, 2 x non stick wound dressing pads and a pair of surgical gloves. These are available for sale at the race registration or on the Merchandise page pre-event.
  • Certified Bike Helmet to AUS/NZ/US standard
  • Bike number plate fixed to handle bars of the bike (provided at registration)

Recommended Mountain Bike Equipment: Tools, pump, tube, etc to effect own repairs

Race Requirements

The following requirements apply to the various legs of the Leeuwin Long Course and Naturaliste Short Course and constitute part of the event rules:

RUN requirements

  • The course and all intersections will be marked with surveys tape and arrows, but you can still get lost if you don’t pay attention. Keep your eye out for trail markers at all times.
  • Normal road rules apply at all times. Any participant who disobeys road rules is subject to disqualification.
  • No assistance from team mates or support crews is allowed during the run leg.
  • The run course is not closed to the public and you may encounter cars, walkers and other users… Please be respectful of other users of the tracks and trails.
  • It is compulsory for all runners to carry a First Aid Kit.
  • Your race bib must be worn as the outermost garment at all times (including over the top of hydration systems/backpacks)
  • There will be no drink stations along the run courses

Safety steps in case of an emergency or difficulty on Run Legs:

  • If you become injured and require assistance, stop moving and stay where you are. Tell the competitors that pass you to alert the next race marshal and advise them of your location.
  • If you become lost, backtrack along the trail you followed to return to the marked course.

SWIM requirements

  • All swimmers must wear the event branded swim caps provided at registration
  • Swimmers may use a PFD (life-jacket) and/or snorkel and mask if you are a weak swimmer.
  • Hand paddles, flippers and other propulsion devices are NOT permitted.
  • You are permitted to rest on a rescue craft if required without penalty.
  • Lycra race bib MUST be worn over your wetsuit and MUST NOT be removed until inside the Transition Area. This applies to teams and individuals.

Safety actions in case of an emergency or difficulty on the swim leg:

  • Raise one arm if assistance is required and call for help. There will be numerous jet skis patrolling the swim leg.
  • If you hear a continuous siren, horn or whistle, please exit the water as soon as practicable.

PADDLE requirements

  • An orange smoke flare is compulsory and must be worn on all paddlers. A limited number of flares will be for sale at registration. 
  • Use of any craft that is LESS THAN 3m in length is FORBIDDEN.
  • For kayakers using an enclosed cockpit style of craft, spray skirts MUST be worn and fastened prior to leaving the beach.
  • Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) MUST be worn by all competitors. PFDs must be either a type 2 or type 3. No inflatable PFDs of any sort will be accepted.  The PFD must be worn for the entire paddle leg.
  • The race bib must be worn OVER the PFD. When paddlers land at the TA at the end of the paddle leg, they must carry their boats to the kayak storage area as directed by marshals. They cannot receive any assistance from team mates or support crews for this.
  • Paddlers cannot receive any assistance in forward progression by another kayak or vessel during the paddle leg – with the exception of designated water safety vessels.
  • There will be numerous water safety craft. They can assist you, if required, to get back into your boat without penalty.
  • A paddle leg may be altered depending on weather conditions with any changes communicated at the appropriate competitor briefing or on the race notice board.

Safety actions in case of an emergency and difficulty for all Paddle legs:

  • If assistance is required by water safety personnel, raise your paddle and wave it to attract attention and tell other competitors you need assistance and to pass the message on. If you get into trouble at sea, ALWAYS stay with your boat until water safety personnel arrive.
  • If you hear a continuous siren, horn or whistle, please exit the water as soon as practicable.

MTB requirements

  • The course and all intersections will be marked with surveyor’s tape and arrows but you can still get lost if you don’t pay attention. Keep your eye out for trail markers at all times.
  • Normal road rules apply at all times. Any participant who disobeys road rules is subject to disqualification.
  • The MTB course is not closed to the public and you may encounter cars, walkers and other users… Please be respectful of other users of the tracks and trails.
  • No assistance from team mates or support crews is allowed during the MTB leg.
  • It is compulsory for all riders to carry a First Aid Kit
  • We recommend that all riders carry spares, including pump, tube, tyre levers, chain breaker, and multi-tool, as well as water or hydration fluid.
  • Your race bib must be worn as the outermost garment at all times (including over the top of hydration systems/backpacks)
  • All riders must walk bikes through the transition area and helmets must be fastened before exiting the TA.
  • There will be no drink stations on the MTB courses.

Safety actions in case of an emergency or difficulty on MTB legs:

  • If you become injured and require assistance, stop moving and stay where you are, tell the competitors that pass you to alert the next race marshal and advise them of your location.
  • If you become lost: backtrack along the trail you followed to return to the marked course.
  • If your bike breaks beyond repair, you are entitled to walk/jog your bike over the rest of the course to the transition area.

TEAM RUN requirements

Teams in the Eagle Bay Epic Adventure race run together in the final section to the finish line (approx 200m-400m).

Due to potential delays in getting from Vincent St TA to the finish the final run leg does not have to be completed by a FULL team to remain ranked. 

Tarkine shoes – official footwear of the event

Tarkine take responsibility for the life-cycle of running footwear by being 100% Eco Friendly and 50% more durable. Tested on elite runners, suitable for anyone who cares about the planet, comfort and style.

Tarkine’s values reflect those of minimalistic runners, who believe in the power of running and the need to protect what wilderness we have left. Tarkine pledge to take responsibility for the products they manufacture, and in doing so, hopes that other brands will follow. Vital to this process, are the following:

  • Working towards a carbon neutral business model.
  • Using ethical and sustainable manufacturing processes.
  • Using ethical, sustainable and eco-friendly materials.
  • Donating 2% of every sale to help save threatened ecosystems. 1% is not enough. 0% is the standard. 
  • Working towards a worldwide recycled program.

We can always improve the way we do things by minimalizing our creation of microplastics by using better and better recycling practices. The running shoe industry has an awful environmental record. It’s Tarkine’s goal to ignore the way things are usually done, to set our own path.

#runthefuture www.Tarkine.com

Kids Adventure – Equipment

Compulsory equipment for the entire course:

  • Shoes
  • Your Number Plate – collected at registration

Recommended equipment:

  • Close fitting clothing that can also get wet (bike shorts, board shorts etc)
  • Sun hat.