These were the Rules & Regulations and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the 2019 Great Valley Regatta.
REGATTA RULES AND REGULATIONS 2019
1.) EVERYONE HAVE YOUR OVER 21 ID ON YOU! Main registrants will still be allowed to pick up their entire groups packets (including camping and Regatta wristbands, boat tags and car tags). Once these are distributed to the group, it will then be the individual participants responsibility, to put their camping and Regatta wristband on their arm and proceed to an ID BOOTH to retrieve their "Over 21" wristband and complimentary mug. DON'T GO TO THE BOOTH WITHOUT YOUR CAMPING AND REGATTA WRISTBANDS ON YOUR ARM!!! The tag that say's "PUT ON BOAT' needs to be on your boat, not on your wrist! - We hate to admit it, but we all know that there are going to be people that actually do this, so please make sure it's not someone in YOUR group :)
2.) MAKE SURE YOU ONLY BRING REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS! No brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, cousins twice removed, bar buddies, etc. will be allowed to "visit" you in the camping areas. This is not a new rule, but a commonly broken old one. Our rules are in place to protect our paid participants and we can't have the general public wandering around in restricted areas.
3.) ABSOLUTELY NO ATV'S allowed in the campgrounds or at any of the pit stops! Respect the private land owners wishes if you would like to see the Regatta continue! They don't HAVE to allow us to keep using their property and just as this has been the reason for other similar events to shut down, we don't want the same to happen to us.
4.) TRANSFERS AND REFUNDS ARE NOT ALLOWED! You can not "substitute" participants that are not registered into the Regatta. All the information we have on file needs to match the people that you registered. If people that are not registered are caught in the campgrounds they will be charged with trespassing just as though they walked in off the street. This is an insurance liability and there is nothing we can do about it.
5.) ALL QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS NEED TO BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE FIRE COMPANY'S EMAIL: [email protected]
The preferred method of contact is email because it is checked on an hourly basis by an officer. Calling the Company's land line is most likely going to net you misinformation and a message left on the answering machine is going to go unchecked and most likely not be returned. If you need to speak with us simply email us.
6.) THE CANOE DROP OFF AREA NEAR THE KLAWITTER (OVERFLOW) CAMPGROUND EXIT WILL BE MANNED WITH VOLUNTEERS FOR 2 HOURS AFTER ALL BOATS AND PARTICIPANTS HAVE BEEN RETURNED FROM THE LAST PIT STOP. After this time (approximately 11:30PM) boats will no longer be monitored. Before your canoe trip on Saturday please make arrangements with a responsible person in your party to retrieve all water crafts and belongings from the drop off areato prevent misplaced and stolen items. The fire company and volunteers are not responsible for any loss incurred from this area.
* Participants need to be vigilant in staying sober enough to tell the difference between their boat and someone else's. Often there is a sober person left with a beat up green Pelican because someone that isn't so sober just walked away with a nice green Pelican.
*We give all participants a matching boat sticker and plastic band to put on their boat. They also have their boat number written on their camping band that's attached to their wrist. If you're numbers don't match then there isn't much we can do to help you out. MAKE SURE ALL YOUR NUMBERS MATCH when applying boat tags and putting on wristbands!
*The number of "party crashers" gets higher and higher every year because we simply cannot expand any further and all creeks are public waterways. Look out for one another. If you see someone with NO WRISTBANDS walking off with a BOAT THAT HAS TAGS notify a staff member or sheriff's deputy. Two years ago someone actually stole OUR FIREMAN'S CANOE that the sweepers were using. Our name is stenciled on it and we recovered it at the next pit stop (with all personal possessions stolen of course) but there are idiots out there that simply don't care so be aware of them.
* Always keep your boat in sight if possible at the stops and it's best to take your paddles with you anytime you get out to walk around.
*Anyone that has ever made it to the end understands that we can move 100's of people from the end back to the campgrounds at a time on buses, yet we can only move about 10-15 boats per truck. We are doing the best we can. With your help and vigilance, we can do better.
7.) GENERAL RULES FOR EVERY YEAR!
We don't have very many so following the few that we do shouldn't be an issue:
1.) All registrants must be 21 years of age or older.
2.) Only registered participants that paid to camp are allowed in the camping areas.
3.) No burning of large items: Pallets, furniture, tires etc. please burn fire wood only.
4.) No pets
5.) No glass bottles. Please bring cans or plastic.
6.) No loud music after 11PM.
7.) Only the issued Plastic Regatta Cups will be filled at Pit Stops.
9.) All issued wristband, car tags and boat tags must be used for their rightful purpose and tampering with them will result in expulsion.
8.) Anyone arrested for a Violent crime or resisting arrest will be removed from this year’s Regatta permanently and banned from any further Regatta's.
The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Department will provide night Security and will operate with a ZERO TOLERANCE policy in regard to all the above rules.
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A FUN FILLED, SAFE, REGATTA WEEKEND! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND WE WILL SEE YOU IN MAY!!!
SINCERELY,
THE GREAT VALLEY VOL. FIRE CO.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register?
You must register online and it’s on a first come, first serve basis. Once registrations are sold out the website will automatically shut off.
What information do I need to start the registration process?
You will need a list of all the participants in your group and will need to include their names, addresses and phone numbers. If you want to camp together you need to register your entire group together at the same time. You will need to know how many boats you are bringing and who will be in each boat. You can pick from canoe (1-3 people) , kayak (1 person) or “other” (1+ persons). If you have a 2 person kayak select canoe.
How much does it cost this year?
Registration this year will be $50 per person and $50 for a campsite that fits up to, but no more than 4 people and 2 vehicles.
What forms of payment are accepted?
Our registration process accepts payment through PayPal and you may use a valid credit card, PayPal account or bank account.
What is the timeline of events?
Registration opens at noon on Friday and goes until 10:30PM. You may set up camp Friday right after you check in. All boats should be on the creek by 10:30AM on Saturday. The creek trip can take as long as you like. There are beverages available at all pit stops but there is no food offered and packing something to eat is recommended. All boats and participants are shuttled back to the campgrounds at the end of the trip. A free chicken or beef dinner is available at the Fire Hall upon your return.
Once boats are dropped off at the campground how do they get to our campsites?
You must retrieve your crafts from the boat drop off area that is located across the street from the Klawitter Road campgrounds. Be prepared to show them your wristband to prevent boat theft and this area will be manned by volunteers until approximately 10:30PM on Saturday.
Can I get on a Waiting List?
The regatta is sold out can I get on a waiting list or will you have more openings? No. Once it is sold out we will not under any circumstances accept more participants. Try to get your registration in next year at the beginning of February.
Replace People?
Some of my group backed out on me so can I bring someone else in their place? No. Only the people in your original registration are allowed to attend and participate so please double check the dates and plan accordingly.
Non-Registered Visitor Wants to Stay
I have friends that registered but I didn’t and my friends said I can stay with them is that okay?
No. Once registration is closed there is no more room and camping is for participants only.
What types of facilities are available in the campgrounds?
There are port-a-potty’s set up for your convenience in and around the campgrounds as well as at the pit stops.
What if I still have additional questions?
Email [email protected] DO NOT CALL THE FIRE COMPANY.