Competition Committee approves Directive for collision rule

In response to members concerns about collisions on the race course, the Competition Committee has approved the following Competition Directive (2026-1), effective May 1, 2026. This will be in effect for tomorrow's Presidents Cup in Ellensburg, and through the season.

One point has been added to the club's current collision rules, stating "A boat that is disqualified from a heat per this rule must start as a trailer boat five seconds behind the field in that boat's next heat. This trailer start penalty applies and must be served before the boat may return to the front line regardless if the penalized boat’s next heat will occur at the current race or at a future race."

Per the Competition Committee's Charter, the committee has the authority to create Directives like this one to make adjustments to the rules during the season if situations like this present themselves. It's in the interest of keeping racing fair and safe, which is part of the club's core values.

Competition Directives are effective immediately upon their approval, and will remain in force through the end of the current season. They are also automatically added to the list of proposed rule changes during the offseason rules review process, for members to vote on them.

This makes history for the club as the first-ever Competition Directive. ​