Overview
The next North Carolina Challenge is
Tuesday, June 15, 2021. There is a mandatory
equipment inspection and captains meeting the day before on Monday, June 14, 2021. Refer to the schedule
for time/date specifics.
NCC cost is $245.00
for the captain and $245.00 for
a crew member if any.
Billing starts
Monday, April 12, 2021.
Registration ends
Friday, May 14, 2021
at noon.
Payment deadline is
Friday, May 14, 2021
at noon.
Due to the exteme commitment for this challenge late registration and/or late payments
will not be allowed. We recommend that you commit to this challenge early so you have
plenty of time for planning, training, and preparation. Pay early in the payment
cycle. You can get a full refund up until
Friday, May 14, 2021
at noon. No refunds after that date and time.
All WaterTribe events are dangerous events as defined by law and common sense. You
are responsible for your own safety. You must read and understand
the WaterTribe
Rules and Warnings
before you register for this event. Although the warnings read
specific to Florida, they all apply to the NC environment and must be read and understood
for this event.
The NCC distance is roughly 96 miles depending on your course selection. As of 2020, the course for this challenge has been changed.
We are starting and finishing on the water just off of Oriental on the Neuse River.
Special Note - Ultra Marathon Pace
Please take a special look at the deadlines for this event. There is an overall maximum time limit of approximately 3-4 days.
The North Carolina Challenge is intended to be done at an Ultra Marathon pace. We are going to have two award ceremonies.
The first will be for "fast-movers" on Saturday. The second will be a brunch on Sunday for those taking a bit longer.
As always, we will make allowances for foul weather. However, due to personal schedules, work, and travel commitments like reservations, Race Managers and/or CheckPoint Captains may and most likely will depart no later than noon on Sunday. You have plenty of time to finish, but you have to keep moving.
NCC2020 Tracking Map
The Tracking Map has been updated to show the new course. Please note the three special landing points for CP2.
For the start and finish Lat/Lons, please go to the Start/Finish tab.
For CheckPoint Lat/Lons, please go to the individual tabs.
The only route requirements are that the race be run counter-clockwise, through
the Harlowe Canal, with a stop at the checkpoints at Beaufort and Cedar Island. All
other navigational decisions are up to each challenger. The course will have participants
experiencing parts of North Carolina’s Neuse River, Newport River, Taylor’s Creek,
Back Sound, Core Sound, Pamlico Sound and many of the Bays in “down eastern” North
Carolina.
When waypoints are connected on the tracking map, you must follow that course as shown. Typically they are there to
force a filter. The waypoints are shown as general guidelines for the course. They are not intended for navigation.
When waypoints are shown but not connected to the route, they are informational or a specific landing at a checkpoint
(as used for CP2).
The Harlowe canal is required. Options will be discussed at the captains meeting if there are blockages in the canal.
The Thorofare is optional and can be used if you plan to use the Landing C at for CP2 on Cedar Island.
Be careful with your course selection. There are restricted areas along the route. You must mark these areas on your
charts and be well aware of their location and rules. Some of these areas are used for bombing, shelling, and
strafing practice. Be sure to chart a course that leaves plenty of room for these areas.
The NCC is run as an unsupported, expedition-style adventure race for
kayaks, canoes and small boats. Your safety and well being are completely up to
you. You should be an expert kayaker and/or sailor before you
consider this challenge. Although this event is not an open ocean race, the
location is coastal, subject to the same weather patterns and conditions one finds
beyond the narrow barrier islands and impacting the shallow sounds.
Unsupported means that there are no safety boats or support crews to help you during
the race. You are not allowed to have a support crew follow you or meet you during
the race. It is okay to have family or friends meet you at the official checkpoint,
but they cannot provide anything other than emotional support. See the official
WaterTribe Rules for more details.
Expedition-style means that you should carry the same type of equipment and supplies
that you would carry on a major expedition. Camping equipment, food, water, safety,
communication means, etc. is required. Please read the WaterTribe Challenge Equipment
List (in the Rules PDF), which details required equipment for a Challenge. Please choose your equipment needs carefully. Everyone must also carry all safety
equipment as specified by the Coast Guard, local regulations and common sense.
You must wear a well equiped lifejacket at all times while on the water - see the blog post by SOS. A link is in the list above.
In addition, all boats in this challenge are required to carry a SPOT
and/or Garmin inReach device
for tracking your adventure. Please read the instructions for Spot Setup and Usage or for Garmin inReach Setup and Usage
for WaterTribe events.
Although this is called a race, many participants are more interested in cruising and adventure.
Whether you are a cruiser or racer is up to you; time allows for both. Just getting
to the starting line is a major accomplishment, and many starters will not finish.
The 2009 NCC finishers made up only 53% of the starters.
An award ceremony and dinner will take place for the "fast movers" on Saturday evening. Another award brunch will be held on Sunday at at 10:00 or 10:30, if necessary, for those who are a bit slower.
There are lots of great inns and motels in and around Oriental. It is up to you to pick and make your own reservations.
Town Dock
is a great resource for everything about Oriental including weather.
Weather
Weather and sea conditions for Oriental, Neuse River, and Pamlico Sound can be found in this great web site:
Town Dock
Look in the INSIDE TOWNDOCK section on the right side of the home page for weather links, ferry schedules, etc.
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