There are always a lot of questions in the run up to an ATBA-UK competition, questions about entering an event, what happens at an event, and the rules. Hopefully this information will help answer those questions.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Entering an Event
ATBA-UK competitions are ‘open competitions’. This means that entry is available to anyone who is able to ride a mountainboard safely. We strongly recommend that anyone entering an ATBA-UK event become a member of the ATBA-UK as they will receive half-price competition entry along with other benefits.
It will cost an ATBA-UK member £10 to register for a single discipline at an ATBA-UK event, and £20 to enter both boardercross & freestyle at an event. Entrants who are not members of the ATBA-UK will have to pay an additional £10 for one discipline and £20 for both disciplines.
We recommend that all riders take out Personal Accident and Liability Insurance, for competitions which can be bought from Sports Cover Direct.
Event Entry Forms
Riders can register for ATBA-UK events by downloading the Event Entry Form (available soon). It should be completed and brought to the competitions with you.
Registration
Riders can register in advance by post (and pay by cheque or at the event) or online (and pay at the event). Registration at the events is open until 9am on the day of the competition, so 9am Saturday for Boardercross and 9am Sunday for Freestyle.
Refunds
Payments will not be refunded for any reason because of the fixed costs involved in organising these events. The ATBA-UK committee and events crew will always turn up to events regardless of forecast weather conditions or other circumstances. Any decision to cancel a competition will only be made on site on the day, and only for Health and Safety reasons in the best interest of the competitors after proper consultation with Riders Representatives.
Media Disclaimer
In entering the events you are granting the ATBA-UK Ltd the right to use any video or photographic image for promotional purposes and consent to the storage of any image for future use.
Participation Disclaimer
This document, as part of the Competition entry form, has legal status and indicates informed consent to take part in an activity or event. It can therefore only be signed by someone who is over the age of 18 . Younger riders who come to events without parents or legal guardians being present must bring a suitable, signed letter which satisfies this requirement. Another adult, including a team manager, cannot sign on behalf of a parent or guardian unless they have written authorisation to do so. Unfortunately, any rider under 18 and who does not have a legitimate disclaimer, will not be permitted to take part in the event. A refund will not be given to a rider who is later found not to meet this requirement and who is then disqualified.
Before Events
The weekdays before an event including the Friday are not part of the ATBA-UK events and centres are open for normal business. Riders should pay for all charges for riding and camping during this time in order to meet the cost of opening the centre. ATBA-UK members will often be charged at a lower, discounted rate and should remember to bring their membership cards.
Personal Insurance
Although there are first aiders on site all riders are strongly advised to hold personal accident and injury indemnity insurance to cover possible loss of income and a range of other eventualities.
Event Insurance
ATBA-UK as the Event Organiser is required to hold public liability indemnity insurance without which the events would not be permitted to take place. This insurance does not cover riders for injuries sustained during the competition.
Competition Categories
There are six competition categories at ATBA-UK competitions; Pro, Seniors, Juniors, Masters, Ladies, and Groms. The Pro Category is the highest level of achievement within the competitions and one that many riders aspire to. It is an ‘Opt-in’ category which means that all competitors (except for those under the age of 14) are eligible for the Pro if they consider themselves good enough. The Juniors Category is open to any riders who are 15 years old or under. The Seniors Category is open to riders between the ages of 16 and 29. The Masters Category is for riders over the age of 30. The Ladies Category is open to any female riders of any age. The Groms Category is for riders who are under 12. All ages are based on the riders age on the 1st January.
Boarder-X
Boarder-X (BX) is four-man racing down a specifically designed track. Boarder-X racers are qualified in groups of similar ability using a Moto System that sorts riders by the results they gain in each qualifying race. Once qualification is complete, the riders are put into their age categories and 4 man knockout racing gets underway. The top 2 riders in each heat progress to the next round. This is done until the final four riders race off for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.
Freestyle
Freestyle (FS) is performing aerial tricks over jumps. The competition uses a Jam format so riders can have has many or as few runs as they like within the allotted time. Each rider is scored by a panel of judges and the rider´s best scores are used to rank them for their final placings.
Downhill
Downhill (DH) is one-man timed descents down long courses. Riders compete in any order
WHAT HAPPENS AT AN ATBA-UK EVENT?
Timetable for ATBA-UK Events
Saturday
- 09:00 – REGISTRATION and PRACTICE SESSION BEGINS
- 10:45 – RIDERS BRIEFING
- 11:00 – QUALIFICATION SESSION BEGINS
- 13:00 – HOUR BREAK FOR LUNCH
- 14:00 – KNOCKOUT RACING COMMENCES
- 18:00 – PRIZE GIVING FOR BOARDERCROSS
- 19:00 – EVENING ENTERTAINMENT COMMENCES
Sunday
- 10:30 – FREESTYLE REGISTRATION CLOSES
- 10:45 – RIDERS BRIEFING
- 12:00 – FREESTYLE COMPETION BEGINS
- 16:00 – PRIZE GIVING FOR FREESTYLE
We make every effort to keep to this timeatable however on occasions, delays may occur which are unavoidable. However timings will only be brought forward for the safety and well being of competitors, for example, in deteriorating weather conditions.
Please bear in mind that times are subject to change. Listen to announcements to ensure that you are where you need to be.
How is my age group decided?
Your age group for ATBA-UK competitions is based upon how old you are on the 1st January. So, if you’re 12 or under you’ll be in the Groms, 15 or under you’ll be in the Juniors, 16 to 29 and you’ll be in the Seniors, 30 or over and you’ll be in the Masters category.
Can I show up on the day and compete?
Yes, you can register for BoarderX Racing on Saturday morning until 11am, and Freestyle until 11.00am on Sunday.
Why does it cost more to enter if you’re not an ATBA-UK member?
All competitors are members of the ATBA-UK in order to meet our insurance requirements. If you’re not an annual member, then we do charge £10 for a day’s membership.
How many competitions do I have to enter to get a National Ranking?
To get a Season Ranking, a rider has to enter two events in a single discipline, and to get an Overall Ranking a rider needs to enter all three disciplines at two events. The more competitions a rider enters, the better chance they have of getting a higher ranking.
Where does everyone stay at the event?
On-site camping is provided and used by the majority of riders. Attendants will be charged approximately £5 (dependent on centres charge) per person per night for this camping facility.
Do I need to bring food along?
We do our best to make sure that there are catering facilities on site at all of the events, though attendants should note that this may not be available during the early morning period.
What happens on the Saturday night?
Saturday night is an opportunity for riders to socialise and relax, and look forward to the freestyle competition on the Sunday. The extent of entertainment will vary from event to event, but we will aim to ensure that there is always something happening.
EVENT RULES
Here are the rules for ATBA-UK endorsed competitions taking place in the UK. Please take note as you will not be permitted to enter competition unless both you and your board comply with the stated rules. Some of these may seem obvious but please take time to read them.
Protective Gear
All riders MUST wear a Helmet, Wrist Guards, Elbow and Knee Pads. It is recommended that riders also wear additional protective equipment such as padded shorts and body armour. Helmets must be fastened at all times when riding.
Leashes
To prevent any potential injury to other competitors and spectators, all riders are required to use a board retention device that attaches the rider to the board. The accepted forms of board retention device are Snowboard Bindings, Heel Straps or a Leash. It is important to note that ratchet bindings alone are not sufficient, and should be used in conjunction with either a leash or heel straps. This must pass inspection if not standard equipment. The device must not let the rider and board be further than 5ft apart.
To ensure the safety of spectators and other competitors the ATBA-UK has a zero tolerance policy in regard to this rule. Any rider found without a suitable board retention device will be stopped. If that rider has completed a run, then that run will be annulled. This could result in the loss of a qualifying run, or the rider’s early exit from competition. Refunds will not be given to riders disqualified on equipment safety grounds
Race Numbers
Race numbers must be worn during all competitions. Numbers should be worn on the rider’s chest, back or helmet with the entire number clearly visible at all times.
Rider Conduct off track
Verbal and physical abuse will not be tolerated. Officials will issue a single verbal warning. Upon a second violation, the rider will be disqualified from the event. Sabotage of other competitors boards and equipment will not be tolerated and will lead to immediate disqualification.
Board Design
Boards must comply with the rules below:
- Brake systems are not allowed to be used in boardercross racing.
- Wheels and tyres must not exceed 13inch Diameter.
- The board must be steered by using feet and body weight alone.
- The board must not have any dangerous spikes or areas that could cause damage to the rider or other riders in a crash.
- Tire spikes and motors are not allowed. Any device outside of human energy and gravitational pull are forbidden.
Please note that these rules apply to UK Series events. Should there be sufficient support and entrants for a type of board that falls outside of these guidelines, a specific race class may be provided for them.
No Show, No Go
All competitors are expected to listen to trackside announcements, and to ensure that they are ready to start when their name is called. Officials will allow a short amount of time for riders to prepare, but if a rider is not present when their name is called, then they should not expect for the event to wait for them. If a competitor misses their heat or freestyle jump, then that is solely their own responsibility.
BOARDERCROSS RULES
Physical Contact
No intentional pushing or grabbing is permitted. During unintentional contact rider may not grab other rider or other rider’s clothing or equipment. Should a rider be judged to have gained an advantage through physical contact, then that rider will be disqualified from their heat. This will mean that the rider is given 4th place in that heat and will not advance to the next round.
Start Lanes
On boardercross tracks, start lanes may be marked out in order to ensure that all competitors get a clean start. These lanes will typically go from the start gates to just before the first racing feature. Should a competitor cross over these lane markings and cause a racing incident (i.e. collision, fall etc.) then the heat will be restarted. Should no incident be caused by a competitor crossing the lanes, then no action will be taken.
Staying on the track
Riders should stay on the track at all times. Should a competitor leave the track for any reason, they should make their way directly back onto the track. Should a rider miss a race feature, or are judged to have gained an advantage by leaving the track, then that rider will be disqualified from their heat. This will mean that the rider is given 4th place in that heat and will not advance to the next round.
Flags & Race Marshals
Every event will be crewed by a group of race marshals. It is the responsibility of these marshals to keep a close watch on the track for both rule infringements & racing incidents. Each marshal will have 2 coloured flags. Should riders be shown a yellow flag, then they should be aware that a racing incident has occurred at some point further down the track, and that a competitor may have fallen and be lying on the track. Should a rider be shown a red flag, then they should stop immediately. A continuous red flag is held up when a race is stopped for any reason. Riders will get a re-run, but it is essential that all racing stop the moment a red flag is seen trackside. Red flags are only shown when a serious fall or incident has occurred, and must be taken seriously. Riders who are judged to have deliberately ignored a red flag will be disqualified from the event.
FREESTYLE RULES
Big Air & Slopestyle
There are two types of freestyle competition. Big Air, and Slopestyle. In Big Air, competitors will have a single large jump over which to perform tricks, and each run will consist of one jump. In slopestyle, riders will be given the opportunity to ride down a freestyle park performing tricks on the features. It is important to note that in slopestyle competition, riders will not be judged on each individual jump, but will be given an overall mark based on their performance throughout the entirety of their run through the freestyle park. Riders who deliberately hit lots of small obstacles in an attempt to accumulate points may find that their score is less than that of someone who took a flowing line through the park hitting a lower number of large features.
Freestyle Judging
Each freestyle competitor will be marked by 5 judges. Each judge will score competitors out of a total of 100 marks. The entrants will be scored on five criteria. These are TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY, STYLE, VARIETY, AMPLITUDE & LANDING. Once judges have allocated their scores, the highest & lowest scores will be ignored, and the remaining 3 scores added together to give a total score. This will be the competitor’s mark for that jump. The five criteria are further explained below.
- Technical Difficulty: This criteria deals with how challenging technically the maneuver being attempted is. Riders will score well for tricks that push the boundaries of what is possible. Off axis 540s, and flat 720 & 900 degree rotations are at the upper end of this spectrum, while straight airs & simple grabs toward the bottom.
- Style: Without question, style is one of the most important factors to consider in board sports, and yet also the hardest to explain. Riders will gain a strong style score for fluid motions, tweaking and holding grabs, strong body shape and stillness in the air. Riders will lose points for excessive motion (e.g. arms flapping), not holding grabs for an appropriate length of time and for any perceived or actual lack of control.
- Variety: Competitors are expected to be able to perform a variety of tricks. Entrants should be able to perform different grabs, tweaks, ride in switch and spin and flip in different directions. Competitors demonstrating these abilities will expect to score higher than those who do not. To maximise run score, riders should demonstrate their ability to do a variety of tricks, such as spinning in different directions on different jumps, and include some switch riding.
- Amplitude: Riders will be scored on how much airtime they get over jumps. Riders will gain points the more airtime that they get. Riders who fail to clear the knuckle of a jump may be penalised.
- Landing: Competitors are expected to be able to land the tricks that they attempt. Riders will gain points for clean landings. Entrants will be penalised for sliding out on landing, not landing clean, putting down a hand on landing and obviously, for falling.
Attempting tricks for the first time
The ATBA-UK fully understands that riders may want to push their limits in an attempt to score well in competition, and we have no wish to prevent this from occurring. However, the ATBA-UK would also like to remind riders that mountainboarding is an extreme sport, and that the possibility of injury is a real one. We would like to take this opportunity to strongly recommend that riders do not use competitions as their first attempt to perform difficult tricks. This is especially true for riders considering inverted tricks for the first time. The potential for serious injury while going upside down is very real, and the ATBA-UK would like all riders to bear this in mind before trying a flip or rodeo for the first time.
DOWNHILL RULES
Results
Each riders fastest time will be used in their ranking. Riders times will be ranked fastest to slowest in each competitive category.
Re-runs
A competitor who is hindered while competing by the error of an official, by a spectator, an animal, or by any other justifiable causes outside their control can request a re-run. In special circumstances or technical failures i.e. failure of start gate or timing systems, the ATBA-UK may order a provisional re-run.
Tie-breaks
In the event of two riders achieving the same fastest time, each riders second fastest time will be used to rank them.
Refusing entry
The ATBA-UK reserves the right to refuse entry to any rider on safety grounds if we believe that rider has a greater than normal chance of injuring themselves. The ATBA-UK also reserve the right to refuse entry to any rider it believes is suffering from the effects of alcohol or drugs to the extent that they are unsafe.
THE GOLDEN RULE
The Judge’s decision is final.
