Alberta Beach Race Course Description
Course Overview
The Alberta Beach race course has been designed to provide exciting, competitive racing while giving spectators an excellent view of the action from the beach and pier. The course combines high-speed straights, technical corners, and strategic split sections that reward rider decision-making while reducing congestion on the race course.
The course features one controlled start section followed by two rider-choice split sections, creating a unique layout that emphasizes both safety and race strategy.
The Alberta Beach race course has been designed to provide exciting, competitive racing while giving spectators an excellent view of the action from the beach and pier. The course combines high-speed straights, technical corners, and strategic split sections that reward rider decision-making while reducing congestion on the race course.
The course features one controlled start section followed by two rider-choice split sections, creating a unique layout that emphasizes both safety and race strategy.
Start Procedure
The Start Line is located immediately to the right (northeast) of the Alberta Beach Pier, directly in front of the main spectator area, providing excellent visibility for spectators and race officials.
Gate Position Assignment
The course uses two start lanes, with each rider's starting position determined by the following gate selection procedure.
Moto #1 of Each Race Day
For the first moto of each race day, riders determine their starting position by drawing a numbered gate ball during rider staging.
- Riders drawing an odd-numbered gate ball (1, 3, 5, etc.) will start in the Inside (Left) Start Lane.
- Riders drawing an even-numbered gate ball (2, 4, 6, etc.) will start in the Outside (Right) Start Lane.
Moto #2 of Each Race Day
The second moto of the day is lined up according to the finishing order from the previous moto.
The rider who finished 1st in the previous moto selects their preferred available starting position first, followed by the 2nd-place finisher, then 3rd, and so on until all starting positions have been selected.
Once a rider selects a numbered starting position, the lane assignment is automatically determined:
The rider who finished 1st in the previous moto selects their preferred available starting position first, followed by the 2nd-place finisher, then 3rd, and so on until all starting positions have been selected.
Once a rider selects a numbered starting position, the lane assignment is automatically determined:
- Odd-numbered starting positions = Inside (Left) Start Lane
- Even-numbered starting positions = Outside (Right) Start Lane
Mandatory Start Lanes
From the moment the race begins until reaching the Merge Buoy, riders must remain in their assigned start lane. Crossing into the opposite lane before reaching the Merge Buoy is prohibited.
Inside (Left) Start LaneRiders assigned to the Inside (Left) Start Lane will follow the Green Buoy Course. Riders must remain on the Green Buoy Course until reaching the Merge Buoy (identified on the course map by the pair of long white buoys tied together in a barbell configuration).
Outside (Right) Start LaneRiders assigned to the Outside (Right) Start Lane will round the double buoy located at the upper left portion of the course diagram. During the start section only, they will bypass the first Blue buoy before continuing along the Blue Buoy Course until reaching the Merge Buoy.
Bypassing the first Blue buoy is required only during the start and is intended to equalize the distance between the inside and outside start lanes. Once riders have passed the Merge Buoy, all Blue buoys become active as part of the normal race course.
At the Merge Buoy, the mandatory start procedure ends and normal race conditions begin.
Inside (Left) Start LaneRiders assigned to the Inside (Left) Start Lane will follow the Green Buoy Course. Riders must remain on the Green Buoy Course until reaching the Merge Buoy (identified on the course map by the pair of long white buoys tied together in a barbell configuration).
Outside (Right) Start LaneRiders assigned to the Outside (Right) Start Lane will round the double buoy located at the upper left portion of the course diagram. During the start section only, they will bypass the first Blue buoy before continuing along the Blue Buoy Course until reaching the Merge Buoy.
Bypassing the first Blue buoy is required only during the start and is intended to equalize the distance between the inside and outside start lanes. Once riders have passed the Merge Buoy, all Blue buoys become active as part of the normal race course.
At the Merge Buoy, the mandatory start procedure ends and normal race conditions begin.
Split #1 – Rider's Choice
Once riders have passed the Merge Buoy, the mandatory start lane assignment ends.
From this point forward, Split #1 becomes the rider's choice.
Riders may choose either the Green Buoy Split or the Blue Buoy Split each time they enter the split. Both routes are designed to be equal in length and equal in difficulty, ensuring no competitive advantage is gained by selecting one lane over the other.
Riders may choose a different split on each lap based on race strategy, traffic, or passing opportunities.
Once a rider has committed to either the Green or Blue split lane, they must remain in that lane until the two lanes rejoin. Crossing from one split lane to the other after entering the split is prohibited, as it creates an unsafe racing condition and may result in penalties at the discretion of Race Control.
After the two lanes rejoin, riders continue toward the Finish Line.
From this point forward, Split #1 becomes the rider's choice.
Riders may choose either the Green Buoy Split or the Blue Buoy Split each time they enter the split. Both routes are designed to be equal in length and equal in difficulty, ensuring no competitive advantage is gained by selecting one lane over the other.
Riders may choose a different split on each lap based on race strategy, traffic, or passing opportunities.
Once a rider has committed to either the Green or Blue split lane, they must remain in that lane until the two lanes rejoin. Crossing from one split lane to the other after entering the split is prohibited, as it creates an unsafe racing condition and may result in penalties at the discretion of Race Control.
After the two lanes rejoin, riders continue toward the Finish Line.
Finish Line
After completing Split #1, riders approach the Finish Line, located directly in front of the Race Control Tower (identified on the course map by the boxed "T").
All riders must pass between the two Finish Line buoys on every lap.
These buoys define the official finish line and provide a safe, predictable path for racers as they pass the Race Control Tower and the primary spectator viewing area. Failure to pass between the Finish Line buoys will result in the lap not being counted and may result in penalties at the discretion of Race Control.
After crossing the Finish Line, riders continue through the following sequence:
All riders must pass between the two Finish Line buoys on every lap.
These buoys define the official finish line and provide a safe, predictable path for racers as they pass the Race Control Tower and the primary spectator viewing area. Failure to pass between the Finish Line buoys will result in the lap not being counted and may result in penalties at the discretion of Race Control.
After crossing the Finish Line, riders continue through the following sequence:
- Left around the two Red buoys.
- Right around the Yellow buoy.
- Left around the single Red buoy.
Split #2 – Rider's Choice
Upon rounding the final Red buoy, riders enter Split #2.
At the entrance to the split, riders may choose one of two routes:
Once a rider has committed to either the Yellow or Red split lane, they must remain in that lane until the two routes rejoin. Crossing from one split lane to the other after entering the split is prohibited, as it creates an unsafe racing condition and may result in penalties at the discretion of Race Control.
After the two routes rejoin, riders continue through the final technical section of the course.
At the entrance to the split, riders may choose one of two routes:
- Left Split — marked by two Yellow buoys.
- Right Split — marked by two Red buoys.
Once a rider has committed to either the Yellow or Red split lane, they must remain in that lane until the two routes rejoin. Crossing from one split lane to the other after entering the split is prohibited, as it creates an unsafe racing condition and may result in penalties at the discretion of Race Control.
After the two routes rejoin, riders continue through the final technical section of the course.
Remainder of the Stand-Up Ski Course
After completing Split #2, riders navigate the following sequence:
The double buoy marks the beginning of the transition back into the opening section of the course. Riders round the double buoy and continue toward Split #1, where they may once again choose either the Green Buoy Split or the Blue Buoy Split to begin the next lap.
- Right around the Yellow buoy.
- Left around the Red buoy.
- Right around the Yellow buoy.
The double buoy marks the beginning of the transition back into the opening section of the course. Riders round the double buoy and continue toward Split #1, where they may once again choose either the Green Buoy Split or the Blue Buoy Split to begin the next lap.
Runabout Course Variation
The course described above is the standard layout for all Stand-Up Ski classes.
To better suit the speed, handling characteristics, and turning radius of Runabout (sit-down) Personal Watercraft, the course includes an additional extension following Split #2.
The dotted line shown on the course diagram represents the Runabout Outer Loop, which is mandatory for all Runabout classes.
After completing Split #2, the two split lanes rejoin. At this point, Stand-Up Ski classes continue on the standard course as previously described.
Runabout classes, however, continue onto the Runabout Outer Loop, adding distance and allowing the higher-performance watercraft to carry greater speed before rejoining the main course.
The Runabout Outer Loop has been designed to:
To better suit the speed, handling characteristics, and turning radius of Runabout (sit-down) Personal Watercraft, the course includes an additional extension following Split #2.
The dotted line shown on the course diagram represents the Runabout Outer Loop, which is mandatory for all Runabout classes.
After completing Split #2, the two split lanes rejoin. At this point, Stand-Up Ski classes continue on the standard course as previously described.
Runabout classes, however, continue onto the Runabout Outer Loop, adding distance and allowing the higher-performance watercraft to carry greater speed before rejoining the main course.
The Runabout Outer Loop has been designed to:
- Increase the overall lap length for Runabout classes.
- Better utilize the higher speeds of Runabout watercraft.
- Reduce congestion by spreading the field over a larger section of the course.
- Provide a more challenging and enjoyable layout for Runabout competitors.
