WPC Rules

*All fishing must be carried out in a respectful manner in line with the spirit and tradition of an international event. Any activities deemed to be in violation of competition rules or carried out in a disruptive or disrespectful manner may lead to disqualification and banning from the competition at the discretion of the organisers.*

• The organisers (Angling Spirit Ltd) will have absolute control and discretion over the competition, rules, and terms & conditions.
• The organisers reserve the right to modify all or any part of the rules and terms & conditions at any time.
• World Predator Classic rules have been reviewed and authorised by appropriate local authorities and abide by and include all relevant local rules.
• All competitors must understand that they have to provide the organisers with all required documents and insurance as a condition of entry to the event.
• All competitors will be required to sign a registration form to confirm acceptance of the full and final event rules and terms & conditions.
• All competitors are required to sign an event disclaimer.
• All offenses will be reported to the organisers and dealt with in accordance with the level of seriousness and may lead to disqualification.
• The Organisers will use images of the competitors at their sole discretion on any support material they deem appropriate.
• English is the official language of the WPC.
• The official currency of the WPC is GBP (Sterling £).
• The official time format is 24 hours and all times mentioned are local times.
• WPC boat rules and terms & conditions are the property of Angling Spirit Ltd. They cannot be used, copied or even partially copied without getting written consent and crediting Angling Spirit.

• The competition is open to all from the age of 18 and up.
• WPC is a pairs event fished from boats.
• The event is run as a strict catch and release competition.
• It is a three-day event run as detailed in the itinerary.
• The event is run on the waters situated in between the Haringvliet sluizen to the Moerdijk bridge (A16 bridge).
• Captains have one hour from the end of the competition to hand their daily cards in.
• Captures to be validated by a set of two official pictures taken following the information as set out in the rules and submitted via the Angling Spirit official app.

• Perch: 22 cm – Zander: 42cm – Pike: 45cm.

• All participants must hold a valid Dutch fishing license. If you do not already hold one, you will be added to the competition permit list which is only valid during daily competition hours.
• Anyone intending to operate a boat during the competition must present at registration a valid international certificate for the operating of pleasure craft or equivalent. (http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/doc/finaldocs/sc3/TRANS-SC3-147e.pdf)
• A boat public liability certificate is required to cover any third-party damage in the event of any incident and is also to be presented at registration.
• Limited personal public liability is included in the entry fee – read carefully the WPC personal public liability details. Due to the limitations, anglers are required to have their own personal public liability in addition.

A01- Competitors must arrange to have their boat and equipment checked at one of the designated times (see event itinerary).

A02- Only boats compliant with Dutch regulations & WPC requirements will be given an approved boat tag (see section E06 to E08).

A03- Failure to obtain an approved boat tag will delay YOUR start time as the boat will need to be re-checked and issued its approved boat tag.

A04- The approved boat tag is then to be securely fastened to the boat using a cable tie and must remain easily visible to marshals and competitors. (Printed on the reverse will be contact details for local emergency services, marshal’s boat, and event HQ).

A05- Competitors are free to use their boats during registration days and use fish finders BUT NO FISHING IS ALLOWED in the competition area. In doing so, competitors need to comply with any Dutch laws as detailed above. Red card penalties will be enforced for non-compliance.
Fishing on Registration Day Monday only is now allowed providing both anglers’ name on the Official list is in ORANGE.

A06-  In normal circumstances, FRIDAY is rest-day; is a day when FISHING is ALLOWED only in the designated “WPC partners area” for sponsors and media purposes. Captains are required to attend a daily briefing.

B01- Both competitors must register together at one of the designated times (see event itinerary) and provide the organisers with all required documents. Read the registration process in your competitor’s pack – Incomplete documentation will mean you will forfeit your turn during registration).

B02- Any angler not able to produce a boat driving licence will be tagged by an additional wristband – under no circumstances will they then be allowed to steer the boat during the entire duration of the event.

B03- Once all documents are in order (including any outstanding balance paid), competitors will be provided with a color-coded identity bracelet which must be worn throughout the competition including the prize giving.

B04- Anyone not registered within the official registration times could be excluded from the competition and their entry fee forfeited unless prior notice is given. If competitors have a valid reason for late arrival they must contact the organisers by leaving a personal message on the WPC’s Facebook page. A final decision will be made by the organisers and this will be final.

C01- All boat captains are required to attend all scheduled daily briefings including the one on Rest Day if going out.
C02- All queries in relation to the rules received by the event team will be compiled and addressed during the daily captain’s briefing. Answers given during this meeting will be final and supersede any others given previously.
C03- The official group picture will take place at the end of the flag parade. All competitors are required to be present with their national flag attached to a pole.

D01- Follow this link to access: WPC BOAT PRIZE TABLE.
D02- Prizes will only be given to competitors who are present at prize-giving – If competitors are not present to receive their prizes they will be donated to the local Angling Spirit Fishing Academy.
D03- Awarded prizes cannot be exchanged for cash. Organisers reserve the right to exchange advertised prizes for any alternative to the same or greater value of the one first mentioned. Once awarded, prizes become the winner’s sole responsibility and appropriate arrangements are to be made to ensure their security.
D04- World Predator Classic champions (winners of the prize boat) commit to utilising all of the aforementioned for 18 months following the presentation. As well as co-operating with organisers and partners for their use in marketing and promotional activity. The prize boat and equipment as listed above is also to be used to compete in the World Predator Classic the year following their win.

E01- No one under the age of 18 will be allowed at any time during the competition to use boats.
E02- The use of boats in all circumstances throughout the entire competition is entirely at the competitors’ own risk and responsibility. Angling Spirit & World Predator Classic are not liable for any damage/accidents resulting from the use of boats by competitors.

INSURANCE AND WAIVERS

E03- To be allowed to fish from a boat in the competition, anglers must abide by the following:
– Signing of an on-site registration form to include an agreement to abide by rules, an understanding of event public liability details, and confirmation of receipt and understanding of the terms & conditions.
– Signing of the World Predator Classic disclaimer. Use of boat during the competition is at the sole responsibility of the anglers.
– Provide organisers with proof of boat insurance including its 3rd party public liability.
– As part of the entry fee, organisers provide a personal public liability cover which only covers them during the daily hours of the competition and only applies in between registered WPC competitors including other categories and team members. This cover does not apply to the boat or its use. Anglers are required to have their own public liability insurance.

BOAT SPECIFICATION

E04- All boats used during the competition must conform to host venue and World Predator Classic requirements (Rule E06).
E05- Propulsion allowed: electric, petrol or diesel.

BOAT SAFETY EQUIPMENT

E06- To be compliant during the competition a boat must carry at any time:
By law:
– One or more paddles or oars.
– An appropriate anchor/weight properly secured to the boat with a minimum of 30 meters of rope is required.
– A bail or a manually operated pump.
– A foghorn or acoustic warning device.
– An emergency ignition shut-off device. Wireless devices accepted.
– An approved dry-chemical extinguisher if the boat is fitted with an engine.

Additional to meet World Predator Classic requirements:
– A first aid kit.
– A life jacket per person on-board (Rule E07 & E08).

LIFE JACKETS

E07- Competitors ARE REQUIRED to wear a life jacket properly fastened at all times when on-board from leaving the berth.
E08- Life jackets will be checked and must meet the following requirements:
– Must be CE certified and conform to the European standard of at least EN395.
– Must be fitted with a whistle and a luminous stick or waterproof electric light.

SECURITY CHECKS

E09- Prior to registration each boat, its equipment, and life jackets will be checked. Only boats complying with rules as listed in E06 to E08 are to be allowed to compete.
E10- Security spot check: Organisers, World Predator Classic marshals and local authorities have sole discretion to conduct spot checks at any time during the competition.
E11- If a boat is found non-compliant, competitors are to immediately return to the marina and take action as necessary. They will need to go through a complete security check before being allowed to return to the competition. If a boat is found non-compliant by local authorities, it is at their sole discretion to impose local laws. Depending on the severity of the non-compliance, the event organisers have the right to issue a yellow or red card.

USE OF BOATS DURING THE COMPETITION

E12- Only anglers holding a powerboat permit recognised by the Dutch authorities are allowed to captain a boat. A captain’s armband provided by organisers will identify the boat captain.
E13- Whenever the main engine is in use, a kill switch system MUST BE attached to the driver’s body/or connected for wireless devices. See penalty section.
E14- Local, national, European, and international boating rules apply in this order. World Predator Classic will endeavour to provide any local boat rules relevant to the good running of the event but it is the boat captain’s sole responsibility to manoeuvre their boat appropriately and safely.
E15- During movement over 5 km/h boats are allowed to pass each other at 25 meters distance if they are both moving in a different direction.
E16- A unique competition area situated between the Haringvliet sluizen bridge and the Moerdijk bridge. Competition area limitation, forbidden fishing zones (no entry for boats or fishing/casting into the Area) are marked in red –  50 meters around harbour entrances are excluded from the competition and are to be marked in red on the official map.
E17- During the competition, boats are required to keep a minimum distance of 100 meters from other competing boats and 50 meters from non-competing boats. Competing boats will be identified by competition stickers on the engine.
E18- The competition’s head marshal may disqualify a boat from use if the boat or anglers are deemed unfit to go afloat.
E19- During rough weather, the competition’s head marshal may issue an order via SMS or other means for boats to get immediate shelter to the nearest safe location. In both instances, competitors are to comply immediately.
E20- In the event of thunder anglers are to stop fishing immediately without waiting for the head marshal’s SMS order and seek shelter to the nearest safe location.
E21- Competitors are to report any queries to event HQ using the number provided on the emergency boat tag. A call will be then dispatched appropriately.
E22- All competitors are reminded to respect speed restrictions when on the water. In the event of low visibility due to i.e. heavy rain or fog, participants must stop any fishing activity, reduce their speed to the minimum and make use of their horn/whistle when and as required.

BOAT MOORING

E23- It is the competitor’s responsibility to moor boats securely in the designated area.
E24- All valuables must be removed overnight. Anything left including the boat itself is done at the owner’s sole responsibility. World Predator Classic or the marina cannot be held responsible for any lost or damaged possessions.

PROCEDURE IN CASE OF A PROBLEM WHILE AFLOAT

E25- Competitors are to raise the alarm immediately if a problem arises by phoning one of the arena marshals or the event HQ number provided on the emergency tag. In the event of a medical emergency, anglers are to first phone local emergency assistance as per the information given on the emergency card and then the event HQ or marshal boat.
E26- A foghorn is also to be used to raise arena marshal’s and the other competitor’s attention. Neighbouring competing boats must maintain a 15-metre safety distance whilst assessing the situation.
E27- If the situation is not life-threatening, competing rescue anglers are to remain close until the arrival of a marshal boat. They can resume the competition as soon as they are given the go-ahead by the marshal boat.
E28- In the case of a more serious situation, competing rescue boats are allowed to approach a boat in difficulty. Keeping their own safety in mind, they are allowed to assist competitors whilst awaiting local authorities/marshal’s assistance. They can resume the competition as soon as they are given the go-ahead by marshal boat.

F01- Start of the competition daily procedure:
– Anglers are to undergo a self-security check showing an appropriate daily sticker as a reference when displaying all security equipment on board as detailed in rules E06/E08.
– All storage compartments/items are to be opened for boat inspection by event organisers.
– Hulls may be inspected by underwater cameras at the event organiser’s discretion.
F02- As directed from 07:45, the boats will be invited to leave home-port and to position themselves on an imaginary line determined by the area start line buoy and the area head marshal’s boat marking the end of the line. Boats are to remain in-line pointing in the same direction as the area head marshal’s boat to await the start of the competition.
F03- It is the competitor’s sole responsibility to be on-time and correctly positioned on the start line to await the long fog horn signal to be blown at 08:15 marking the start of the daily competition.
F04- It is the competitor’s sole responsibility to have returned to the marina and handed in the daily catch card within one hour of the end of the competition. Any late catch card returns will void any catch made during that day.
F05- Signed catch cards are to act as an angler’s safe return. Cards not returned within 75 minutes from the end of daily competition will automatically activate a location search.  
F06- Daily catch cards not returned and/or supportive pictures not provided within 1 hour from the end of the competition will void any catches for the day.

Competitors are liable for the loss or damage of the items provided as detailed in the competitor’s information package.
G01- For the good running of the event, organisers will supply (upon registration) each captain with an official measuring board, an event map, and three scorecards. Loss of these items are subject to a penalty.
G02- Competitors are to use their own IOS/Android device to operate the World Predator Classic leader board app.
G03- The captain must attend a daily briefing to receive their unique fish labels of the day.

H01- Per boat, the two competing anglers, and their fishing equipment only are allowed on board.
H02- At the organiser’s discretion marshals and or media can board the boat.
H03- The act of fishing must be carried as follows:
– NO fishing is allowed when petrol/diesel or any other fuel engine is in use.
– NO fishing is allowed by conventional anchor using weight chain and rope.
– GPS, talons, and drogues are allowed.
– TROLLING is NOT allowed. For clarity, fishing whilst under the propulsion of any kind whilst a line is in the water is NOT ALLOWED.
– Whilst fishing, anglers must ALWAYS have the rod in hand. Rods in holders are ONLY permitted if the lure is NOT in water.
– One (1) rod per angler in the water is permitted at any one time.
H04- Competitors are not allowed to come back to the shore even for re-fuelling/coupled with another vessel or tie to a buoy unless dictated by a medical or mechanical emergency.
H05- Fishing to be done exclusively within the limits of the zone area.
H06- Via special dispensation from the Dutch angling authorities, anglers are allowed to have as many fully rigged and ready-for-use rods on-board as they wish.
H07- Only artificial lures meeting local water requirements are allowed (see section L). Fly fishing is not allowed. Any live or dead baits as well as any kind of substances thrown overboard aimed at attracting fish are strictly forbidden.
H08- Only fish caught by the mouth count.

I01- Anglers are to agree that the fishing must be carried out respecting the spirit and traditions of an international event.
I02- Anglers are to fish the competition on a no-kill, catch and release basis with fish welfare of primary importance at all times.
I03- Competitors are also required to adopt respectful conduct at all times of the competition, and behave in a manner that will be a credit to themselves and to the WPC including sponsors, third parties, the host venue, and the community. Swearing, obscene gestures, excessive drinking, and the taking of illegal substances are prohibited.
I04- Anglers cannot take to any public communication channels including social media to post any comments or grievance which they know could harm the reputation of the event, its partners, hosts, or fellow participants. Please refer to the event terms & conditions on how to report any disputes. If this rule is not followed sanctions will apply.
I05- Anglers are to comply with event rules at all times and to take part in the event without the intention of cheating. When necessary, they must report any act of cheating. Hiding an act of cheating will be treated as is and will carry the same sanctions.
I06- The organisers retain the right to search all competitor’s tackle and boat to combat any form of cheating or rule-breaking.
I07- Competitors must comply with requests from the official WPC media crew at all times regarding media coverage, except if they are in the process of landing a fish. Members of the media who are competing will not be granted media access to other competitors.

J01- The competition is fished according to a daily quota of 3 Perch, 3 Zander, and 1 Pike; of which only the longest will count.
J02- Any fish caught for which data has not been received by event HQ has to be submitted and verified no later than the return of the daily catch card.
J03- To count, fish must be measured using “official measuring boards” supplied daily by the organisers before the start of the competition. Anglers must follow the procedure as detailed below:
J04- Only fish caught by the mouth and measuring the minimum legal length and above for the host water will count. Fish below the minimum size should immediately be released with great care.
J05- To count, the catch must meet a strict validation process as follows:
– Minimum length for the species attained.
– Measured using the official board with the fish’s right flank down, lips touching the stand and with the tail flat.
– Pictures showing dead or bloodstained fish or with hand(s) on top of fish, measurements on the wrong flank, with poor exposure or lips not touching the headboard, where the fish type does not match the picture and/or with an unreadable fish unique number (FUN) will automatically disqualify the catch with no possibility for re-submission. See information regarding the picture on the competition map & catch card.
– The length of the fish allocated will be the one visible on the picture rounded up to the next full centimetre provided the head is clearly touching the headboard.
– Correct use of the fish unique number (FUN) on picture 1 & 2 + submission of daily catch card on time.
– Data has to be sent in full using the event app accompanied by 2 pictures in this order:
Picture #1: Fish on the official ruler right flank down with lips touching the stand, tail flat & showing the fish unique number (FUN).
Picture #2: Fish to be held at angler’s discretion as long as it shows the fish unique number (FUN).
* The fish are to be returned to the water alive – done in good faith and with honourable sportsmanship.
If any one of the above is not followed, the catch will automatically become invalid and therefore will not be taken into account.
J06- Only full centimetres will be recorded. If the fish is over the length marker the next full centimetre number will be recorded.
J07- The catch is to be reported immediately using the event app. Organisers have the right to ask marshal boats to check boats daily catch card against the leader board. NO fishing is allowed while the check is being conducted and, if required, while the results are uploaded.
J08- It is the competitor’s responsibility, should they wish to gain assistance from marshals, to record a catch and to make contact by SMS and start travelling towards the marshal’s boat in order for the fish to be kept in well for a minimal amount of time.
J09- Only one (1) fish can be held (in the live well) on board at any one time and only for the purpose of keeping the fish alive and safe while travelling a marshal boat. Marshals have the right to check live wells at all times.

Use of official daily catch/scorecard

– Competing boats are to receive three daily catch cards upon the start of the competition.
– Anglers are to record each fish above the legal size they want to keep information for.
– Upon arrival anglers are to check if the information supplied with the app and displayed in the leaderboard matches their record.
– Anglers are to put a cross (X) against the maximum quota of 3 Perch, 3 Zander, 1 Pike to select the fish they wish to submit. Only checked fish will be taken into account by the event result desk. On the last day, the event result desk will proceed to a final review for the top 10 boats. The last check supersedes any previous ones and is final.
– The captain is to date and sign in the presence of results officials. Once signed, the information submitted cannot be changed.

K01- Results will be done in order of the following procedure:
– At the end of each day the length of the best 3 Perch, 3 Zander and 1 Pike is compiled in centimetres.
– Once the length has been calculated any penalties received during that day are then deducted.
– In the event of a tie, the boat with fewer penalties on the day automatically wins.
– If there is still a tie, the boat with the less cumulative penalties since the start of the competition automatically wins.
– Finally, if there is still a tie, a ranking will be allocated on the boats’ longest Perch of the event, longest Zander, longest Pike, and finally on the time of first scoring fish on day 1, time of first scoring fish on day 2 and time of first scoring fish on day 3 in this order.

K02- Once the overall length has been calculated for all participants, centimetres are then converted into points as follows:
– Anglers with the greatest combined length per boat to the maximum allocation per day after penalties deduction are to receive 1 point, second to receive 2 points etc…

K03- In the event, some competitors do not catch on one day, they will all be allocated the points of the last position in their group or combined group.

K04- Winners will be in ranking order of the competitors having the least combined amount of points over the three days event.

K05- The team score will be calculated on a similar basis by adding both boats forming a team score. The team with the lowest score being the winner.

L01- Any reports of cheating, misbehaviour is to be reported immediately to the event HQ so as it may be recorded and investigated.
L02- Delayed claims will only be taken into account if substantiated by pictures and/or other proof but they must be reported within two hours following the end of the competition day.
L03- All penalties given will be posted on the website/social networks with an explanation.

ISSUE OF SANCTIONS

L04- Marshals are allowed to issue orange cards.
L05- Issued orange cards remain valid for the whole duration of the event.
L06- Orange cards will automatically be accompanied by an additional penalty as detailed below.
L07- Red card matters will be relayed by the marshals to WPC’s head marshal who may call upon witnesses and the event quorum to discuss the matter. The WPC’s head marshal’s decision on any matter is final.
L08- Red cards may carry an additional penalty as detailed below.
L09- Any sanction will be published on event communication channels at the time of the event and in the future.

PENALTIES

Competitors can incur 4 types of penalties during the event: Sanctions, orange card, yellow card, red card.

L11- Sanctions

– Failing to be in the line-up at the arena’s start position each day will lead to a 10 cm deduction and a further 5 cm per minute thereafter.
– Failure to sign or hand the daily catch to the results officials within 60 mins from the end of the competition will void any catch of the day.

L12- ORANGE CARD

– Orange cards remain valid for the duration of the event.
– Orange cards for an offence carry (each time) a 1-hour fishing ban in addition to a centimetre deduction each time it is re-issued throughout the competition.
– Each additional orange card entails an automatic 1-hour start delay on the following day. On the last day, it will mean the team sacrifices the penultimate hour of the competition or faces the disqualification of their remaining longest fish per card issued throughout the competition if no time allows for it.

Orange card applies to:
– Loss of scorecards/map/ruler or Fish Unique Number (FUN) = 20 cm deduction prior to the daily start and return to event HQ during competition
– An infringement on another competitor’s water = 20 cm deduction.
– An infringement on no man’s land = 25 cm deduction.
– Non-compliance with the marshal’s instructions. This will be relayed to the head marshal who has the right to take further action alongside a 50 cm deduction.
– Daily morning security boat checks not completed correctly will entail a 50 cm deduction.
– The inability to return to port by a competitor’s own accord. At the organisier’s discretion, this will cause a 50 cm deduction under rule E06.

L13- YELLOW CARD

Any of the following carries an automatic YELLOW CARD penalty, which is where the longest fish of the day disqualified plus a 1-hour fishing ban.
– Excessive speeding or dangerous boatmanship. Local rules apply but can be overruled by marshals if they deem a boat is posing a danger to anyone afloat, even if within local speed limits.
– Boats where the kill switch is not activated when the boat is being powered by the main engine.
– Boats where life jackets are not worn and securely fastened from leaving the berth (rule E07).

– Two YELLOW CARDS result in an automatic RED CARD and immediate disqualification from the event.

L14- RED CARD

Red cards can be the result of two yellow cards (see above) or given immediately for offences as detailed below:
– Any fishing in the competition arena outside competition hours.
– Going ashore during the competition without permission (see rule H04).
– Any deliberate acts of pollution (i.e. rubbish etc.) on the water or on land. This will also result in a three-year ban unless the fine set by local authorities is settled.
– Any team issued a speeding ticket by the Dutch authorities.
– Misbehaviour that conflicts with the spirit of angling. This will also result in a minimum of a 3-year ban.
– Deliberate acts of cheating with proof/witness. This will result in a lifetime ban.

If a red card is issued, the event organisers have the right to have this accompanied by a lifetime ban.