Swayback Bridge Trail - Coosa River - Wetumpka, Alabama

IMPORTANT RAPPEL GUIDELINES     [printable version]

We are fully aware that this is a race and that speed and time is important, however, remember, our main concern in the Rappel Challenge is SAFETY FIRST!

Coosa Rock is a 80 foot rappel. Any fall can result in serious injury or death, so please be mindful of your footing and your position at ALL times while at the top of Coosa Rock!

We will attempt to avoid crowding or a bottleneck of racers here, however, if this occurs, please remain patient and orderly. Our goal is to make this part of the Coosa River Challenge to be exciting, as well as go quickly and smoothly, but most importantly; SAFELY.

Please adhere to ALL instructions of the race volunteers at the rappel site AT ALL TIMES.

NO SAFETY VIOLATIONS WILL BE TOLERATED!

PLEASE DO NOT STEP ON ANY ROPES AT ANY TIME!!!!

RAPPEL PROCEDURES

(1) Upon arrival at the Coosa River Boat Ramp, all Solo racers AND Teams will pick up life jackets at trailhead from volunteer and then continue on well marked trail to Coosa Rock to Rappel Challenge.

PLEASE STAY ON MARKED TRAIL AT ALL TIMES!

All competitors who will rappel will rappel in order of arrival and under the close supervision of rappel volunteers. All Solo racers and randomly selected team members will rappel.

ATTENTION TEAMS

Once at check-in point at the bottom of the gully leading to the top of Coosa Rock, all two-person teams will choose which team member will do the Rappel Challenge by drawing a poker chip from a bag. Only one Team member will draw a poker chip. If he/she selects a RED poker chip, he/she will rappel; if he/she draws a WHITE poker chip, his/her partner will rappel.

After deciding who will rappel, that team member will head up the trail to the top of Coosa Rock to rappel. The other team member will proceed down the marked trail as directed by the Trail Monitor and wait to link up with his/her race partner. Both will then swim to the marked exit trail on the river bank. They will then return via the marked trail to the Coosa River Boat Ramp to get a boat and begin paddling down river.

Additionally, all solo racers will also be required to swim from the base of Coosa Rock to the exit trail marked and then return via the marked trail to the Coosa River Boat Ramp to get a boat and begin paddling down river

NOTE: ALL racers involved in Rappel Challenge MUST pick up life jacket at Boat Ramp and WEAR life jacket during the entire Rappel Challenge and swim.

The Elmore County Search and Rescue will be on hand in the river at the base of Coosa Rock. If you have ANY problems while swimming, please alert these people RIGHT AWAY.

(2) All rappel racers MUST check-in with volunteer at the top of Coosa Rock to be marked off master race list, and be given colored zip tie for rappel challenge. Racer should attach this zip tie to pack, clothing, wrist, etc.

RACERS MUST FINISH RACE WITH THIS ZIP TIE OR BE PENALIZED AT END OF RACE.

Please inform the race volunteers at the top of Coosa Rock IF this is your first time to rappel, so that they may assist you in every possible way.

IMPORTANT: Any racer who chooses to bypass the Rappel challenge will be penalized 45 minutes at end of race.

(3) All racers will rappel in order of arrival at check-in at top of Coosa Rock, especially if a bottleneck develops. Rappel ropes will be labeled Rope One, Two, Three, and Four. Please use these designations in rappel commands.

(4) Racer will gear up with fully equipped harness (belay device on large locking binder). All racers MUST be cleared and checked by race monitor for proper gear up. Gloves and helmets are provided and required.

(5) Race volunteers will assist racers with proper rope hook up, and rappel techniques if needed. ALL racers MUST be cleared to rappel by race volunteer before they rappel. This will be done as quickly as possible, however remember, SAFETY comes first! All checks with racers should be verbalized; i.e:

• (1) Harness buckles backed up,
• (2) Caribiner locked and hooked into the harness correctly,
• (3) Belay device and rope hooked into harness correctly,
• (4) Helmet and gloves,
• (5) Clear to rappel OK’d.
• (6) Proper commands for rappel to belay person at bottom of rock should be: “ON RAPPEL Rope One,” answered by: “ON BELAY Rope One, RAPPEL ON”, then: “RAPPELLING Rope One.” ONLY then is person to begin rappel.
  NOTE: Race volunteers at top of rock; please assist and remind racers of this for safety reasons. Please insure that this is done!
• (7) Belay volunteer at bottom of rock will use THEIR discretion in SAFETY of rappelling racer. Belay volunteer will not control speed of descent unless necessary in THEIR judgment.
  RACERS WILL NOT QUESTION THE JUDGEMENT OF RACE VOLUNTEERS HERE!
• (8) Once a racer has cleared the rappel at bottom, belay person should yell, “ Rope One, Clear.” All harnesses and gear will be immediately hauled up for next competitor by the assigned race volunteer.
• (9) Once racer has been unhooked from rope, he/she should swim (meet his/her partner if a team) to the marked and designated exit point on the river bank and then return via the marked trail to the Coosa River Boat Ramp to begin paddling section of race.

Steven Sievers
Certified Public Accountant

 T Parker
Auto Sales Inc.
Wetumpka, AL

Wetumpka, Alabama City of Natural Beauty