What on earth is NASCARP?
Over the last decade of holding Flyathlon events, we have received more than our fair share of Flyathlon "team" inquiries. They typically go something like this:
"I don't run, like EVER. But I've got a buddy who runs. And we both like beer. Can we compete in the Flyathlon as a relay team?"
Which got us thinking about creating a relay race. Not to meet the ridiculous need identified above, but rather to create a Flyathlon event where teamwork reigns supreme. To date, all Flyathlon events and non-event Flyathlon challenges (e.g. Troutman, FKF, Fish Slapping) are all fundamentally individualistic pursuits / accomplishments.
We mean to mix things up with NASCARP?
OK, this sounds idiotic, but I'm more than a little bit curious. Tell me more...
In a Flyathlon NASCARP race, teams of two "drivers" alternate to complete 6 laps of a course. A team can have up to two additional members to serve in their pit crew who are essential members of a team that can help to figure out the fishing and serve as actual designated drivers (if necessary) post race.
One NASCARP lap consists of:
Winning teams are crowned as the fastest in each Division to complete their six laps, six fish, and six refueling beverages.
Wait there's more than one Division?
Indeed. To be welcoming of beer enthusiasts and non-beer-enthusiasts alike, we have two NASCARP Divisions, Leaded (alcoholic refueling beverages) and Unleaded (non-alcoholic refueling beverages) (e.g. Mountain Dew, Red Bull, Athletic Brewing NA beers).
Over the last decade of holding Flyathlon events, we have received more than our fair share of Flyathlon "team" inquiries. They typically go something like this:
"I don't run, like EVER. But I've got a buddy who runs. And we both like beer. Can we compete in the Flyathlon as a relay team?"
Which got us thinking about creating a relay race. Not to meet the ridiculous need identified above, but rather to create a Flyathlon event where teamwork reigns supreme. To date, all Flyathlon events and non-event Flyathlon challenges (e.g. Troutman, FKF, Fish Slapping) are all fundamentally individualistic pursuits / accomplishments.
We mean to mix things up with NASCARP?
OK, this sounds idiotic, but I'm more than a little bit curious. Tell me more...
In a Flyathlon NASCARP race, teams of two "drivers" alternate to complete 6 laps of a course. A team can have up to two additional members to serve in their pit crew who are essential members of a team that can help to figure out the fishing and serve as actual designated drivers (if necessary) post race.
One NASCARP lap consists of:
- Running a fixed loop course...
- ...catching and safely releasing a fish within the designated start / finish / fishing / spectating area...
- ..."refueling" before the other driver is released to complete the next lap.
Winning teams are crowned as the fastest in each Division to complete their six laps, six fish, and six refueling beverages.
Wait there's more than one Division?
Indeed. To be welcoming of beer enthusiasts and non-beer-enthusiasts alike, we have two NASCARP Divisions, Leaded (alcoholic refueling beverages) and Unleaded (non-alcoholic refueling beverages) (e.g. Mountain Dew, Red Bull, Athletic Brewing NA beers).
Team Laws Whiskey House / Skoal dominated the proof-of-concept pilot race held at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk State Park near Ridgway, CO in 2023.
Sounds pretty epic. What are the full rules?
Although the back of the napkin original regulations included such barbaric things as molar removal, we have softened / streamlined the rules to include the following:
Although the back of the napkin original regulations included such barbaric things as molar removal, we have softened / streamlined the rules to include the following:
- Drivers must alternate laps and successfully complete each component of each lap before the other driver is released for their lap.
- When a driver is in their off-lap, they may serve as a member of the pit crew.
- Pit crew members on a given team CAN dial in the fishing while a driver is out on the course, net a driver's fish, take photos, and crack open the driver's refueling beverage once the fish has been safely released by the driver.
- Pit crew members on a given team CANNOT hook a fish for a driver, release the fish, or drink any portion of a driver's refueling beverage.
- Pit crews may move around the fishing area but should not invade or interfere in anyway with another team's pitting / fishing area.
- Running Rules
- Runners must possess their Team's running baton (i.e. a can of chew) while out on the running course. Violations of this rule observed by a Course Marshall can and should result in a penalty lap.
- Shortcutting of any kind observed by a Course Marshall can and should result in a penalty lap.
- There are likely to be others on these trails during a NASCARP event, and those folks should be treated with the utmost respect. Slow down, say hello, and move along. A-Hole behavior observed by a Course Marshall or reported by someone using the trails can and should result in a penalty lap and or disqualification (depending on severity).
- Runners must possess their Team's running baton (i.e. a can of chew) while out on the running course. Violations of this rule observed by a Course Marshall can and should result in a penalty lap.
- Fishing Rules
- Drivers may utilize any legal means of fishing, determined by the fishing regulations at the given course.
- Drivers and any fishing member of the pit crew must have a valid fishing license.
- Members of the pit crew CANNOT hook a fish for a driver but CAN help the driver in netting a fish.
- Fish must be handled and released using Keep Fish Wet techniques. Violations of this rule observed by a Course Marshall can and should result in a penalty lap.
- There are likely to be others fishing on the course during a NASCARP event, and those folks should be treated with the utmost respect. Do not encroach on their fishing space! A-Hole behavior observed by a Course Marshall or reported by someone fishing can and should result in a penalty lap and or disqualification (depending on severity).
- Refueling Rules
- A driver may not begin refueling until the captured fish has been successfully and safely released.
- Once a driver is finished refueling, the refueling vessel must be turned upside down to document completeness of refueling. Significant spillage observed by a Course Marshall can and should result in a penalty lap.
The start of the three team proof-of-concept pilot race held at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk State Park near Ridgway, CO in 2023.
What is the point of NASCARP?
Aside from creating a fun team Flyathlon environment, we plan to raise money for native fish conservation with our NASCARP events. During registration, we will ask our NASCARP teams to commit to recruiting "team sponsors" and hitting a minimum fundraising threshold, in part through those sponsorships. We envision that our teams will have great fun with this portion of the event by creating team-specific sponsor-emblazoned NASCARP-style pit shirts.
Are there actually any NASCARP events?
Indeed there are. The Inaugural NASCARP Davis Ponds Cup will be held on June 1st, 2024 at Staunton State Park just outside of Denver, Colorado.
"If you ain't first, you're last!" -Ricky Bobby
Aside from creating a fun team Flyathlon environment, we plan to raise money for native fish conservation with our NASCARP events. During registration, we will ask our NASCARP teams to commit to recruiting "team sponsors" and hitting a minimum fundraising threshold, in part through those sponsorships. We envision that our teams will have great fun with this portion of the event by creating team-specific sponsor-emblazoned NASCARP-style pit shirts.
Are there actually any NASCARP events?
Indeed there are. The Inaugural NASCARP Davis Ponds Cup will be held on June 1st, 2024 at Staunton State Park just outside of Denver, Colorado.
"If you ain't first, you're last!" -Ricky Bobby