GRAND TOUR PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS
Below is an important reminder list of the rider requirements for the Grand Tour. Please take the necessary steps to satisfy these before the event!

ANYONE NOT MEETING THE PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE ON THIS YEAR'S GRAND TOUR.

All primary operators of Personal Watercraft must:

• Be a minimum of 14 years of age.
• On-water participants between the ages of 14 and 17 must be accompanied on the water by a parent or legal guardian.
• On-water participants between the ages of 14 and 17 must have completed, passed, have in their possession and provide a copy of their NASBLA approved Boaters Safety Certificate.
• Complete and submit a Grand Tour Registration Form.
• Provide copy of proof of PWC insurance including collision and liability.
• Complete and submit a Grand Tour Pledge Form
• On-water participants are required to raise and submit a minimum of $500.00 in donations on behalf of Leader Dogs for the Blind.
• On-water passengers are required to raise and submit a minimum of$150.00 in donations on behalf of Leader Dogs for the Blind.
• Comply with all PWC equipment requirements

All off-water Participants:

• Land participants must complete a separate Pledge Form and submit a minimum of $75.00 in donations on behalf of Leader Dogs for the Blind.
• All Land Support Personnel must complete a separate Pledge Form and submit a minimum of $250 in donations. Please note that all lodging for the Land Support Staff is paid for by the Grand Tour Committee. (Interested in being on the Land Support Crew? Let us know!)

Donations:
All donation checks should be made payable to "Grand Tour to Benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind."

Personal Watercraft Gear
Anticipating your comfort as well as your personal safety, the Grand Tour.ORGanization has provided a checklist of both mandatory and suggested items that you should have on board your personal watercraft during the Grand Tour. Unlike a typical day at your local lake, this tour will require that you to plan ahead for a full weekend of riding.

A brief word about Hypothermia
Hypothermia simply means that your body is losing heat faster than it can replace it. Prolonged exposure to the cold, wind, water and exhaustion are key components towards hypothermia. At the very least it can leave an individual uncomfortable and irritable. In a worst-case scenario, hypothermia can lead to violent shivering, severe muscle spasms and eventually even death.

It can strike when you least expect it. A cool, cloudy and/or windy summer day out on Lake Michigan, where water temperatures may be anywhere in the 60's, are basic elements that will eventually lead to hypothermia if you're not properly prepared.

It is for this reason the Grand Tour.ORGanization has required that all participants of the Grand Tour wear or carry on board a properly fitting FULL LENGTH WETSUIT or DRYSUIT with appropriate GLOVES and BOOTS.

Although wearing the wet suit during the tour will be optional during favorable conditions, all participants will be required to be equipped and have available the proper gear in case inclement weather should occur.

Although a "shorty" wetsuit may complement the above-required apparel, it will not take its place and will not be accepted as a substitute. If you have any questions regarding proper riding apparel for this year's tour, do not hesitate to contact the Grand Tour.ORGanization.

Grand Tour Mandatory PWC Equipment Requirements:

• U.S.C.G. approved personal flotation device for each person on board
• U.S.C.G. approved fire extinguisher
• Appropriate Lanyard Style Cutoff Device
• Sound producing device, i.e. whistle, air horn
• Boater Registration
• Full wetsuit or dry suit. (Not required to be worn, but MUST have on board)
• Gloves and boots (Not required to be worn, but MUST have on board)
• Eye protection, i.e. sunglasses or full-face goggles (Tip: We highly recommend the kind that float!)
• Two 10-foot dock lines to be used during refueling and overnight securing of watercraft
• Extra spark plugs
• Fully fueled and oiled PWC, ready and waiting on the Grand Mackinaw Inn Beach for Day One
• Appropriate gas money for five marina refueling stops (approx. $200) See "Gas Money-Providing Exact Change."
• Gas money for four manual refueling stops ($40), given to Grand Tour Official at Brinks or at Check-in
• Five gallon gas can (provided full, dropped off at Brink Truck Lines or at Registration). Refueling Support Crew will transport gas can throughout the event
• Two gallons of PWC oil (dropped off at Brink Truck Lines or at Registration). Refueling Support Crew will transport oil throughout the event.   This is not required for 4 stroke machines.

(TIP: For those using the optional PWC Shuttle Service, bring an empty 5-gallon gas can and an your empty PWC gas tank into Holland, then fill both just at the gas station directly across the street from Brink Truck Lines.)

Note:
1) The gasoline cost identified is reasonably accurate, but no one can predict the cost of gasoline by the time the Grand Tour takes place. Should prices stay reasonable, the costs identified here should be sufficient.

2) All gasoline that is purchased for the manual refueling stops is mid-grade (89 octane). Should you desire or require a high octane gasoline, you will be charged an extra $5.00 when you drop off your gas can at Brinks or when you register at Check-in. Make sure your can is clearly labeled, and you let the Grand Tour Officials know you require the premium gasoline

PLEASE NOTE!
Omission of any one of the above items is automatic grounds for termination of your on-water participation of the Grand Tour. Your full cooperation will help to ensure the success and safety of this year's tour. Thank you.

Grand Tour Suggested Items to Bring
Bottled Water (non-glass)
Snack Food
25' Tow Line
Anchor Bag
Sun Block
Chap Stick for lips
Waterproof Camera
Back Support
Hat and Towel
Rain Poncho (to wear over wet suit)
Tool Kit
Bandana / Handkerchief

(TIP: The Grand Tour.ORGanization highly recommends the removal of all finger jewelry during the event.)