2025 Lewisville Punkin Chunkin Event Rules

GENERAL RULES

Competition Structure

1. Competition Categories: Two categories will be judged:

• Distance: Longest throw wins

• Funky Fling: Most creative/entertaining launch (judged by panel)

2. Weight Classes: Machines will compete in two divisions based on projectile weight:

• Light Class: 0-5 pounds

• Heavy Class: 5-10 pounds

Team Requirements

3. Team Registration: All teams must pre-register with the City of Lewisville prior to the event.

4. Team Captain: Each team must designate one team captain who will be responsible for all communications with the Safety and Rules Committee.

5. Team Size and Firing Line Access:

• No limit on total team members

• Only registered team members may operate the machine or be on the firing line

• Maximum of five (5) team members allowed on the firing line around the machine at any time

Projectile Requirements

6. Biodegradable Ballistics Only: All projectiles must be biodegradable as launches will be directed towards Lake Lewisville. Suggested materials include pumpkins, gourds, melons, or other organic materials.

Machine and Operational Requirements

7. Setup Time: All machines must be able to load and fire within three (3) minutes. Teams not ready within this window may be moved to fire last in the round or forfeit their shot at the discretion of competition organizers.

8. Firing Line Boundary: No part of the machine shall cross the firing line during operation.

9. Assigned Areas: All machines must be set up in their assigned areas. Teams will receive location assignments well in advance of the event.

10. Alterations Between Shots: Any modifications to the machine between throws (including but not limited to: adding counterweights, adjusting firing mechanisms, changing tension, etc.) must be immediately reported to both competition organizers and the safety committee, as this may affect scoring and require re-inspection.

Safety Inspections

11. Pre-Event Inspection: A mandatory safety inspection must be completed during event registration. Safety flaws or disqualifying issues will be identified so teams can make corrections before competing.

12. Post-Alteration Inspection: Any changes made after initial inspection require re-inspection before the machine may fire.

Prohibited Items and Behaviors

13. NO ALCOHOL on the firing line at any time.

14. No Glass Bottles permitted anywhere on the premises.

15. No Pets allowed on the firing line.

16. Youth Supervision: All youth in the pit areas must be under competent adult supervision at all times.

Decisions and Appeals

17. Final Rulings: All decisions by judges and the Safety and Rules Committee are final. Team captains may request an explanation of any decision but may not appeal the ruling itself.

YOUTH DIVISION RULES (Ages 11-17)

1. Team Composition: Youth division teams must consist entirely of members between 11 and 17 years of age.

2. Youth Operation Requirement: All aspects of the machine (design, construction, setup, loading, and operation) must be performed by youth team members. If adults must assist with any of these tasks, the machine will be automatically moved to the appropriate adult class.

3. Adult Supervision: ALL youth teams must have competent adult supervision present at all times during the event.

4. Projectile Weight: Youth division projectiles must weigh between 4-10 pounds.

5. General Rules Apply: All general competition, safety, and member rules apply to youth teams.

SCORING SYSTEM

1. Number of Attempts: Each team receives three (3) shots per competition round.

2. Distance Ranking: Teams will be ranked by their longest successful throw.

3. Tiebreaker: In the event of a tie for distance, the winner will be determined by the efficiency rating of the longest shot, calculated as:

Efficiency Rating = Distance of Longest Shot ÷ Measured Force Applied

(Force will be measured using standardized methods determined by competition officials)

4. Funky Fling Category: Judged separately based on creativity, entertainment value, and showmanship. Distance is not a factor in this category.

SAFETY RULES

Personal Protection Equipment

1. MANDATORY PPE: HARD HATS and EYE PROTECTION must be worn by all personnel on the firing line in the pit area at any time during firing—whether during competition or practice.

Prohibited Propulsion Systems

2. No Dangerous Propulsion: Compressed air, combustion systems, or explosives are strictly prohibited.

Inspection and Approval Process

3. No Firing Without Inspection: Machines may not fire until the Safety Committee inspects and approves them as safe for operation.

4. Test Firing: The Safety Committee may require team captains to test-fire their machines during inspection to verify safe operation.

5. Structural Inspection: The Safety Committee reserves the right to require team captains to dismantle any portion of their machine to inspect for rule violations or safety concerns.

6. Defect Prohibition: Any machine found to have structural defects will be prohibited from competing until repaired and re-inspected by the Safety Committee.

Operational Safety Requirements

7. Component Security:

• All cables and cable clamps must be properly sized and installed

• All shackles must have safety ties on pins to prevent loosening

• All mechanical connections must be secure and rated for expected forces

8. Misfire Protection: All catapult and trebuchet machines must have a safety strap or mechanism to secure the throwing arm during loading in case of misfire. Team members are responsible for ensuring everyone stays clear during loading.

9. Area Clearance:

• Team captains must clear the area around and behind their machines during cocking and firing

• Safety Committee will clear the downrange area

• Teams may not fire until a safety officer confirms all areas are clear

• A minimum 30-foot perimeter will be maintained around the expected landing zone

10. Cease-Fire Authority:

• No machine may fire after a cease-fire has been ordered

• If a machine is primed when cease-fire is called, immediately contact the Safety Committee for safe discharge procedures

• All team members must follow Safety Committee instructions immediately

Warning Systems

11. Audible Warning: An air horn or sounding device must be blasted before each team's throw. If the team does not have such a device, the Safety Committee will provide the warning.

Field Safety

12. Restricted Areas: Only official spotters and Safety and Rules Committee members are allowed in the landing field. No team members or spectators may go forward of the firing line during competition.

Enforcement

13. Zero Tolerance: The Safety and Rules Committee has final authority on consequences for rule violations. There will be ZERO TOLERANCE for those who break safety rules. Decisions will be communicated to team captains.

14. Rules Acknowledgment: All team captains must sign the field roster confirming they have received, read, and understand all Punkin Chunkin rules. This signed document will be maintained by the head of the Safety Committee. Teams cannot compete without a signed roster.

MACHINE SPECIFICATIONS

Trebuchet Class

• Machine shall use swinging or fixed counterweights for propulsion

• A mechanical device may be used to cock/load the machine

• Must comply with all general safety requirements

• No compressed air, combustion, or explosive propulsion permitted

Other Machine Classes

(Additional machine classes may be defined by organizers and announced prior to the event. All machines must comply with general safety and propulsion restrictions.)