Instructions for Competitors
Competitors should note the following. The full set of rules can be viewed in the rules and regulations section. It is recommended that all competitors make themselves aware of the full set of rules. Competitors are reminded that winners are asked to dress smartly with no kit for the presentation. Only complete crews will be presented with their medals and the trophy. Each winning crew will be sent a commemorative photograph of themselves with the trophy at the presentation.
1) Substitutions and Withdrawals.
1.1) Up to 50% of the crew may be substituted after the close of entries and before 9am on Monday 9th June. No oarswoman shall be substituted after this time without the consent of the committee.
1.2) No competitor may be substituted down an event category.
1.3) Any crew withdrawing from the regatta must do so in writing.
1.4) The Committee will examine the withdrawal of any crew after the close of entries and reserves the right to exclude the club from all other events at the regatta.
1.5) Any competitor withdrawing from an event will not be allowed to substitute into any other event at the regatta.
2) Registration.
2.1) A representative of the crew, or sculler, must report to the Entries Secretary not later than 45 minutes before their first race. Crews will be given an Entry Confirmation form, which will be used as a weight certificate for coxswains and lightweight competitors. (Lightweight competitors must also see note 3.4 below)
2.2) Racing licences with photo attached (or, in the case of crews from overseas, other acceptable documents) must be presented before numbers are issued.
2.3) All racing licences/photo ID must be handed in to the Entries Secretary before boating for finals otherwise the crew may be prevented from racing
3) Weighing In.
3.1) Coxswains must comply with ARA rule 2-3-7 (any necessary deadweight must be provided by the competitor).
3.2) All coxswains must report to the Control Commission, to be weighed before their first race on each day.
3.3) The Regatta reserves the right to re-weigh the coxswain and/or dead weight at any time during the regatta.
3.4) Lightweight competitors shall be weighed each day, not less than 1 hour and not more than 2 hours before the scheduled start time of the first race that day of the event in which they are entered. See ARA rule 2-3-6 and 3-3-1. Competitors with a bye are only required to weigh in on days when they are racing.
4) Safety and Circulation.
4.1) In order to avoid congestion in the starting area, crews may not boat more than 40 minutes before their race time.
4.2) Failure to observe the Circulation Pattern, or obey instructions from Marshals, may result in disqualification.
4.3) The first named crew in each race will have the Berkshire (regatta) station.
4.4) All competitors must be in the start area at least 5 minutes before the advertised time of their race and be attached to the stake boat 2 minutes before their race. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action or exclusion from the race.
4.5) In the event of delays to racing, the Start Marshal, in conjunction with Race Control, will instruct crews and Umpires of any action to be taken.
4.6) In the event of a dead heat the crews will re-row from The Start.
4.7) Any crew going further than 300m up-stream of the finish OR beyond the end of the warming up zone at the start may be disqualified. (see map)
4.8) After finishing their race (at Remenham Club) crews must turn off the course onto the Berkshire (towpath) side in order to return to the rafts.
4.9) All crews must boat from the Regatta rafts at Remenham Farm. Local club crews may obtain special permission to boat from their clubhouse. These crews must call in at the rafts on their way to the start for their boats to be inspected.
5) Practice Outings.
5.1) Practice outings are not permitted during the hours of racing and all crews must be off the water 30 minutes before the start of racing.
5.2) Safety boats will only be in position during the hours of racing.
5.3) Boat racks will be available on the Regatta Site from Tuesday 17th June.
6) Boating at the Regatta
6.1) All crews MUST boat from the regatta site during the regatta unless permission in writing has been obtained from the Entries Secretary
6.2) Crews not storing their boats on the regatta site MUST NOT return to their host boathouse during the hours of racing unless permission in writing has been obtained from the Entries Secretary.
7) Removal of boats from racks on the regatta site
7.1) All boats must be removed from the racks on the regatta site by the end of Sunday 22nd June or they will have to be removed by the committee at the competitors risk and expense.
8) Car Parking
Car parking tickets will be sent to the name appearing on the entry form as the contact for the club/crew. Car park tickets are issued as 3 for an eight, 2 for a four/quad, one for doubles/pairs, and singles. Car parking is in the Hillside car park. Competitors may pay an additional fee to park in Riverside car park. Car parking charges are made by the Copas Partnership who own the land.
9) Insurance.
It is a condition of entry that clubs and competitors must take out their own third party insurance cover. Responsibility for loss or damage to their boats, equipment or other property on the Regatta site or elsewhere will not be accepted by the Regatta.
10) Race documentation
Copies of the draw, safety information etc will be emailed to the contact given on the entry. Please ensure information is circulated as appropriate. Posted copies will be sent only if requested.