RegattaCentral

CANCELLATION NOTICE - SUNDAY MARCH 15th, 2020

The Board of the False Creek Rowing Club had a long chat about this Sunday’s regatta this evening (Tuesday night), and after considering what happened when it snowed a few years ago we are cancelling the event. The wind and temperatures are just not going to make this a safe event.

If hypothermic conditions create situations where people’s immune systems are suppressed that’s not the sort of event we want to be associated with.

Thank you everyone for the efforts and commitments you have made to attend this event.

Welcome to the False Creek Rowing Club's 10th Head Up The Creek regatta.

Staging from Vancouver's Vanier Park on land that was originally the Squamish Nation's Snauq village we welcome you to our Head Race on False Creek that will determine which crew is the City of Vancouver Rowing Champion.

Raising Money For Andrea

This year we ask that every competitor please donate to help Andrea Proske from our country's national rowing team get to Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics. She and her partner Gabrielle Smith are likely going to be rowing in the women's double! If everyone could please contribute $10, $20 or $50 towards Andrea and her teammates so they can buy groceries, gas and keep training as they row for us this summer that would be super! 

These payments are optional, and in addition to regatta fees or seat fees - the links take you to WaveApps, our payment processing agent. Or you can add a little something when you register your entry.

Event Schedule

• 7:45 am Bow Person and Cox meeting at the top of the ramp by the map.
• 8:00 am Chief Umpires meeting with Regatta Chair
• 8:15 am Launch opens for para rowers.
• 8:30 am Big Boats Launch OPENS - first flight
• 9:00 am Big Boat Launch CLOSES - first flight
• 9:00 am Small Boats Launch OPENS - first flight
• 9:20 am Small Boats Launch CLOSES - first flight
• 9:30 am FIRST FLIGHT START: Big Boats first, Small Boats after.
• 10:25 am First Flight completes
• 10:30 am Big Boats Launch OPENS - second flight
• 11:00 am Big Boat Launch CLOSES - second flight
• 11:00 am Small Boats Launch OPENS - second flight
• 11:20 am Small Boats Launch CLOSES - second flight
• 11:30 am SECOND FLIGHT START: Big Boats first, Small Boats after.
• 12:20 pm Second Flight completes
• 1:00 pm Prizegiving!

Prize Groupings are as follows:

1. Best performing Novice Crew: 8+, 4x, 4+
2. Men 8+, Men 4x, Men 4+ - average boat age under 19
3. Men 8+, Men 4x, Men 4+ - average boat age 19 and over
4. Women 8+, Women 4x, Women 4+ - average boat age under 19
5. Women 8+, Women 4x, Women 4+ - average boat age 19 and over
6. Mixed 8+, Mixed 4x, Mixed 4+ - average boat age under 19
7. Mixed 8+, Mixed 4x, Mixed 4+ - average boat age 19 and over
8. Men 2x, Men 1x - average boat age under 19
9. Men 2x, Men 1x - average boat age 19 and over
10. Women 2x, Women 1x - average boat age under 19
11. Women 2x, Women 1x - average boat age 19 and over
12. Mixed 2x - average boat age under 19
13. Mixed 2x - average boat age 19 and over
14. Para entries

There are no handicaps within each prize grouping, with the exception of Group 1 (the best performing Novice crew compared to their expected time will be the winner in this category). Winners of Groups 1 through 7 receive a cake, Winners of groups 8 through 14 receive cupcakes. Everyone wins a sense of a job well done. 

There will also be recognition of crews that launch efficiently and those that dawdle. It's not that big a dock that we can't see you.

City of Vancouver Rowing Champion

The overall winner of the regatta is appointed the City of Vancouver Rowing Champion and get their names emblazoned on the perpetual trophy and get commemorative T-Shirts, as well as a cake. The selection of overall winner is determined by comparing predicted times loosely based on RCA Gold Standards (which account for gender and boat type) and RCA masters age handicapping (extended to younger rowers), by boat type, stated gender and age, able bodied and para status. And for 2020, we also take into account the turns your boats make and the impact that has on your speed.

Boat Classes and Entries

The race is open to 8+, 4+, 4x, 4x+, 2x and 1x entries. 4x+ entries should submit their entries under the 4x category. There are no pairs or straight four entries permited.

Each boat type is open to crews of any age from Under 15 to really really old. Crew age is based on crew average and there is no requirement for all members to be under a certain age. For example: a 26 year old racing with three 14 year olds is therefore in a boat with a boat average of 17, qualifying them as Youth or Under 19 crew for prize determination. They might also find parents who do not think highly of at least 1 person's actions waiting for them at the dock.

National Team members are welcome to row, but must row as part of a member club of RCA. 

Safety:

Your bow balls must be at least the minimum size, well attached and functional. Heel ties may only allow the heel to rise up a maximum of 7 cm and you must be able to release your shoes with a single hand.

The waterway is not closed to other marine traffic and under the Transport Canada Vessel Operating Restriction Regulations, everyone has right of way over racing shells. However, it is March and we are working with the ferry operators to ensure a safe regatta.  

The weather is frequently cold at this time of year. Staying warm is more important than uniforms. We appreciate you displaying your club colours but please don't do so if it means you get cold. 

Ferries, barges and commercial traffic have right of way over racing vessels. Safety boats and course marshals will be assisting the ferry operators in charting safe courses during the event.

We aren't rowing in the snow this year. If there is a layer of snow like their was in 2017, the regatta will be cancelled.

If you fall in, get out of the water as fast as you can - get onto your boat at the very least. Rescued rowers will not be allowed to continue rowing. 

Launching:

Boats will launch in order of start. The earlier you launch, the better chance you have of having a look at the course and seeing where the pirate fleet is anchored on the Creek. We will start the race on time. If you make an appearance after the other crews have started rowing and while other crews have started racing you may be placed at the end of the launch queue and no warm up for you. As boats can row up to the start while racing begins races may begin without you. Boats not presenting themselves to the start marshal within 1 minute of the last boat of the crews previously assembled in the marshalling area will be considered scratched.

Bow numbers will be handed out at the Control Commission. 

Scratching from your event: 

Please inform the control commission if you are not participating in your scheduled event. Your entry fees are forfeited, but there are no additional scratch fees.