RegattaCentral

 2009 PR_RegattaPacket5-27-2009_ws.pdf

Welcome to Pittsford Crew's, Pittsford Regatta.    Beginning in 1997 as an exhibition row for the newly formed Pittsford Crew, a high school club, the Pittsford Regatta has grown to the two day event it is today.  Featuring Master rowing on Saturday morning and High school sweep rowing Saturday afternoon and Sunday, the Regatta takes place in the beautiful Village of Pittsford, on the Erie Canal.  Masters events will have a 1600 meter head style course starting at the flood gates near Bushnell's Basin.  High School events will have a straight, 1100 meter course running in two lanes beginning just east of the Mitchell Road Bridge.  Maps of the course are at the end of this document. 

Masters events are Head Race style, culminating an award ceremony. 

High School races are two lane Sprint Races with heats, semis and finals.  Saturday the HS Girls fours and Boys eights will compete and Sunday the Boys fours and Girls eights will be on the water.

All races will finish in the center of Pittsford Village along Schoen Place allowing excellent viewing of the finish line.  Also, the entire course is visible from the towpath that follows the canal.  A word of caution: rules prohibiting coaching from shore will be strictly enforced by the USRA race officials.

Registration:

All registrations are via http://www.RegattaCentral.com

Waivers

This is a USRowing Registered Regatta.

All participants need to supply signed copy of the U S Rowing waiver. 

On-line waivers will NOT be recognized for this event.

Eligibility:

Novices: Any rower that has not participated in a sweep oar event in an on-the-water regatta before July 1, 2008.

For high school events, no rower substitutions are allowed during the race day.

High School events:

The fastest boat in any category from a team must be registered as an 'A' boat and registered in the 'A' boat race.  Second (B) and third (C) entries will be registered in the 'B' races.  Separate medals will be awarded for the 'A' and 'B' races provided there are at least three boats in the race.  Any boat registered in a 'B' race without a boat in the 'A' race will have that registration moved by the organizing committee to the 'A' race.

The venue has two race lanes; therefore we will have heats or time trials as needed, semi's and finals. 

If there are:

1 Boat Registered                No Race

2 Boats                                   Finals only

3 Boats                                   Semi and Final (with 1 Bye)

4 Boats                                   Semi and Final

5 ? 8 Boats                            Heats, Semi and Final (Bye's as needed)

9 + boats                                Time Trial, Semi and Finals

Launching Location & Parking:

The trailer parking and boat launching are at the Village of Pittsford Department of Public Works 1 Village lane.  Directions are available on our web site at: http://pittsfordcrew.org/MapsDirections.htm

Trailers/Car toppers:

There will be parking for trailers on Village Lane.  Parking for cars will be in the adjacent parking lots and in the village for spectators.  Car top carriers will be allowed to park for the time needed to unload adjacent to the launch area.  They are then asked to move their cars so others can do the same.

Hospitality:
Space is limited, so unloading will be allowed but cars can not stay in the launch area. 

Spectator Parking and viewing Location

Hospitality:

Hospitality tent space will be on in the launching area on the grass adjacent to the canal toe path.  This is immediately adjacent to the launch area, the finish line is an easy 5 minute walk along the tow path eastward toward the village.

Free public parking is available in the village at various locations within a 3 minute walk of the venue.  Parking is also available near the launch site.

Practice:

The docks will be installed and available starting late Friday morning.  The course will be set out Friday between 4 and 6 pm.  Please stay clear of the marshals setting the course during that time.

Safety launches will not be on the water for practices.  It is the responsibility of each crew or individual who wants to practice to provide for their own and their crew's safety.

Coaches and Coxswain's Meeting:.

Saturday :

There are 2 coaches/coxswains meetings on Saturday. You should attend the appropriate one.

The one for master coxswains and scullers is at 7:30am.

The high school coaches and coxswains meeting is at 12:00pm.

All boats must maintain the same lineup during the day of racing.

Sunday: Coaches/ coxswain meeting is at 7:15am.

Hints for coxswains at the Pittsford Regatta.  (this mostly applies to high school races).

1. When you launch, know your bow number.  Odd numbers race in the right hand (north, or Lane 1) lane, even numbers in the left hand lane (south, or Lane 2).
2. The start line for the high school match races is a culvert about 100 meters east of the Mitchell Rd. bridge.  The culvert should have a yellow rock on top of it.
3. Don't stray too far from the start.  The regatta usually runs on time, and if it running late they may be trying to make up time.  The judges are there to help you, so you can ask how the schedule is going.
4. Winds are usually westerly.  At the start, this means the wind comes from the port side. (about 10:30, if 12 o'clock is straight ahead) When you line up for the start, stay more to the left so that if the wind pushes you to the right, you have some room.  This does not mean you can crowd the other crew if you are in Lane 1.
5. On the way down to the start, look at the stone wall that is on the north side of the canal just east of the Rt. 31 (green) bridge.  If you are racing in lane 1, and you hug the shore when racing, you will hit this wall.  That is not recommended, as the stone may scratch your boat.
6. When racing, and you pass under the Rt. 31 bridge, the shore on the right side bends away from the race course.  Many coxswains make the mistake of following the shore after this bridge.  You should be able to see the finish line buoys, head straight for them and do not follow the shore.

Lunching:

All crews should anticipate launching 30 minutes prior to their published race time.  Listen for bow numbers to be called by the dock master or his assistants.  Plan to come down the ramp such that you bow is pointed west (away from the race course, to the right as you face the water). Tie in on the water, not at the dock. We will make every attempt to maintain the schedule.  Please be aware that this means some boats can not be re-rigged between rows.

If you intend to hot seat any boats, please be advised that the race schedule will take precedence.  You must advice the dock master in advance of any hot seating that might affect the launching sequence.

All boats must have:

Bow balls, Bow Numbers in the bow clip, heel straps tied down to within 3" in accordance with USRA rules.  Boats with a large radius on the bow (Alden type shells) do not need a bow ball.  Flotation compartments must be tight.

Traffic Pattern:

The traffic pattern is counterclockwise.  From the launch, proceed westbound a short distance to the turn-around buoy, then proceed to the start staying to the right.  The channel to the start will be marked with red buoys, stay between the red buoys and the shore.  Hazards will be marked with green buoys.  It is each crew's responsibility to not interfere with boats on the race course and to proceed to the start without delay or delaying other crew's progress to the start. 

**Crews heading to the start must stop and be completely off the race lane as a race approaches. 

As you proceed down the course, be aware of docks that jut out from shore.

Masters should look for the bow number that precedes them and be ready to start in bow number order.

High school crews, at the start, be aware of your race time, your lane and stay in the area of the crew with whom you are to race.  Line up in accordance with the marshal's instructions. 

Lane 1 (odd bow numbers) right lane, same side of canal that boats launch from

Lane 2 (even bow numbers) left lane

Once underway on the course, the center of the lanes will be marked in yellow.

Once you pass the Finish line, and the JR raises the white flag, proceed back to the dock.  Coxswain's, please: watch and listen for instruction as to where to dock.

Coxswains who are in need of assistance, or have a rower needing assistance, or lodging a protest, should raise their hand.

Course: See maps at end of document

The master's race course starts at the flood gates and will run Head Race style to the finish in the Village.  You may race up either lane when on the high school portion of the course.

The High School races will start just past the Mitchell Road Bridge (black metal bridge).  These will be Sprint races in two lanes with the same finish in the village.

Protests: 

Protests regarding safety issues, being at the start on time, etc. shall be made to the Judge at the Start.  Leaving the start area (starting the race) signifies acceptance of fairness of the start or that you have lodged your protest.

If a crew feels it is being unfairly delayed in rowing up to the start, communicate with one of the safety marshal on the way to the start and protest to the JR at the Start.

Protests regarding safety issues, failure to yield right of way, and passing, unsportsmanlike conduct must be made to the marshal at the Finish, on the water.  Leaving the finish area signifies acceptance of the fairness of the race or that you have lodged your protest.

Penalties:

Penalties will be assessed by the USRA Officials at their discretion on site. 

The penalty for late at the start line (2 minutes prior to start time) is a warning (equivalent to one false start), or, if beyond the time of the race start, exclusion. 

Violation of the traffic pattern to the start = 1 false start assessment

2 false starts = exclusion

Unsportsmanlike behavior: Disqualification from the regatta.

This does not constitute a comprehensive list of potential infractions and penalties.  Final judgments will be made by the USRA Judge/Referees on site.

Light Weight Races:

Light weight crews will adhere to USRA guidelines of:

Boys ? 155 lbs.

Girls - 130 lbs.

This will be by the Honor system (no weigh-in)

Medals:

First place medals only, will be awarded if there are two boats registered in an event.  First and Second Place Medals will be awarded in all races with three or more registrants.  Medals will be available at the registration area when the final race is declared official. 

Crews finishing first will be awarded 2 points, and second place will earn 1 point. 

There are three trophies awarded at an award ceremony across from the finish line tent in the Port of Pittsford Park.  The Village of Pittsford Trophy is awarded to the Girls' team with the most points.  The Town of Pittsford trophy goes to the boys' team with the most points and the overall team trophy is the New York State Canal trophy.

Course Map:

Masters: 1600 Meters

High School Sprints: 1100 Meters