RegattaCentral

RULES

- TRAILER PARKING and LAUNCH SITE -

Trailers may park and unload shells at the boathouse on Friday night between 5 and 8 pm, or on Saturday morning beginning at 7:30 am. The regatta committee will provide security for shells stored overnight at the regatta site, but cannot guarantee the safety of all equipment.

- ENTRIES -

All competitors may participate in multiple events. Competitors are responsible for allowing sufficient time to race in one event, land, re-queue, and launch in time for an additional event.

Competitors will not be allowed to land or launch out of order, and hot-seating of athletes and/or boats is strongly discouraged. The Regatta Committee accepts no responsibility for missed start times and will not issue refunds on that basis.

Entries must be received no later than Tuesday, September 28 at 11:59:59 pm. Entries are to be submitted online via www.regattacentral.com. No mailed entries will be accepted. Registration is open from Tuesday, September 7 to Tuesday, September 28.  Late entries can be requested and, if accepted, are subject to a $20 fee per entry.

Masters competitors must submit date(s) of birth for all competitors during the entry process. Crews with missing or incomplete date of birth information will race as a 27-year-old rower. The Regatta Committee reserves the right to limit the number of entries in any one event. Confirmed entries will be posted on the Regatta Central website.

- REGISTRATION -

Scullers and crew representatives must report to Regatta Registration at one of two times: Friday, October 1 from 5 - 8 PM or Saturday, October 2 from 7 - 10 AM. The registration desk will be located at the southeast corner of the boathouse, directly adjacent to the parking area. All scratches must be reported at least one (1) hour prior to an event and no later than 11:00 a.m. on race day. 

- SAFETY -

All shells must be equipped with a bow ball. Each set of shoes within the shell must be equipped with properly-secured heel tie-downs.

- REFUNDS -

The regatta committee will not refund scratches communicated to the regatta after the September 28, 2010 entry close date.

- SCHEDULE -

Races begin at 10:00 am. A lunch break are built into the schedule and will be used to get back on schedule as needed. A schedule of events is available on RegattaCentral. Please do not schedule the same equipment/people in races less than 45 minutes apart. This ensures that boats/crews have enough time to make the 3 km row to the start comfortably. Boats will not be allowed to row outside their scheduled times, unless directed to do so by officials.

If you wish to drop a boat from a race, please notify registration and the dockmaster at least 45 minutes before the scheduled start of the race

- CLASSIFICATIONS -

The following definitions are used at this regatta:

* Masters are 27 years of age or older
* Junior rowers have been enrolled in high school in 2010, and are under 19 as of 12/31/10. 
* Novice athletes are high school & college rowers in their first year of rowing. 
* Recreational events are intended for first year and non-competitive adult rowers. Please be fair.

- BOW MARKERS -

Bow markers and back tags will be distributed from a desk at the launch area. Bow markers must be returned at the conclusion of racing. A $10.00 charge will be assessed if the bow markers are not returned. All shells must have bow clips to race.

- HANDICAPS FOR MASTERS EVENTS (Head Race Only) -

Handicaps are figured on average age of the crew, not counting the coxswain. Handicaps will be assigned by age class. Rowers competing as masters who fail to provide ages for each rower in the boat will not be given any handicap.

- COLORS -

We ask that all members of a crew wear shirts of a uniform design and color to help officials in identifying crews.

- PROTESTS -

Any protests must be filed on the water to a referee or to the dockmaster. Your team will be assessed a $25 fee for protests, although the fee will be returned if your protest is upheld. Protests will be forwarded to the head referee for consideration.

- PARTICIPANT LIABILITY - 

Coaches and participants are reminded that participation in the regatta involves a moderate risk of injury and/or property damage. While the regatta organizers will take all reasonable measures to ensure the safety of participants, officials and volunteers, participation in the regatta is at one's own risk and responsibility for claims deriving from personal injury, damage or loss. While the regatta committee provides security for shells at the regatta site on Friday night, visiting crews are advised to take all reasonable precautions as the regatta committee cannot guarantee the safety of equipment.

- SPORTSMANSHIP -

All participants, coaches, and spectators are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship. Disrespectful language or behavior may be subject to disqualification from the regatta.  

- REGULATION -

The Grand River Challenge is administered by the Grand Rapids Rowing Association. The regatta is not currently registered as a USRowing-sanctioned event, although the USRowing Rules of Rowing are generally utilized. All junior athletes, including scholastic teams, are welcome at the regatta and are encouraged to participate.

The event is neither governed nor sanctioned by the Scholastic Rowing Association of Michigan.

Cell phones and other electronic external communication devices are not allowed in racing shells.

The Regatta Committee reserves the right to rule on any situations not specifically covered in these rules and assess penalties as appropriate.

RULES SPECIFIC TO THE HEAD RACE 

- LAUNCHING -

We will be calling races to launch, but it is the crew's responsibility to launch on time. Have boats ready to launch (with correct bow markers) at least 30 minutes prior to the official race start time. All crews should plan on a 3 km downstream row to the start. As a general rule, departing boats will have priority over arriving boats. Watch for arriving crews with a bright green card; they are hot seating. There will be a dockmaster to help coordinate traffic, but please respect other teams and move quickly and efficiently.

- HOT SEATING -

If your boat requires hot seating for a crew right after your race, check with the dockmaster before approaching the dock for your race. If she/he approves, they will give you a bright green "Hot Seat" card. When you have finished your race and are returning to the dock, the coxswain should hold up the card up so it is visible to the dockmaster. The finish official and dockmaster will make every effort to give you priority docking, but safety and fairness are their primary responsibilities. Coaches and team members on shore should make sure the hot-seating rowers are ready in the launch area.

- TRAFFIC PATTERN -

Large white buoys will be used to divide the river to separate downstream (warm-up/return) and upstream (racing) traffic. All boats must keep the white buoys to port side at all times, whether warming up or racing. Colored buoys will be used to demarcate the race course.Oars may cross the buoy line, but the hull may not cross. Anytime a hull violates the buoy line, a 10-second penalty will be assessed.

Orange buoys mark shallow areas and submerged hazards. They are self enforcing. We make every effort to mark all hazards, but the river changes constantly. Crowd the orange buoys at your own risk.

The bridge span shells should use will be marked with flags.

- STARTING -

Be sure you have firmly attached your correct bow marker. (They are pre-assigned and are included in your club race packet from the registration tent).

Be at the start at least 5 minutes before the official start time of your race. (The distance to the start from the launch area is approximately 3 km, and may take 20-25 minutes at a warm-up pace.)

This is a flying start, in single file. Line up in order of your bow marker numbers, from lowest to highest. (A 10-second penalty may be assessed for boats missing their place in the starting order or interfering with crews approaching the start. Boats may be assessed a 60-second penalty for having an incorrect bow marker or no bow marker.)

As directed by the starter or marshall, cross the starting line at race pace 10 to 20 seconds behind the preceding boat.

- RACING RULES -

See the "Traffic Pattern" guidelines for course boundaries and penalties.

Boats racing have the right of way over all other boats. Any non-racing boat that interferes with a race will be subject to a 30-second penalty or possible exclusion from its race.

An overtaking boat is considered to be overtaking when it moves to within a boat length of the boat it's approaching. When passing another boat, the overtaking boat has the right of way, but is obliged to make it apparent to the boat ahead on which side it wishes to pass. Generally, overtaking boats should pass on the starboard side, since boats warming up will be coming downstream on port side. The boat being overtaken must yield room to the overtaking boat, usually on the outside of a corner. If, in the opinion of the officials, insufficient room is given, a 30-second penalty may be assessed. However, no overtaking boat should press its right of way to the point of collision.

Racing boats interfering with other racing boats will be subject to a 30-second penalty or possible exclusion from the race.

If one or more rowers is ejected from a boat during a race, the affected crew must stop and remain with those individuals until all are safely out of the water or official safety help arrives.

Respect for the safety of other competitors and equipment must be shown at all times. If, in the opinion of the officials, a crew is behaving in a dangerous or reckless manner, that crew may be excluded from its race.

RULES SPECIFIC TO THE STAKE RACE

- LAUNCHING -

The stake race will follow the last head race. All participating shells must launch before the first boats are started.

- STARTING -

Singles will be started first, lined up as for a sprint race, followed by pairs, and then doubles. The starter shall include a delay between each the departure of each class of shell. The start/finish line will be the southernmost point of the dock.

- TRAFFIC PATTERN -

All shells should stay to the west side of the river heading downstream to the term. The third span of the North Park bridge (marked by a flag) should be used while heading downstream.

Just south of the North Park bridge, a referee launch will be anchored in the center of the river. This launch will serve as the stake. All shells should pass the stake boat on the west (the stake boat should be on the port side), and complete a full 180 degree turn across the river, keeping the stake boat to port at all times.

Return to the start/finish line on the east side of the river, using the flagged span of the North Park bridge. T-shirts will be given to all participants, and prizes will be awarded to the first shell to cross the finish line in each class (1x, 2-, 2x).