RegattaCentral

Important rule:  NO team site set up until the day of the event.  As per Town of Perinton.

New State rules:  ground stakes are no longer allowed for team tents.  $1500 fine.  All tents need to be anchored with weights only

RULES:  other info follows

Seeding based on last year's results, new entries by random draw.

 

NO HOT SEATING OF ANY SHELLS WILL BE ALLOWED

 

Course:
The Lift Bridge Regatta is rowed over a 5400 meter course beginning at the guard gate east of the Interstate 490 bridge and finishing in the Village of Fairport, just west of the historic Lift Bridge.. 

Novice events will start at the power lines part way through the normal course.  The finish line will be the same for all events.

Launch Site:
Boats are to launch from the docks at the FCC Boathouse. Priority will be given to boats launching for an event. All boats should launch no later than 45 minutes prior to the start of their event. A Dockmaster will be present to expedite boat traffic. ALWAYS launch and dock with the bow pointed away from the village (upstream). There is a 60 second limit for time on the dock,  the dockmaster can and will impose penalties for excessive time on the dock. Proceed expeditiously upstream to the Start, keeping the orange buoys that mark the racecourse to your port side, and enter the right guard gate, marked with a yellow arrow. After passing through the gate, boats should proceed to the end of the flight and turn towards the start, staying in, or, if necessary, getting into, the proper bow number order. Proceed to the start when told to do so by the race officals.

It is your responsibility to make sure that you do not interfere with any boats racing upstream. Interfering with any boat racing down the course will result in a major 30 second penalty.

Buoys:
Buoys will mark the course. Keep the buoys to port at all times, both going up the canal to the Start and on the course. Certain buoys will mark hazards. Do not try to put your oars over a hazard buoy as it might have drifted and you could hit the hazard it is marking. Do not attempt to go between a course buoy and the shore, even on your way up to the starting line!!!! 

The wide area in the middle section of the course, commonly know as the oxbow area, this area is great for passing.  Another distinguishing landmark is the over head power lines. Be aware as you enter this area.  

Buoys mark run up lane and the inside corner of the turn. 10 second penalty for cutting the turn short.

Start:
Each entrant is responsible for arriving at the marshaling area ten minutes prior to the start of their event. Boats will be started in order by bow number at approximately 10 second intervals (~15-20 second for Novice). Late-arriving boats may lose their starting position or be excluded from the race at the discretion of the Starter. Boats must pass through the starting buoys to be officially recognized.

To do your warm-ups, move past the orange buoys marking the marshaling area at the Start. Make sure you do not continue upstream out of earshot of the marshals.

Late to start:  30 second penalty.

Passing Zone:
Participants are asked not to overtake another boat while under any bridge due to the width of the shells and oars and the approach lane. You should yield into a single file line in this zone with the boat in the lead position having priority in the queue.  Therefore it is most important that shells moving up the course to the start (or returning to the dock after racing) be keenly aware of shells racing down the course that are approaching a bridge.  It is the approaching crew's responsibility not to be under the bridge while crews are racing down.  Time your passage under the bridge VERY carefully. If you must, STOP rowing before going under the bridge. Failure to conform will warrant a penalty.  Violation of  this rule will constitute a major (30 second) violation.

Finish:
Participants not passing between the two finishing buoys with bow marker intact are subject to exclusion from the race. Once beyond the finish line, boats MUST continue rowing to the Parker Street bridge before turning. This is so you do not block the other crews as they cross the line. Impeding  boats that are still racing constitutes a major (30 second) violation.

To return to the docks, move to the north side of the canal dock carefully with safety in mind and LISTEN for the Dockmaster's instructions.  Interference at this point could result in a 30 second penalty. You maybe held, prior to the finish so not to interfere with racing boats.Once again, proceed to the dock with orange buoys on your port side. Use extra caution as you row under the Route 31F bridge.There will be no hot seating of boats.The race will not be held to accommodate hot seating of rowers.

Weights:

Lightweight:  Girls 135#, Boys 165#

No weight-in -- stick to the honor rule.

Registeration:
Competitors must register by Monday, September 23rd.  If you do not register during the designated registration times, you will not be allowed to race. Any rare exceptions, are at the discretion of the Local Organizing Committee, confirmed by the USRA Chief Referee.

Bowmarkers:
Bowmarkers must be picked up at the Registration desk (one per boat per race). All  boats launching must have their bow markers secured. Bow markers will  be collected at the launch site.

Bowclips:
All boats must have a bow clip to which a bow  marker can be secured.

Bowball:
All shells MUST be equipped with a bow  ball.

Heelstraps:
All boats MUST have heel straps securely in place at launch time per USRA rules.

Medals:

Medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.  The crew must beat a boat in order to receive a medal.  For example:

1 boat in the race - no medals awarded

2 boats in the race - Gold Awarded

3 boats in the race - Gold and Silver awarded

4 boats in the race - Gold, Silver and Bronze awarded

Penalties & Protests:

1. Any boat being overtaken must grant the right-of-way to the upcoming boat. An overtaken boat should begin to yield NO LATER THAN the point at  which the overtaking crew is within one boat length of their stern.
2. Boats must proceed upstream within the restraints of course buoys.
3. Boats not observing course rules and/or impeding other crews shall be penalized at the discretion of Regatta officials.
4. Coaches are not permitted in the marshalling area near the start.  NO COACHES past the guard gates
5. It is expressly prohited for coaches to coach their crews from the shore in any manner.  Following on a bike and directing your crews down the course violates the rules of rowing and you and your crew could be penalized or excluded.  Exclusion is subject to the chief referee.

Minor Violations: 10 second penalty (e.g., cutting a buoy)

Major Violations: 30 second penalty (e.g., not granting right of way, coaching from shore, late to the start)

4. Protests must be reported to the Dockmaster immediately upon docking and  then submitted in writing to a USRA official at the Lift Bridge Regatta headquarters containing a concise statement describing the facts  that underlie the protest (including a visual description of the incident in question, bow numbers of protesting and protested crews,and names of witnesses, if any) and the relief that the crew seeks. The protest will include the individual signature of a protesting crew member (usually the cox on a sweep boat) and will be accompanied by a check for $25 made out to the Fairport Crew Club or $25 in cash. The written protest will be submitted to a USRA official at the regatta not more than thirty minutes after finishing that event.

Handicapping:

The GMS handicapping system is used

Waivers:

All participants must have either a verfied electronic waiver on file with US Rowing ((Masters only)US Rowing will provide club with file prior to regatta) or provide a signed paper copy (Youth).

OTHER INFO:

There will be a Food Vendor at the race.  Anyone who wishes may bring money to purchase food from the vendor.


We request that ALL spectators park their cars at Qualitrol's parking lot, on the south side of Fairport Road (Route 31) just west of the bowling alley.

Restrooms are available in Perinton Park and in the boathouse.   We ask that all spectators use the Perinton Park restrooms and porta-potties and reserve the boathouse restrooms for athletes.

 

Entry Fees:

Single (1x):  $30

Double (2x):  $35

Four w/ Cox (4+):  $60

Eight w/ Cox (8+):  $85