RegattaCentral

Contact Lee Frost for practice arrangements ([email protected])

State rule:  ground stakes are no longer allowed for team tents.  Violators are subject to a $1,500 fine.  All tents need to be anchored with weights only.

RULES:  (other info follows) (Revised September 11, 2015)

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

HOT SEATING  IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. HOT SEATING WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO DELAY THE LAUNCH OF ANY FLIGHT TO THE START LINE.

Course:
The Lift Bridge Regatta is rowed over a 3862 meter course beginning at the guard gate east of the Interstate 490 bridge and finishing at Perinton Park. 

All events will start at the guard gate and finish at Perinton Park.

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 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 officials. Eights will launch in reverse bow order to facilitate lining up for the race at the Start line.

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. 

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

Buoys mark the run up lane, and the inside corner of the turn. Boats are subject to a 10 second penalty for cutting the turn short.

Start:
Entrants are 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. 

It is essential 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 may result in a major (30 second) penalty.

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 past Perinton Park 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 violation and will result in a 30 second penalty.

To return to the docks, move to the north side of the canal (the side nearest to the park) carefully with safety in mind and LISTEN for the Finish Marshall's instructions.  Interference at this point could result in a 30 second penalty. You may be 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. The race will not be held to accommodate hot seating of rowers.

Weights:

Lightweight youth:  Girls 130 pounds; Boys 150 pounds (per US Rowing Rule 4-104.3 for 2016).

No weigh-in will be conducted. Crews must stick to the honor rule.

Registration:
Competitors must register by the time designated on Regatta Central for this regatta.  If you do not register during the designated registration time, you may not be allowed to race. Any rare exceptions are at the discretion of the Local Organizing Committee, confirmed by the USRA Chief Referee.

Bow Numbers:
Bow Numbers 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.

Bow clips:
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 per USRA rules.

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

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

3. 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.
4. Boats must proceed upstream within the restraints of course buoys and without boats currently racing.
5. Boats not observing course rules and/or impeding other crews shall be penalized at the discretion of Regatta officials.
6. Coaches are not permitted in the marshalling area near the start.  NO COACHES past the guard gates. 
7. It is expressly prohibited 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. Following on a bike, without coaching, is not prohibited. Exclusion is subject to the chief referee.
8. Protests must first be made to the finish line referee. Following the oral report, protests will then be made 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 youth rowers (less than 18 years of age) must have a verified electronic waiver OR paper waiver.   All rowers age 18 or more, must have either a verified electronic waiver on file with US Rowing, or provide a signed paper copy.

All Masters participants must have either a verified electronic waiver on file with US Rowing, or provide a signed paper copy.

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 or the porta-potties at the race site and reserve the boathouse restrooms for athletes and race officials.

Please contact Lee Frost at [email protected] for questions concerning practicing on the course.

Entry Fees:

Single (1x):  $35

Double (2x):  $40

Four w/ Cox (4+):  $65

Eight w/ Cox (8+):  $90

State rules:  ground stakes are no longer allowed for team tents.  Violators are subject to imposition of a $1,500 fine.  All tents need to be anchored with weights only.