RegattaCentral

Regatta Policies:

1. ENTRIES

a. All entries must be registered via Regatta Central and paid for by the deadline posted on Regatta Central.  Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Regatta Director.  Late entries that are accepted will be assessed an additional late entry fee equal to 50% of the entry fee. Unpaid entries will not be permitted to race. 

b. Complete registration information must be submitted by the registration deadline.  Missing or fictitious ages, names, abbreviations, initials, etc. must be corrected by the registration deadline.  Entries with incomplete information will be deemed scratched and treated as such.

c. Scratched entries will be refunded their entry fees up until the registration deadline less any administration costs.  Entries scratched after that deadline will not be refunded.

d. Events must have a minimum of two entries.  Races with only one entry may be combined with another event or canceled.  In the event of race cancellation due to insufficient entries, the entry fee will be refunded.

e. Should the Regatta be canceled by the Race Director prior to race day, entry fees shall be partially refunded or credited towards next year's regatta.  Races canceled on the day of the Regatta due to river conditions or inclement weather will not be refunded.

2. STARTING

a.  Prior to the Regatta, the starting order will be determined by random draw.  Bow numbers will be assigned to each boat according to this order and distributed along with a schedule in race-day Registration Packets.  Boats will be called to the launch dock by race number and bow numbers.  Boats launching from other locations will be called at the discretion of their dockmasters.  Boats on the river must position themselves in the marshaling area (marked on the course map) so they can start in the bow number sequence.  Bow numbers will be collected at the return docks.

b. The Starter will space boats so that each shell crosses the starting line at regular intervals. 

c. Buoys will approximate both the start and finish lines. 

d. The race will be officiated by US Rowing Referees.  Boats must remain in the marshaling area and be alert to the possibility that they may receive directions from officials at the start, finish, dock, or in safety launches.  They must follow any such directions in an expeditious manner.

e. Hot-Seating will not be accommodated by regatta officials and events will not be delayed for boats that have hot-seated.  If you intend to hot-seat a boat, it is the responsibility of the coach and crew to ensure that enough time has been allotted for your crew to hot-seat and arrive at the starting line prior to the start of your event.  Crews arriving late to start may, at the discretion of the starting officials, not be permitted to race. 

3. RIGHT OF WAY

a. A boat is deemed to be overtaking another when it has moved to within one length of open water of the boat ahead. On those portions of the course that are straight, a boat being overtaken shall move toward the Poughkeepsie shore and allow the overtaking boat to pass.

b. In cases where the overtaking boat’s position clearly prevents safe passage or where there is insufficient room to yield, passing is not allowed, nor is the boat being overtaken required to yield

c. Care should be taken when turning around at the marshaling area or past the finish line. Boats racing have the right of way over all other boats.

4. PENALTIES

a. Where buoys mark the boundaries of the course, and in particular mark turns on the course, a boat shall be penalized 10 seconds for each buoy passed incorrectly. A boat passes a buoy incorrectly when any part of its hull passes on the wrong side of the buoy.

b. Boats failing to yield to those having the proper right of way shall be penalized 30 seconds.

c. Crossing of the travel/race buoy-line in either direction will result in a 60 seconds penalty for the offending crew.

5. EQUIPMENT 

a. All boats must be equipped with a protective "ball" on the bow or its anti-puncture equivalent as specified by the current version of the Rules of Rowing, rule 3-105, available from US Rowing.  Boats that fail to meet this rule will not be allowed to launch. 

b. For boats with flexible-soled shoes attached to the foot stretchers, heels must be attached to the stretchers by a method allowing quick exit in case of emergency (“heel ties”). Boats will be inspected at the dock and must comply with this rule to be permitted to launch. 

c. Watertight compartments must be properly sealed with the appropriate “bow and stern caps.”  Boats with missing caps designed to cover airtight compartments present a safety hazard for their crews and will not be permitted to launch.

d. Each boat must display its assigned bow number and be equipped with a bow clip for this purpose.  No boat will be allowed to leave the dock without a bow number.

6. RACE CATEGORIES

a. Participants will be classified according to the current version of the Rules of Rowing, available from US Rowing.  Masters rowers are 21 years of age and older.

b. Participants in junior events must be enrolled in High School, grades 9-12. 

c. Participants in Collegiate events must be bona fide students enrolled at and representing accredited/chartered colleges or universities and eligible to compete in intercollegiate athletics. 

d. Novice events are for participants in their first year of racing in that category, regardless of experience in younger categories.  For example, a rower in their 1st year as a Collegiate rower would be a novice, even if they previously rowed in High School.   All rowers in Varsity events cannot compete in Novice or Junior Varsity events.  Club and composite crews meeting these criteria are permitted. 

e. Boats in mixed events must have an equal number of male and female rowers.

f. Handicaps will be utilized for all Masters races and will be determined using US Rowing guidelines, as published in the current Rules of Rowing.  Masters races may be split according to age categories, depending on the number of entries, at the discretion of the Race Director.  Participants are responsible for providing correct age information for Masters crews. 

g. In the interest of fair competition, the Regatta reserves the right to rule on a crew’s eligibility and appropriate placement in any event.
 

7. TRAVEL PATTERN

a. Two-way traffic is maintained on the river.  Boats must not cross the racecourse at any time, whether approaching the starting line or racing down the course.

b. All boats must move to the start line and docks with purpose

c. After launching, proceed along the shore to the starting line.  Crews need to allow at least 40 minutes from dock to starting line.  More detailed instructions will be provided at the coaches and coxswains meeting. 

d. All racing crews will pass between the first and second abutment (second arch) of the Walkway Over the Hudson bridge, staying toward the west side of the second abutment, keeping the second abutment on near your starboard side and between the shore and the first abutment (first arch) of the Mid-Hudson bridge, keeping the first abutment near your starboard side.   

e. All returning crews must proceed single file under the mid-Hudson Bridge between the east (Poughkeepsie) shore side of the first bridge abutment from the east shore, close to the shore.  Then proceed under the Walkway Over the Hudson by passing between the west side of its first abutment and the racecourse buoy line, avoiding buoyed utility work on your starboard side.  

8.  AWARDS                                

a. Rowers (and coxes) finishing first in their race will receive first-place medals.  Second place medals will be awarded if the event has three entries and third place medals will be awarded if the event has four or more entries. 

b. Other awards or cups may be offered at the discretion of the Regatta Committee. 

9. PROTESTS

a. Good sportsmanship must prevail at all times.

10. PARKING

a. Trailers will be permitted to arrive and park on-site in the HRRA Community Boathouse South-lot on Friday, 9/25/2020, from 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm or on Saturday, 9/25/2020, from 4:30 am to 6:00 am.  If these times do not work for you then please reach out to the Regatta Director to work out an alternate time. 

b. A parking fee of $5.00 will be required per vehicle.  Team buses and trailers will NOT be assessed a parking fee.