RegattaCentral

Long-time Augusta Rowing Club (ARC) member Tim Jannik unexpectedly passed away on July 2, 2021. He suffered a fatal heart attack after completing a workout piece while rowing on the Savannah River. Tim was a well-respected member of the rowing community and his absence has been greatly felt these past few months. He served on the ARC Board of Directors, taught Learn to Row classes, served as Regatta Director for the Head of the South and Augusta Invitational regattas, served as a USRowing referee, and was an avid competitor. His passing has created a giant void in our club and the rowing community, and he will continue to be deeply missed by all who knew him.

 

COACHES & COXSWAINS MEETING LINK: https://we.tl/t-7ZuJwivXUi  (copy & paste into browser)

VIDEO OF HOTS COURSE: https://we.tl/t-dkVxJpUVSm

 

LIGHTWEIGHT WEIGH INS

We will NOT be weighing lightweights this year. You are on your honor. If an objection is filed, it will be resolved by the regatta committee.

 

HOTS REGATTA DOCK PROCEDURES

LAUNCHING DOCK

Once boats have passed control commission, Dock Master 1 (at top of ramp) will hold boats at the top of the dock ramp until there is space for them on the dock. Dock Master 1 will then instruct the boat to start down the ramp. Dock Master 2 (on the dock) will then direct the boat where they can put in the boat. Dock Master 2 is in charge on the dock and will direct boats accordingly.

All boats will have 2 minutes from the time they set foot on the dock to when they need to be pushing off the dock.

Only 2 people may accompany each boat. This means these 2 people are carrying oars down and taking shoes up. No loitering allowed. If the coach wishes to accompany the boat, then he/she must carry oars and shoes. 

RECOVERY DOCK

After racing, boats will return to the recovery dock. Dock Master 1 (on the recovery dock) will instruct crews where to return (which side of dock).  All boats will have 2 minutes from the time they dock to when they need to be off the dock. Dock Master 1 is in charge on the dock and will direct boats accordingly.

Dock Master 2 (at ramp) will collect bow numbers and serve as gate keeper to ensure only 2 people accompany each boat.

Only 2 people may accompany each boat. This means these 2 people are carrying shoes down and taking oars up. No loitering allowed. If the coach wishes to accompany the boat, then he/she must carry oars and shoes. 

SCULLING DOCK (Singles, Doubles, Pairs)

The sculling dock is for launching and recovery of singles and pairs/doubles ONLY. Do NOT return to this dock unless you launched from this dock.

Once boats have passed control commission, Dock Master 1 (at top of ramp) will act as gate keeper, by holding boats at the top of the dock ramp until there is space for them on the dock. Dock Master 1 will then instruct the boat to start down the ramp. Dock Master 2 (on the dock) will then direct the boat where they can put in the boat. Dock Master 2 is in charge on the dock and will direct boats accordingly. When returning, Dock Master 2 will direct boats where to return. Dock Master 1 will collect bow numbers as boats leave the dock.

All boats will have 2 minutes from the time they set foot on the dock to when they need to be pushing off the dock. They will also have 2 minutes from the time they return to when they need to be off the dock.

No more than 2 people may accompany each boat. This means these 1-2 people are carrying oars down and taking shoes up. No loitering allowed. If the coach wishes to accompany the boat, then he/she must carry oars and shoes. 

These procedures help ensure that COVID guidelines are met and should prevent major bottlenecks when launching and recovering. Teams need to be quick, yet safe and efficient on the docks.

If boats choose to not follow these instructions, they will be assessed an unsportsmanlike penalty.

 

 

Head of the South Regatta COVID-19 Protocols

The Augusta Rowing Club (ARC) is holding the 24th Annual Head of the South (HOTS) Regatta on November 13, 2021 in Augusta Georgia. While there are no current travel restrictions or quarantine requirements for the State of Georgia, the ARC will closely monitor the ever-evolving situation. The ARC is also closely monitoring the recent Center for Disease Control (CDC) updates regarding the Delta Variant and is taking the steps outlined below to keep our participants and spectators safe.

Please be aware of your state and local travel requirements when traveling to this event.

Teams should regularly monitor the health status of their athletes, coaches, and support staff daily before and during the event.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Failure to abide by the COVID-19 Guidelines may constitute disqualification from the regatta.

Each competing organization should assign an individual who will be responsible for managing the team’s daily wellness checks, interactions with regatta staff, contact tracing, and any other elements in the event of a positive test.

For the safety of all rowers and spectators attending the event, it is strongly recommended that all participants be fully vaccinated prior to the regatta.

An individual is considered fully vaccinated for COVID two (2) weeks after they have received the final dose of their vaccination sequence.

Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to mask outdoors, but are asked to wear a mask while in tents and enclosed spaces and stay six feet apart whenever possible. Mask guidelines will be followed as required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

It is strongly recommended that unvaccinated individuals wear a mask at all times, except when on the water, and make an effort to maintain physical/social distancing of at least six (6) feet in indoor and outdoor settings. This includes coaches, athletes, and staff.

TESTING PROTOCOLS

COVID testing is NOT required to participate in the 2021 HOTS. 

SYMPTOM SURVEY

All participating organizations should monitor their athletes, coaches, and staff by completing daily wellness (symptom) surveys on days that they are on the venue. Organizations should also monitor their athletes, coaches, and staff for signs of symptoms before traveling to the regatta. 

FACE MASKS, SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND HAND SANITIZING

Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a mask outdoors, but are asked to wear a mask while in tents (vendors) and enclosed spaces and to stay six (6) feet apart whenever possible. Mask guidelines will be followed as by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidelines.

It is strongly recommended that unvaccinated individuals wear a mask at all times, except when on the water, and make an effort to maintain physical/social distancing of at least six (6) feet in all settings. This includes coaches, athletes, and staff. 

Please refer to the CDC guidance on face masks. Use Masks to Help Slow Spread | CDC

Hand sanitizers will be located throughout the venue.  Please use them upon entering/exiting a bathroom or any indoor spaces.

SYMPTOMATIC INDIVIDUALS

If an individual develops signs or symptoms of COVID, they must NOT attend any practice event, competition, or travel to the venue. Anyone participating in the event developing any of these signs or symptoms must notify the HOTS Regatta Co-Director immediately and leave the venue.

Signs and symptoms of COVID include:

• Fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, congestion, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, headache, diarrhea, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting.
• Please refer to the CDC guidance on symptoms. Symptoms of COVID-19 | CDC

Symptomatic individuals will need to be evaluated and will be required to provide a negative COVID test before being allowed to participate. It will be the responsibility of the symptomatic individual to obtain the necessary FDA-approved test. Failure to report symptoms will result in exclusion from the event.

Isolation of a Symptomatic Individual

Any symptomatic individual who becomes ill while on the venue will be required to leave the venue.

Symptomatic individuals should be evaluated and get tested. If test results are positive, please provide whereabouts at the venue to facilitate contract tracing.

OTHER NOTES

Participants should bring their own drinking water from off-site. In case of emergency, bottled water will be available on-site in the first aid area.

Participants are responsible for providing their own face masks/coverings when necessary. Organizations should have extra face masks/coverings in case some become lost or damaged.

REGISTRATION

The 2021 HOTS is an USRowing registered event. Each athlete is required to be a current member of USRowing.

Each athlete must also have a signed waiver, with the new communicable diseases language, on file.

Please make sure the number on the athlete’s Regatta Central profile matches their current USRowing number.

Each organization is required to be a current organization member of USRowing.

Registration will take place at the following dates/times at the venue:

• Friday, November 12, 3:00pm – 7:00pm
• Saturday, November 13, 7:00am – end of racing

In order to minimize contact among coaches, staff, and volunteers, the following measures will be in place:

• Only ONE member from each organization will be allowed to pick up the organization’s race packets.
• Every athlete must be compliant with the proper membership and waiver on file
  • Memberships can be activated or renewed at: http://www.usrowing.org/join.aspx or by calling USRowing Membership Services Department at 609-751-0700.
  • A current listing of your athletes, their member numbers, and expiration dates can be found on your online roster through the USRowing membership Portal at: http//membership.usrowing.org
• Any remaining balance for outstanding entry fees must be paid before an organization can pick up its registration packets.
• Coaches should ensure that everyone is compliant BEFORE coming to registration. If you are unsure of your compliance status, please contact USRowing at 609-751-0700 to verify prior to coming to registration.

Lineup changes must be completed electronically at least 24 hours before the start of the first race, unless it is a medical substitution.

AWARDS

Only ONE team representative should pick up medals/awards at the registration building.

COMPETITION

Coaches & Coxswains

The Coaches and Coxswains meeting will be held virtually via ZOOM, November 9th at 8:00pm. It will be recorded and posted on this website. All competitors and coaches are responsible for any information given at this meeting.

Athlete Weighing

Athlete weigh-ins for lightweight rowers will take place as described in the Events Entry and confirmation packet. Scales will be wiped down by the rower in before and after the weigh-in.

Bow Numbers

Bow numbers will be provided by the ARC for all racing and will be included in each organization’s registration packets.

Bow numbers will be collected when the crews return to the dock. If your bow number is not collected, please return it to Registration.

Safety Checks

Safety checks are done visually.

If a Race Official has concerns about the safety of equipment, they shall have the competitor demonstrate that the equipment meets the requirements in the Rules of Racing.

Docks

The number of people on the launch and recovery docks at any given time will be limited to no more than necessary to ensure safe launching and landing. Each boat may have TWO additional people, carrying oars and shoes, accompany them onto the docks. Once their job is complete, the additional people will need to immediately leave the dock.

Members of Control Commission will manage the adherence to this rule. Everyone MUST comply with their instructions.

Launches

Disinfectant wipes will be provided in all launches.

Occupants of the launches should be no more than a driver and referee.

Unvaccinated drivers and referees should wear a mask. Referees may remove their mask to enhance communication.

Starter’s Area

The starter’s area will have disinfectant wipes available.

The starting and timing systems and equipment will be disinfected by the starter prior to and following each change of shift.

All unvaccinated individuals should wear a mask.

Finish Line

The finish line dock will have disinfectant wipes available.

The finish line timing system and equipment will be disinfected prior to and following each shift change.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Portable Toilets

Hand sanitizer will be provided adjacent to toilets and must be used prior to and following toilet use.

Team Tents

Athletes, coaches, and other team personnel should eat in their respective team-designated areas.