RegattaCentral

RULES

REGISTRATION:

1. Registration will be through Regatta Central August 28 through September 11, 2023. Entries will close Monday Sept 11, 2023. To honour Nancy’s wishes, this year’s entry fee will only be $25 plus applicable seat fees. Late entry fee will be $50 and will be open through Sept 14, 2023. All entries must go through Regatta Central. The fee includes a bbq lunch by the Henley Island Helpers, and a T-shirt sponsored by Fluidesign. No late entries will be accepted on race day as may have been done in the past. Coastal entries will also register through Regatta Central.
2. Race Day Timetable

Registration and Weighins – 8:00 am to 9:15 am – Ridley Bay. (See point 3 below).

 Coaches/Competitors/Helpers Info Meeting – 9:00am – In front of Clerks Booth. Important for all to attend 9:00am.

5KM START TIME: 10:15 AM – see start instructions listed below.

4 KM COASTAL RACE START TIME: 11:15 AM – see start instructions listed below.

3. UPON ARRIVAL ON RACE DAY: Go to registration and pickup and sign for your bow number and shirt number, every accepted entry for the 5km race and the 4km Coastal race must register and sign for their designated bow marker and shirt number, at the Registration Table in the Shell House area on Henley Island. Coastal singles will only have shirt numbers issued. Registration is open Saturday, from 8:00A.M. -  9:15 A.M.  No name substitutions will be allowed. Ltwt competitors must weigh in (see below) prior to picking up their bow marker and shirt number.  
4. All racers must be wearing their shirt number on their back pinned so that they are easily read. All single shells (except coastal) must have their bow number firmly attached.
5. HANDICAPS FOR MASTERS: Handicaps for Veterans for this regatta have been adjusted from 2022 due to the lengthening of the race from 4km to 5km. We thank Kari Juurakko, for his time and research.

AGE 30 – 39        1.25 seconds per year.

   40 – 49       11.25 seconds + 2.5/yr

          50 – 59       33.75 seconds + 3.75/yr

   60 – 69       67.5 seconds + 5.0/yr

          70 – 79      112.5 seconds + 6.25/yr

   80 – 89     168.75 seconds + 7.5/yr.

WEIGH-IN:

   All competitors in the Lightweight race must report for weigh-in between 8:00 A.M. and 9:00 A.M. (NOTE!) on Regatta Day at the Scale in the Ridley Shell House, on Henley Island. Lightweight scullers must not weigh more than 165 lbs-74.8 kg (men) or 135lbs-61.2kg (women) on the Ridley Scale including racing outfit.  Re-weighs are allowed UP TO 9AM!!! NO LATER!!  Ltwt competitors must make weight before being issued their bow markers and shirt numbers.

THE 5 KM START:

 Warm-up: Rowers will launch from the dock at least 15 minutes prior to their race start and proceed up to the starting gates off the course. Then turn into lanes 2 & 3 and stay above the 500m pylon until called to the start Shute located at approximately the 800 m point.

Shells must approach the starting line in lanes 2 or 3(new this year), at the command of the starter, who will direct them through the starting Shute at about 10-15 second intervals (Running starts required). The timer will start once the sculler crosses the 1000m line. Boats then proceed to the 1800m turn in lanes 1, 2, or 3. Slower boats and inexperienced turners should stay to the lane 3 side allowing faster boats to go down the inside lane. Be aware that the first corner is sharp.  Without waiting for late boats, shells are to start in their prescribed order.  Any shell that is not ready and willing to "start" at the command of the starter might still be allowed to race over the course as soon as the starter deems that it will not interfere with the scheduled start of any other shell.

PASSING:

Whenever a shell is approached from behind by a competing shell within approximately two lengths it must yield the right of way and should normally move to starboard (away from the Island) to allow the overtaking shell to pass on the port side.  However, if the overtaking shell is attempting to pass by the starboard side, the yielding shell must move to port.  In any case, the overtaking shell must be given the right of way.  The prudent sculler will never press this right to the point of collision.  Failure to yield the right of way will be grounds for disqualification by umpires posted along the course.  Good Sportsmanship must prevail.

TIMING, BUOYS, Capsized BOATS, & 5km POST RACE instructions:  

    CAPSIZED SCULLERS WILL    REMAIN WITH THEIR BOAT, and will be assisted by the safety launches to move themselves out of the way of oncoming competitors. If the sculler is able to get back into the boat, they may continue racing even if assistance was provided by the safety boat.

  Two sets of timers will record the start and the finish times of each sculler and times will be computed as soon as possible to allow for presentations of awards as soon as possible, during the BBQ. Once again, all conventional single shells race to the 2000m finish line in lanes 5, 6, 7, or 8. Once across the finish line, paddle easy over to the lane 1, 2, 3 area to help prevent any unfortunate collisions at the finish line. Do not proceed back to the dock until the last boat from the start lanes 1, 2 and 3 circles the 1800m buoy turn!!!  Once lanes 2 and 3 are clear proceed back to the dock area, remembering that other boats are still racing down lanes 5, 6, 7, and 8 to the finish line. Then all competitors must return both their bow-number and shirt number to the registration area before heading to the BBQ or leaving the Island.

PENALTIES - penalities will be assessed by the officiating umpires according to the addendum posted prior to the regatta. The regatta package mentions penalities that were assessed in previous years, these may be revised prior to the races and will be reviewed by the Chief Umpire at the 9:00 regatta meeting.                   

THE 4 KM COASTAL RACE START:

This new event will feature a MASS START  at the 1000m line at the specified Start Time. The coast boats will follow the same course as the first race around the same buoys around the Back Bay up to the starting gate buoys and finish at the 1000m line. (as opposed to the bottom finish line). Warm-up will be from the dock up towards the starting gates, then turning and assembling in a straight line above the 1000m start. The mass start will be initiated by a horn. The competitors will proceed down the course and turn to port around the buoys at the 1800m area. Then follow the 5km race course as listed above. The finish will be at the 1000m line vs the 2000m line thereby shortening the race to 4km. Times will be recorded based on the shirt numbers attached to the competitors back. Once past the 1000m finish line, continue paddling at least to the 1250m buoy before turning to the dock.

BAR-B-QUE, RESULTS, AND MEDAL PRESENTATIONS;

 Competitors, officials, workers and coastal crew alike are all invited to attend a post-regatta Bar-B-Que for hamburgers and refreshments, which will be served by the Henley Island Helpers. Your bbq tickets will be issued at registration along with a FLUIDESIGN T-SHIRT, Results and awards will be made available, as well as enjoyable socializing, food and drink. BBQ tickets for non competitors will be available at registration until 10am for $10.