Review the course here: Course Map
Notes on the Course:
Carry boats to the the dock stern first. Launch in the upstream direction and then make a u-turn to head to the Start.
Avoid "traffic jams" on the hill by making sure there is space on the dock before starting down. There will be staff at the top of the hill to help. Boats coming off the dock have right of way.
Crews only on the dock (plus one coach, plus one helper) and don't leave anything on the dock.
The course is marked by orange and hi-vis buoys running down a center line seperating the race lane from the travel to the start lane. Always keep the orange and hi-vis buoys on your port side.
White, pink, or other markers will be used to mark hazards and indicate narrow stretches- in general, keep these markers to starboard, but be sure to listen to staff for specific instructions on the day.
The center pillar of the rt.90/Mass Pike bridge seperates the race lane from the travel lane- avoid going through the spans closer to either shore.
The space just below the bridge is well-suited to warm up drills.
The Start is located up against the Chicopee (East) side of the river. Please turn toward the Start line and Start Marshall early, about 500m above the Start.
It is the rowers' responsibility to be within earshot of the Start Marshall 5 minutes before their events start time.
Stay upstream of the rt.91 bridge.
From the Start, you can see the two western most pillars of rt.90/Mass Pike bridge-- the span you will be travelling through is abscured by trees on the Chicopee side.
The race course goes through the span directly East of the central pillar. Racing through any other span will be penalized. There may appear to be enough water and a favorable line through the span closer to Chicopee, but there are safety reasons to require that racers use the central spans.
There is a sunken tree hazard 1000m from the Start. It will be vividly marked, please don't hit it.
The Finish line is just upstream of the dock. It is marked by two buoys- it does not extend all the way to the Chicopee shore. Please be mindful of the need to finish between the buoys, failure to do so may interfere with receiving a time.
Keep rowing to clear the Finish line and turn toward Holyoke. There is room to complete an "S" turn and land in the upstream direction.
Listen to the dock Manager for landing assistance.
The Coaches/Coxswains Meeting will be held at 8:00 am at the top of the boat ramp. These notes and more if needed will be available at the check-in table and from the staff at the ramp.