Competitor Instructions

Safety Arrangements

These arrangements are distributed to, and MUST BE READ by every person taking part in the event, whether they are competitors, coaches, organisers, marshals, umpires or safety personnel. They should be read in conjunction with the safety instructions issued to competitors and the ARA Water Safety Code.

1. Circulation Pattern - Click here for the full diagram

There is a mandatory circulation for all crews on the water and whilst boating – see competitor instructions below.

2. Launches

There are five safety launches equipped with blankets, knife, throwing line, loudhailer, 2-way radio, and balers. Crews are fully briefed on the safety procedures. The boats are positioned approximately as follows:

3. St John Ambulance

An ambulance and first aid team are stationed throughout the regatta at the south-east corner of the boat house – see attached map.

4. Communications

All safety launches, the safety advisor, the St. John Ambulance, Regatta Control, all umpires, boat marshals, finish judges and other key regatta officials are equipped with 2-way radios. There is a dedicated channel for safety matters.

5. First Aid Boxes

First aid boxes are located at the London Regatta Centre as well as on all launches.

6. Accident on the Water

In the event of a capsize or injury on the water, the affected person will be taken by rescue launch to the St John Ambulance. The radio channel will be used to advise Regatta Control.

7. Accident on Land

In the event of a person being injured on land, St John ambulance will be informed. If appropriate the injured person should be taken directly to St John Ambulance.

8. Transfer

Transfer to hospital if necessary will be arranged from the St John Ambulance station.

9. Cycling

Coaches on bicycles may follow the racing along the course. However, in the interests of safety, cycling in the enclosure is not permitted. In previous years some coaches have ignored this safety rule and there have been several accidents. This year any club or school, be it a coach or identified supporter, ignoring this rule will lead to the automatic disqualification of their crew(s) from the race and event involved.

Emergency Phone Numbers

Alan Taylor – Regatta Chairman 07860391234 The London Regatta Centre:02075112211

Safety Instructions to Competitiors

These instructions are mandatory and failure to follow them may result in disqualification.

1. Circulation Pattern.

All competitors must comply with the navigation and circulation pattern outlined below.

2. Boats

It is the responsibility of competitors to ensure that their boat complies with the ARA Rules of Racing Safety Requirements, in particular: heel restraints, bow balls, hatch covers, coxswain life jackets etc.

If your boat does not comply when checked by the Control Commission Umpire you will not be allowed on the water. Boats will be checked before every race - not if labelled, only spot checks after first outing.

3. Lunch Break

Boats are not allowed to go afloat during the lunch break, as there is no safety cover on the water.

4. Accidents

In the event of an accident on the water you should stop immediately and render assistance.

5. Safety Arrangements

You should familiarise yourself with the safety arrangements outlined above.

Navigation & Circulation Instructions to Competitiors

(see also the attached diagram)

1. The Course

The racing course runs from east to west. The lanes are numbered from south (lane 0) to north (lane 6). Crews may only row in a westerly direction on the racing course. The lane adjacent to the north edge of the dock is the access lane. Crews may only row in a easterly direction in the access lane.

2. Proceeding To The Start

Crews leaving the embarkation raft will go to the start in the access lane and must not impede any crew using lane 6.

3. Warm Up

Crews wishing to warm up may do so on the way to the start in the access lane, and subject to not interfering with racing and under the jurisdiction of the umpires, may turn and warm up over the course. Crews warming on the racing course must not use lane 6 and must keep clear of the start and finish areas. Due consideration must be given to other crews in the vicinity and umpires’ instructions must be obeyed at all times.

4. Warm Down

Crews wishing to warm down after a race may do so at the western end of the course. A clockwise circulation pattern will be in force. Crews leaving the area will give way to crews entering and will travel eastward in the access lane only. Use of the Royal Victoria Dock is not permitted because there will be no safety arrangements in the area, and there may be other water users present including Wet Bikes who have priority.

5. Leaving The Course

All crews may warm down or return directly to the disembarkation raft using the access lane.

NO INTERFERENCE IS TO BE CAUSED TO SUBSEQUENT RACES.

6. Practice

Unfortunately due to the number of races and competitors it will not be possible for crews to go afloat other than to race.

Competitor Instructions

1. Check In

Competitors to report to the Registration Secretary in the Regatta Office to collect crew numbers at least 40 minutes before race time. Any crew failing to report will be deemed to have scratched.

2. Crew Numbers

An "Empacher" crew number will be issued by the regatta office and must be fixed to the bow of the boat before going afloat. The numbers must be picked up at least 40 minutes before your race. Please return the number to the regatta office when you have finished the event.

PLEASE NOTE

All boats must be fitted with an "Empacher" slot.

Numbers will not be issued until regatta fees are paid.

3. Weighing in

• Coxswains. All coxswains to be weighed in the Regatta Office before going afloat and to carry weights if under the minimum weight. A weight certificate will be issued by the office.
• Lightweights. In compliance with ARA Rule of Racing 3-3-1(d) the weight of lightweight competitors shall be determined not less than one hour and not more than two hours before the scheduled time of the first race of the event in which the competitor is entered (see 2-3-6a). All members of a crew must report for weighing at the same time. This rule shall not apply to coxes (see Rule 2-3-7b).
• It is recommended that, for identification purposes, competitors carry their ARA Racing Licence or photographic identification when presenting themselves for weighing.

4. Race and Draw Organisation

The regatta uses the "Ghent" draw method. The system works as follows:

• crews are selected in random order at the time of the draw, but are not drawn into individual heats
• all crews must check into the start pen at least 10 minutes before race time
• the starter will divide the number of crews into the relevant number of heats according to position in original random draw.
• heats will be called onto the start pontoon at race time in quick succession - note that any event with 7 or fewer competitors arriving for heats, will be run as a final
• the Regatta Committee reserve the right to alter the times of races if necessary.

Time Keeping - PLEASE NOTE:

Any crew not at the start pen 10 minutes before race time will be disqualified.

We do not like to disqualify any crew, especially junior crews and crews that have travelled a long way but, in the interests of all competitors and to ensure the regatta runs on time and that the racing is fair, there will be no exceptions.

We have a full day’s racing and it is not possible to run the regatta any other way. Please be on time and avoid disappointment.

5. Boating Instructions

The boating area is always busy so please help yourselves and us by following these steps:

• Go afloat 30 minutes before race time to ensure your crew is on time
• Your boat must be checked by an umpire before you proceed to the boating pontoon. An "APPROVED" sticker will be fixed to your boat by the umpire – providing stickers are available
• Boats will not be allowed onto the pontoon without an umpires "APPROVED" sticker.
• Coxswains must wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid in the correct manner and be familiar with the method of operation. In "front-loader" boats coxswains must wear manually operated gas inflation life jackets
• There are two separate sets of pontoons. Number 1 Pontoons are for going afloat, and Number 2 Pontoons are for coming ashore.
• Oars may not be left on the pontoon prior to boating. Oars should be left on the side of the dock above the pontoon.
• Maximum of 1 non-rower per crew allowed on the pontoon, all other supporters to stay on shore.
• Please adjust stretchers away from the pontoon.
• Boats coming ashore must give way to those going afloat.
• The boat marshalls’ instructions must be followed at all times.

6. Race Rules

All races will be conducted under A.R.A. rules.

7. Start Procedure

Coaches are requested to ensure that their crews are competent in attaching to the stakeboat. Crews that are unable to attach correctly within a reasonable period will be excluded from the race. The following "Best Practice for Getting onto the Start on Non-Tidal Water" has been issued by the Thames Regional Umpires Commission:

Crews experiencing difficulty in getting attached at the start become unfocused and do not race at their best. Coaches should ensure that their crews following the ensuing guidelines to minimise delays and facilitate smoother racing. They should:

Adjustment needs to be continuous in cross winds to over compensate until advised to stop and get ready by the starter.

8. Prizes

• There will be no presentation pontoon due to the need to check ARA cards. Prizes should be collected from the presentation marquee following each final. There are engraved glass tankards for all winners.
• In accordance with ARA guidelines, race winners must bring their ARA cards for update by the regatta officials. Only in exceptional circumstances will medals be given to winners who do not present their ARA cards for update.
• Official crew photographs can be taken at the presentation marquee for events with a Trophy.
• A Victor Ludorum trophy will be awarded to the most successful men's and the most successful women's club.
• For events run in multiple divisions medals will be awarded for first place only.

9. Qualification for finals

In events with two heats, normally the first three crews will proceed to the final.

In events with three heats, normally the first two crews will proceed to the final. There is no repecharge system.

10. Refreshments

Refreshments are available throughout the day from the marquee located by the Regatta Centre.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE NOTE

Cycling is NOT ALLOWED within the enclosure. Coaches on bicycles may follow crews outside of the enclosure, but NOT in the enclosure. In previous years some coaches have ignored this rule and there has been several accidents. This year any club or school, be it a coach or identified supporter, ignoring this rule will lead to the AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION of their crew(s) from the race and event involved.

Safety – Please Note:

The water is deep, and the dock walls are high. However careful you are at regattas, you should be very alert to the dangers at the Albert Dock. In particular, children should be adequately supervised. We will do our best to create a safe environment and will provide medical facilities. You can help by observing our safety precautions. THE REGATTA CAN ACCEPT NO LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSSES OR DAMAGE TO PERSONS OR EQUIPMENT.

Finally, have a great day’s racing!