This regatta complies with the ARA’s Rules of Racing and ‘Row Safe, a Guide to Safe Practice in Rowing’.
Competitors who do not comply with these instructions or the instructions of Regatta officials, may be penalised or even disqualified from racing.
The regatta will endeavour to provide a safe environment within the ARA’s Guide to Safe Practice in Rowing, although competitors are specifically reminded that persons using the lake and the adjoining river do so entirely at their own risk and are solely responsible for: -
- Their own safety.
- Ensuring that their boats are safe and are prepared to the standards required by the ARA Guide to Safe Practice in Rowing and the ARA Rules of Racing. Any boat that fails to meet the standard shall be excluded. See ARA Rule of Racing 2-3-8 for details.
- The strict observance of the circulation patterns (see maps) and the Water Safety Code.
- Deciding, together with their coaches, whether or not they are competent to use the lake in the prevailing weather conditions.
Clubs and competitors are also reminded that they must: -
- Only go out for practice sessions if there is a safety boat on the course.
- Not practise during racing. Crews will not be allowed to boat until 15 minutes after the last race of the day has finished.
- Make their own safety and first aid arrangements before and after the day’s racing.
- When training on the River Trent during racing hours, make their own safety arrangements and must also report to Boathouse Control before and after their outing. They must ensure their boat is licensed to be on the River and they must read the circulation pattern for the River Trent as described in the document attached at http://sites.google.com/site/nottinghamtrenthead/safety
- Ensure that all roadways and access routes are kept clear at all times and that they should not park in the Finish/Presentation Stage area. Crews should be especially vigilant in the boating/boathouse areas.
- Report all accidents to the Regatta Office.
Safety boats
There are safety boats on the course during racing and the first duty of every waterborne official is to the safety of competitors or any person in difficulty.
Accidents and emergencies
All accidents and emergencies must be reported to a Regatta Official as soon as is practicable. The Official will summon medical support if necessary and will summon any additional support that may be required. The Official will also ensure that the Safety Adviser and the Race Committee are made aware of the incident. An ARA Incident Report Form MUST be completed for all accidents, collisions or capsizes. The Regatta Office by the Finish Tower or Boathouse Control hold supplies of these forms.
General competence
The organising committee reserves the right to exclude any crew or sculler from further competition in an event if it does not show sufficient competence in either attaching to the start pontoons or progressing down the course during a race. This rule will be applied in the interests of safety and fairness to other competitors.
Presentation of prizes
Winning crews are to come ashore before proceeding to the presentation area on foot, immediately after the final of their event.
Marshalling instructions
Note that lakeside markers count down from the start (2000m) to the finish (0m)
Boating
Go afloat to race or practise using the outward rafts in the main boating area. Crews may use the Country Park raft with care: this raft is for embarkation only. The rafts on the southern shore of the course towards the finish tower are not for the general use of competitors.
At the start
Crews will proceed to the start in Lane 7 as far as the 1500m marker where they will be held by a Start Marshal. Under the Start Marshal’s instructions a complete race will be called forward in REVERSE Lane Number Order (6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) to proceed in that order towards the 100m Start Zone. If a crew misses its “slot” it may not be allowed to race. When the Starter calls the race, crews will paddle across the course together under the direction of the 100m Marshal to their allocated lane (see diagram). Only when in the correct lane will a crew be allowed to turn and back onto the start pontoon.
Warming up
Crews may warm-up in lane 7 on the way to the start but must not do racing starts or bursts at high speed when close to other crews or when a race is going past. Crews may also warm-up in lane 5 between the 1000m and 500m markers by turning carefully into lane 5 at the 1000m marker and then warming up in the racing direction only before turning back into lane 7 at the 500m marker. When warming up in lane 5, crews must keep well clear of any races.
Cooling down
Crews may cool down by carefully turning into lane 7 after their race, and then turning into lane 5 at the 500m marker only. Crews must travel in the racing direction only in lane 5 and must take care not to impede any races on the course, or to cross the Finish Line alongside a race.
Disembarking
Use the Inward rafts only when coming ashore after racing or practising. Do not use the Country Park raft or those on the southern shore of the course. Take care in the finish area to avoid collisions as crews merge from racing and from cooling down.
Time trials
Crews must be ready to boat 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of their Time Trial. Collect Time Trial numbers from Boathouse Control and then boat in number order.
Control Commission Umpires will supervise boating and do the normal safety checks. Any boat failing inspection will not be allowed to boat unless the problem can be fixed in a timely manner.
Crews should paddle down slowly towards the start in lane 7 only. Warming up by turning into lane 5 is NOT allowed during the Time Trial.
Remove spare kit under the direction of the Start Marshals and then follow the Umpires’ instructions to paddle round in a continuous semi-circle (“hard on strokeside, bowside light / easy / hold”) into lanes 1-3. Lanes 0, 4, 5 & 6 are safety lanes and are not in use for racing. Lane 0 is to be used only for crews in distress. See diagram below.
After completing the turn, crews should keep paddling in their allotted lane towards the timing line.
The Starter will say ‘Go’ approximately 100m before the timing line and crews will be timed from the 1500m marker to the normal Finish.
Crews should be careful in the Finish area, and proceed straight to the rafts quickly and safely; crews may not cool down on the course after their Time Trial as they may obstruct other crews racing.
Circulation patterns
Note that lakeside markers count down from the start (2000m) to the finish (0m)
Practice circulation pattern
- This applies at all times other than during racing.
- The lake must be clear 30 minutes before racing is due to start.
- The lake will open at 07.00 and close at 20.30 each day.
- Lanes 0, 5 and 6 will be closed for general use during practice sessions.
Racing circulation pattern
Failure to comply with these rules may lead to the removal of the crew or club from the Regatta.
Points of danger
Cycling, skating, rollerblading etc. is prohibited in all Regatta enclosures and in the boating area. The south side of the course will be closed to unauthorised users from half an hour before racing starts until half an hour after racing has finished. Cyclists etc. must give way at all times to pedestrians and service vehicles of the Regatta.
All accidents and emergencies must be reported to a Regatta Official as soon as practicable. The Official will summon medical or other support as required, and report the incident to the Safety Advisor. An ARA Incident Report Form MUST be completed for all accidents, collisions or capsizes. The Regatta Office and Registration hold supplies of these forms.
