Information (Head of the Trent)

This Head Race is run by the Nottingham Regatta Committee under the BR Rules of Racing.
All competitors must be aware of BR’s 'Row Safe: a guide to good practice in rowing', and abide by the guidelines therein. Boats may be checked for safety before being allowed to race.
Coaches, Captains and athletes are asked to check bulkheads, joints, heel restraints and steering equipment before race day.

Registration

Registration and collection of numbers will be from Nottingham Rowing Club boathouse on Trentside (the old Nottingham Boat Club building).
Each boat will display a plastic number in a slot on its bow, and a paper number affixed to the back of the crew member rowing in the bow seat.
Registration will be open shortly after 07.30

There are three divisions of racing at 10:00, 12:30 and 14:30 respectively.
All divisions start at Clifton Bridge.
Divisions 1 and 3 finish at the TS Orion, about 1500m downstream of Trent Bridge
Division 2 finishes at the County Hall flagpoles, about 100m upstream of Trent Bridge.
There is a map of the course on this website.
All events are competed for within one division; crews racing in the 'wrong' division will be for time only.

For important information on cut-off times when proceeding to the start, please see the marshalling instructions below.

1 Trent Bridge (about 4 km from the start): 30 minutes before the advertised division start time.

2 Wilford Toll Bridge (about 2 km from the start): 20 minutes before the advertised division start time.

Crews will be turned around and sent back to the stages so that the divisions can start on time. It is unfair for the majority to wait in the cold for a few disorganized crews.
All crews will marshal well above Clifton Bridge and should reach this area 15 minutes before the start time. Crews that arrive after this time will be required to race from the back of the division.
Note that downstream practice pieces are strictly forbidden and will lead to immediate disqualification.

On entering the marshalling area, crews will report to the marshal and then proceed to their marshalling position, as indicated by numbered pegs on the bank.
Crews should wait with their bows pointing UPSTREAM.
All crews will be marshalled on the City side.
The highest number will be furthest upstream, i.e. number one will be nearest to Clifton Bridge.
When it is time to start, the marshal will instruct crew number one to turn downstream; other crews will then be INSTRUCTED to turn downstream as appropriate. Note that failure to follow the marshals’ instructions at this stage could lead to disqualification.
Division 3 only: the fours will stay on station until the last eight has passed the start to make a four minute gap.
After turning, you should paddle towards the start while maintaining number order. You should be up to racing speed before Clifton Bridge.
Timing will commence from just before the bridge and will be indicated by the starter saying 'Number X ... GO!'. The timing starts on “GO”.

Race down the centre of the river.
Take care to avoid other water users.
DURING THE RACE, ANY CREW BEING OVERTAKEN BY A FASTER CREW MUST GIVE WAY TO THE FASTER CREW. Umpires will be stationed at various points along the course; any crew adjudged to impede a faster crew will receive a ONE MINUTE time penalty.
Crews racing in divisions 1 & 3 MUST use the CENTRE arch of the Lady Bay girder bridge (downstream of the rowing clubs - see picture below).
Crews that fail to observe this will receive a ONE MINUTE time penalty. Warning: every year there is at least one crew that incurs a penalty for taking the wrong arch.

After hearing the finish signal DO NOT STOP, but proceed downstream and turn at the large yellow buoy (Division 2 downstream of the rowing clubs), under the direction of the finish marshals. Only when you have turned will you be allowed to stop to replace kit.
Proceed back to your landing stages: crews returning upstream to the boathouses must keep close to the West Bridgford Bank, using only the Bridgford arch of the Lady Bay girder bridge. DO NOT OVERTAKE AND DO NOT IMPEDE CREWS STILL RACING.
Crews should note that they are still under the rules of the event when returning to the landing stages. Failure to follow the directions of the finish marshals could lead to disqualification.