Division 1 instructions
General information
The division starts at 10:00
The race is rowed downstream from Grove Farm, about 500 m above Clifton Bridge
The finish is at the Sea Cadets' base (TS Orion), about 1200 m below Lady Bay Bridge, giving a course length of approximately 6000 m.
Please take note of the cut-off times on the way to the start (scroll down to find these times): any scullers not past the given locations by the specified times will not be allowed to race .
Competitors must abide by the guidelines in British Rowing Row Safe - this is a link is to the latest version https://www.britishrowing.org/about-us/policies-guidance/rowsafe/
Boats may be checked for safety before being allowed on the water. Before race day, everyone is asked to check: (i) heel restraints; (ii) watertight compartments and (iii) bow balls.
The River Trent is a Canal & River Trust (CRT) waterway. Competing clubs that normally row on non-CRT waters must ensure that they have the appropriate water-use licences - these are available via the following link https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/license-your-boat
Parking
Please note that NO VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED onto Trentside North (where the clubs are) from Trent Bridge.
.Follow the link below for detailed information on parking for trailers, competitors and spectators.
Registration and collection of numbers
Registration will open by 07.45 in Nottingham Rowing Club.
Each boat will be issued with a plastic number to display in the slot on its bow, and a paper number that should be pinned to the sculler's back (on their racing kit, so that it is clearly visible to the timing team). IMPORTANT: the paper number is a backup should the bow number be dislodged - if it's not clearly visible then we may not be able to award you a time.
In order to keep the number of people coming to registration to a minimum, clubs should arrange for a single representative to collect all of its numbers. It is the club's responsibility to ensure that the numbers are subsequently handed out correctly.
Everyone must have their BR racing licence to hand - event winners should expect to have their identities checked, and there will also be spot checks of competitor identity.
Refreshments & toilet facilities
Refreshments will be available at the clubs on Trentside.
Toilet facilities will be in the provided portable toilets outside the clubs on Trentside and near the trailer car park.
Presentation of prizes
The presentation of prizes will be in (or outside) Nottingham Rowing Club after the division. Winners' identities will be verified by inspection of BR Racing Licences.
Map of the course
Boating
Crews will boat in race order (the LOWEST number boating first).
Crews may be asked to carry out safety checks on bow balls, heel restraints, boat flotation and hatches, overseen by an Umpire. Boats that are seen to be improperly equipped or unsafe will not be allowed to race until any issues are rectified.
Cut-off times
While we don't operate a boating schedule, we do strictly enforce cut-off times at fixed locations to ensure that the race starts on time. Any sculler that fails to make these cut-offs will not be allowed to take part in the race - it's unfair on the majority to delay the race for the sake of a few late scullers.
The race starts at 10:00 and the two cut-off times for scullers proceeding towards the start are:
09:15 at Trent Bridge (about 4300 m from the start line) .
09:30 at Wilford Toll Bridge (about 2500 m from the start line).
These times are the latest that you can pass these points with a realistic chance of making the start time. You may need to allow more time to reach the start if there's a strong current or a stiff headwind.
Marshalling
Warm up pieces
Conducting downstream warm-up pieces on the way to the start is not allowed anywhere on the river due to the risk of collision with scullers proceeding upstream. Anyone seen doing such a piece risks being disqualified from their event.
Marshalling area
The marshalling area starts about 500 m downstream of Clifton Bridge. Scullers should reach this area at least 15 minutes before the start time - anybody arriving after this may be required to race at the back of the division.
On entering this area, scullers will report to the Marshal and then proceed to their marshalling position as indicated by the numbered pegs on the bank.
All boats will be marshalled on the City side of the river, with bows pointing upstream.
Number 1 will be near the Start (just upstream of Grove Farm), and the highest number will be furthest downstream.
The start
When instructed to do so, crews should paddle upstream, keeping in number order.
When instructed to do so by the Start Marshal (and not before), they should turn into the stream to point their bows downstream. Failure to follow the Marshal's instructions could lead to disqualification.
There will be a run-up to the start line at Grove Farm, and you should be up to speed as you approach the line. The gap between scullers will be about 10 seconds.
The start of race timing will be indicated by the Starter saying “Number …x... GO”. The timing starts on “GO”.
Failure to follow Marshals' instructions at any stage could lead to disqualification.
Racing
Race down the CENTRE of the river.
Take care to avoid other river users.
Any sculler being overtaken by a faster boat MUST give way to the faster sculler (i.e. move off the racing line). Umpires are stationed at various points along the course and any crew adjudged to have impeded a faster crew will receive a time penalty.
Scullers MUST use the CENTRE span of the Lady Bay girder bridge (passing under the bridge with big metal pillars on either side of you – picture below). Crews failing to observe this rule will incur a mandatory ONE-MINUTE time penalty.
This rule is present because the Bridgford span of the bridge (on the inside of the bend) is used by boats returning to the landing stages. If a racing crew were to use this arch there would be a serious risk of collision.
The finish
When you hear the finish signal DO NOT STOP - continue paddling downstream past the large yellow buoy.
When instructed to do so by the Finish Marshals, turn towards the Bridgford Bank. Only when you have turned will you be allowed to stop to put kit on.
Those boating from the NWSC should continue paddling downstream to the landing stage at Holme Pierrepont.
Otherwise, continue upstream to return to your landing stages, all the while keeping close to the Bridgford Bank. At Lady Bay Bridge, use only the Bridgford arch of the bridge (on the inside of the bend).
Other crews will still be racing downstream, so be very careful to keep close in to the bank and avoid impeding them.
Do not overtake other crews that are returning to the landing stages.
Crews should note that they are still under the rules of the event when returning to the landing stages.
Failure to follow Marshals' instructions at any stage could lead to disqualification.
Weil’s Disease
Weil’s Disease (also known as Leptospirosis) is very rare in UK rivers, but due to the risk (however small) no one is allowed to enter the water for any reason.
If you would like further information about Weil’s Disease, please follow the link below.
Feedback to the Organising Committee
The Organising Committee welcomes any feedback you may have about the event, including aspects you liked as well as any improvements you feel we can make. Your feedback can be given on the day at registration, or via email at nottmautumnhead@gmail.com