Division 1 instructions
General information
The division starts at 10:00.
The race is rowed downstream from a start at Grove Farm, about 500 m above Clifton Bridge
The finish is at the TS Orion, about 1200 m below Lady Bay Bridge, giving a course length of about 6000 m.
Please take note of the cut-off times on the way to the start: any scullers not past the given locations by the specified times will not be allowed to race (scroll down to find these times).
Boats may be checked for safety before being allowed to race - so that this runs smoothly, everyone is asked to check heel restraints, watertight compartments and bow balls (at least) before race day. Competitors must be aware of BR’s 'Row Safe: a guide to good practice in rowing' and abide by the guidelines therein.
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 .
Registration and collection of numbers
Registration will open by 07.45 in Nottingham & Union 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 can be seen by the timing team).
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 & Union Rowing Club after the division. Winners' identities will be verified by inspection of BR Racing Licences.
Parking
Please note that there is no vehicular access onto Trentside North from Trent Bridge.
Map of the course
Boating
The race will start at 10:00
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, steering equipment and coxes’ buoyancy aids, overseen by an Umpire. Boats that are seen to be improperly equipped or unsafe will not be allowed to race.
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 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).
You may need to leave more time if there is a strong current flowing, or a stiff headwind.
Marshalling
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.
The marshalling area starts at 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”.
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 that's 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 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 racing crews were to use this arch there is a 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 NWSC should continue paddling downstream to the landing stages at NWSC.
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 the directions of the Finish Marshals or other officials may 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