Division 2 instructions

General information

Division 2 is raced over both a short course and a long course, using two different starts and a common finish.
The short course race starts at the Toll Bridge at 14:00 (racing will start when all short-course boats are in position and all long-course crews are above the Toll Bridge).
The long course race will start from Clifton Bridge at about 14:15 (racing will start when all the short-course boats are underway).
The common finish is at the flagpoles outside County Hall (about 100 m above Trent Bridge), giving course lengths of about 1900 m and 3700 m for the short and long courses respectively.
Please take note of the cut-off times (scroll down to see these times) on the way to the start: any crews 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 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 and will be open all day.
BROE will remain open for substitutions until one hour before the race - clubs are requested to make all crew changes online themselves.
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

There will be no formal presentation - event winners should collect their prizes from registration. Winners' identities will be verified by inspection of BR Racing Licences, so please have these to hand.

Map of the course

Warm up pieces

Downstream warm-up pieces on the way to the start are not allowed anywhere on the river due to the risk of collision with crews proceeding in the opposite direction. Any crew seen doing such a piece risks being disqualified from their event.

SHORT COURSE

General

The race will start at 14:00

Boating

Crews will boat in race order (the LOWEST number boating first).
During boating, crews may be asked to carry out safety checks, overseen by an Umpire, on bow balls, heel restraints, boat flotation and hatches. Boats that are found to be improperly equipped or unsafe will not be allowed to race until any identified issues are rectified.
Please take note of the cut-off time below.

Cut-off time

To ensure that the race starts on time we strictly enforce a cut-off time at Trent Bridge. Any crew that fails to pass this location by the prescribed time 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 crews.

The race starts at 14:00 and the cut-off time for crews proceeding towards the start is:

CUT-OFF : 13:40 at Trent Bridge (about 1900 m from the start line).

This time should be interpreted as the latest that you can pass this point 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

The marshalling area starts at the Suspension Bridge. Crews 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.
Crews will be marshalled on the City Bank, from the Toll Bridge downstream. Crew number 1 is nearest to the bridge (i.e. furthest upstream).
Bank marshals will hold crews in position until the start of the race.

Preparing to race

When instructed to do so, crews will trickle upstream in number order, staying close to the bank and going through the narrow arch of the bridge.

Continue upstream of launch W (see plan above) before ‘pulling on’ on bowside to move across to the County Bank of the river.
Complete the turn to face downstream.

Warning: failure to follow Marshals' instructions at any stage could lead to disqualification.

Race start

Build up to race speed by the bridge.
Pass beneath the wide span of the Toll Bridge at ~15 second intervals.
The start will be indicated by the Starter saying “Number x ... GO”
Timing will start just after the Toll Bridge

Warning: the stream will tend to push crews towards the centre buttress of the bridge.

Warning: after the start, the river bends to the right. Crews must steer around this corner - don’t drift over to the City Bank where crews will be marshalling for the start.

LONG COURSE

General

The race will start at about 14:15, as soon as all boats on the short course are underway

Boating

Crews will boat in reverse number order (the HIGHEST number boating first).
During boating, crews may be asked to carry out safety checks, overseen by an Umpire, on bow balls, heel restraints, boat flotation and hatches. Boats that are found to be improperly equipped or unsafe will not be allowed to race until any identified issues are rectified.
Please take note of the cut-off times below.

Cut-off times

To ensure that the race starts on time we strictly enforce cut-off times at two fixed locations. Any crew that fails to make it to these locations by the prescribed time 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 crews.

The race starts at ~14:15 and the two cut-offs for boats proceeding towards the start are:

CUT-OFF 1 : 13:20 at Trent Bridge (about 3800 m from the start line).

CUT-OFF 2 : 13:40 at Wilford Toll Bridge (about 2000 m from the start line).

These times should be interpreted as the latest that you can pass these points with a realistic chance of making the start time. You may need to leave more time if there is a strong current flowing, or a stiff headwind.

Marshalling

The marshalling area starts at Clifton Bridge. Crews 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, crews will report to the Marshal and then proceed to their marshalling position as indicated by the numbered pegs on the bank - crew number 1 is closest to Clifton Bridge and higher numbers are further upstream.
Crews will marshal on both sides of the river: odd numbers are on the City side, even numbers are on the Clifton side. Note that the boards displaying marshalling positions will be on the City bank only (so crew 2 marshals opposite crew 1, for example). Bows must point upstream.

Preparing to race

When instructed to do so (and not before), crews will push their bows out into the stream and turn to strokeside so they're facing downstream.
After turning they will make their way downstream to the start while remaining in number order.

Warning: failure to follow Marshals' instructions at any stage could lead to disqualification.

Race start

The gap between crews should be about 15 seconds.
Crews should be at racing speed as they pass the Start - a useful tip is to build to race pace from the power line that crosses the river about 100 m before the start.
The start will be indicated by the Starter saying “Number X ... GO!”.

During the race (short and long courses)

As a general guide, you should race down the CENTRE of the river; for more detailed information, see the Autumn Head steering guide.
Any crew being overtaken MUST give way to the faster boat (i.e. move to the left or right to allow them unimpeded passage). Umpires are stationed at various points along the course and any crew adjudged to have impeded a faster crew will receive a time penalty.
Take care to avoid other river users.

Race finish (short and long courses)

When you hear the finish signal DO NOT STOP - continue paddling downstream through Trent Bridge and continue past the large yellow buoy situated beyond the rowing clubs.
Those boating from the NWSC should continue paddling downstream to the landing stage at Holme Pierrepont. Normal rules of the river apply, so you should keep to starboard at all times.
If returning to the landing stages outside the clubs, turn towards the Bridgford (County) Bank when instructed to do so by the Finish Marshals and carefully return to the stages. Only when you have turned will you be allowed to stop to put kit on.
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. For more information see the NHS website information on Weil's Disease

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

Please compete safely, be vigilant and ... enjoy your row!

Google Sites

Report abuse