Division 2 instructions
General information
Division 2 is raced over 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)
Both races finish 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 on the way to the start: any crews not past the given locations by the specified times will not be allowed to race (scroll down to see 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, bow balls and steering wires (where appropriate) 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.
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 bow's back (or in the case of a 1x, the sculler's back). The paper number should be pinned to 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
Short course
The race will start at 14:00
Crews will boat in race order (the LOWEST number boating first).
Cut-off time
While we don't operate a boating schedule, we do strictly enforce a cut-off time at Trent Bridge to ensure that the race starts on time. Any crew that fails to make this cut-off 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 cut-off time for crews proceeding towards the start is:
13:40 at Trent Bridge (about 1900 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 crews that are proceeding upstream to the start. Any crew seen doing such a piece risks being disqualified from their event.
Crews will be marshalled from the Toll Bridge downstream, with crew number 1 being furthest upstream (see map above).
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.
Turn to face downstream.
Build up to race speed by the bridge.
Pass beneath the wide span of the Toll Bridge at 15 second intervals.
Failure to follow Marshals' instructions at any stage could lead to disqualification.
Start
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
The race will start at about 14:15, as soon as all boats on the short course are underway
Crews will boat in reverse number order (the HIGHEST number boating first).
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 crew 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 crews.
The two cut-offs for crews proceeding towards the start are:
13:20 at Trent Bridge (about 3800 m from the start line) .
13:40 at Wilford Toll Bridge (about 2000 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 crews that are proceeding upstream to the start. Any crew seen doing such a piece risks being disqualified from their event.
Crews will be marshalled upstream of Clifton Bridge, with crew number 1 closest to Clifton Bridge and higher numbers further upstream. Crews should reach this area at least 15 minutes before the race start time - anyone arriving after this may be required to race at the back of the division.
Crews should marshal on both sides of the river, with bows facing upstream: odd numbers on the City side, even numbers on the Clifton side. Boards displaying marshalling positions will be on the City Side bank only (e.g. crew 2 marshals opposite crew 1).
Crews will turn when instructed to do so (and not before) and will make their way downstream to the start while maintaining number order.
Crews will build up to racing speed before the bridge.
The gap between crews will be at least 10 seconds.
Failure to follow Marshals' instructions at any stage could lead to disqualification.
Start
The start will be indicated by the Starter saying “Number …x... GO”.
Timing will start just before Clifton Bridge.
Racing
Race down the CENTRE of the river.
Take care to avoid other river users.
Any crew being overtaken by a faster crew MUST give way to the faster crew (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.
The finish
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.
When instructed to do so by the Finish Marshals, turn towards the Bridgford Bank to carefully return to the landing stages. 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 Holme Pierrepont.
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