Division 2 (modified)

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.

• We enforce a strict cut-off time at Trent Bridge (see the highlighted section below).

• Suggested boating time cutoffs for each division are given below - these times should be interpreted as the latest that a competent Open crew could take to the water, in average conditions, in order to get to the start on time.

Latest boating times

FROM TRENTSIDE

8+ 10:45

4+ / 4- / 4x- 10:30

FROM HOLME PIERREPONT

8+ 10:15

4+ / 4- / 4x- 10:00

Downstream practice pieces are strictly forbidden anywhere on the course or in the marshalling area. Anyone seen doing such a piece may be immediately disqualified.

Marshalling at the start

• 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

• Crews will be INSTRUCTED when to turn by the start marshal on the bank. Failure to follow the marshals’ instructions at this stage could lead to disqualification.

• Crews should turn in number order when instructed to do so by the marshal (and not before). He or she may insert gaps into the start order between boat classes in order to reduce the chances of interference on the course.

• After turning, you should paddle towards the start while maintaining number order. Ideally, the gap between successive crews would be 10 to 20 seconds.

•  The start marker (a yellow START banner) is on the Club side, about 50 metres upstream of Clifton Bridge.

•  You should cross the start line at racing speed. To help with this, use as a marker the power lines that cross the river about 100 m before the start.

•  As you pass the start, the starter will call "Number X ... GO!". The timing starts on “GO”.

Racing

• The general rule is to race down the centre of the river - see the steering guide for more information.

• DURING THE RACE, ANY CREW BEING OVERTAKEN MUST GIVE WAY TO THE FASTER CREW by moving to the left or right (as appropriate) so that the faster crew can row through without changing its course. Observers will be stationed at various points along the course - any crew adjudged to have impeded a faster crew will receive a time penalty.

Finish

• The finish marker (a yellow FINISH banner) is at the flagpoles about 100 m above Trent Bridge, on the Club side.

• After hearing the finish signal DO NOT STOP, but proceed through Trent Bridge until you are downstream of the rowing clubs. 

• If returning to Trentside, spin after the large yellow buoy under the direction of the finish marshals. Only when you have turned will you be allowed to stop and replace kit.  

• Once you've turned, proceed back to your landing stages. Crews returning upstream to the boathouses must keep close to the West Bridgford bank.

• Those crews returning to Holme Pierrepont should continue downstream, following the normal rules of the river - boats should keep close to the south (County) bank and avoid the middle of the river. Importantly, you should pass through the County (inside) arch of Lady Bay Bridge (this is the rightmost arch as viewed by the cox).

• Crews are still under the rules of the event when returning to the landing stages. Failure to follow the directions of the finish or bank marshals could lead to disqualification.