Divisions 1 & 3

Boating

Crews will boat in reverse number order (highest numbered crews take to the water first). Although we don't enforce a strict boating timetable, we expect crews to boat early enough so that they're in position and ready to race by the published division start times. 

To enforce this there are strictly-enforced cut-off times at Trent Bridge and Wilford Toll Bridge (see the highlighted text below).

The times above are the latest that a competent Open crew could take to the water, in average conditions, in order to get to the start on time.

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

• All crews will marshal well above Clifton Bridge and should reach this area at least 15 minutes before the advertised division start time.  Crews that arrive after this time will be held back and required to race at the back of the division.

• ODD NUMBERED CREWS will marshal on the City (north) bank - crew no. 1 will be positioned midway between Grove Farm and Clifton Bridge, bows pointing upstream.

• EVEN NUMBERED CREWS will marshal on the County (south) bank - crew no. 2 will be positioned opposite crew 1, midway between Grove Farm and Clifton Bridge, bows pointing upstream.

• Odd-numbered crews 3 to 89 will be upstream of crew no. 1 on the City side of the river, with the highest number furthest upstream.

• Even-numbered crews 4 to 88 will be upstream of crew no. 2 on the Club side of the river, with the highest number furthest upstream.

• There will be number markers on the bank to guide your positioning, and marshals on the bank can provide assistance. Note that all the number markers are on the City bank, so crews 2 - 130 should position themselves on the bank opposite the appropriate number.

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 be up to racing speed before crossing the start line.

•  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 - please see the steering guide for more information.

• DURING THE RACE, ANY CREW BEING OVERTAKEN MUST GIVE WAY TO THE FASTER CREW. Observers will be stationed at various points along the course and any crew that's adjudged to impede a faster crew will receive a time penalty.

• About 500 m downstream of Trent Bridge, for safety reasons all crews MUST use the MIDDLE arch of Lady Bay Bridge, which is the arch flanked by big round metal pillars (see picture below).

Any crew that goes through an incorrect arch of the bridge will receive a ONE MINUTE time penalty (warning: there's an umpire situated at the bridge and in most years at least one crew incurs a penalty here).

Finish

• The finish marker (a yellow FINISH banner) is on the County bank (i.e. the right-hand bank as viewed by the cox), about 1500 m below Trent Bridge, opposite the TS Orion (which is a training base for sea cadets).

• After hearing the finish signal DO NOT STOP, but proceed downstream until you've passed the large yellow buoy.

• Any crews returning to Holme Pierrepont should continue down the centre of the river, keeping a close watch for other river traffic.

• Crews that are returning to landing stages on Trentside should turn under the direction of the finish marshals. Only when you have turned around will you be allowed to stop and replace kit.  

• Once you've turned, proceed back to your landing stages, keeping close to the West Bridgford (port) bank and using only the inside arch of Lady Bay Bridge. DO NOT OVERTAKE AND DO NOT IMPEDE CREWS STILL RACING.

• Note that crews are still under the rules of the event when returning to the landing stages and that failure to follow the directions of the finish marshal or bank marshals could lead to disqualification.