Marshalling instructions

Please also read the 'Notes For Competitors' on the Documents page

Latest boating times

Please note the latest boating times below (NWSC = National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont)

Crews will boat in reverse numerical order, i.e. highest numbers are to boat first.

We do not issue boating times, but be aware that if boating from Trentside it is at least a 4000 m upstream paddle to the start. Coaches should judge boating times based on the prevailing conditions and their crews' ability, bearing in mind the cutoff times at Trent Bridge and the Toll Bridge.

Division 1 (10 am)

Division 2 (12.30 pm)

Division 3 (3 pm)

Proceeding to the start

• There are two cut-off points for crews proceeding towards the start:

1  Trent Bridge (about 4 km from the start): 30 minutes before the advertised division start time. 

2  Wilford Toll Bridge (about 2 km from the start): 20 minutes before the advertised division start time.

• Crews will be turned around and sent back to the stages so that the divisions can start on time. It is unfair for the majority to wait in the cold for a few disorganised crews.

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

• Note that DOWNSTREAM PRACTICE PIECES ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN and may lead to immediate disqualification.

Marshalling at the start (all divisions)

• On entering the marshalling area above Clifton Bridge, crews report to the marshal and then proceed to their marshalling position, as indicated by numbered pegs on the bank.

• Crew no. 1 will be stationed mid-way between the Farm and Clifton Bridge on the City side (playing fields), bows pointing upstream

• Crews 2 to 40 will be upstream of crew no. 1 on the City side of the river, with the highest number furthest upstream.

• Crew no. 41 will be opposite crew no 1 on the Club side of the river, bows pointing upstream. 

• Crews 42 to 80 will be upstream of crew no. 41 on the Club side of the river, with the highest number furthest upstream.

• 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 1 to 40 will turn first, and when clear crews 41 to 80 will then be turned.

• After turning, you should paddle towards the start while maintaining number order. 

• The start will be on the City side (this is the opposite side to the previous few years), and about 50 metres upstream of Clifton Bridge. It will be indicated by a yellow 'START' sign.

• You should be up to racing speed before the start.

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

Racing

• Race down the centre of the river.

• Take care to avoid other water users.

• DURING THE RACE, ANY CREW BEING OVERTAKEN BY A FASTER CREW MUST GIVE WAY TO THE FASTER CREW. Umpires will be stationed at various points along the course; any crew adjudged to impede a faster crew will receive a time penalty.

• Crews racing in divisions 1 & 3 MUST use the CENTRE arch of the Lady Bay girder bridge (downstream of the rowing clubs - see picture below). 

• Crews that fail to observe this and race through the rightmost arch of the bridge will receive a ONE MINUTE time penalty. Warning: there is usually at least one crew a year that incurs a penalty for taking the wrong arch of this bridge!

Finish

• After hearing the finish signal DO NOT STOP, but continue downstream and turn at the large yellow buoy (Divisions 1 & 3 downstream of TS Orion, Division 2 downstream of the rowing clubs), under the direction of the finish marshals. Only when you have turned will you be allowed to stop to replace kit.  

• From there proceed back to your landing stages: crews returning upstream to the boathouses must keep close to the West Bridgford Bank, using only the Bridgford arch of the Lady Bay girder bridge. DO NOT OVERTAKE AND DO NOT IMPEDE CREWS STILL RACING.

• Crews should be aware 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 any marshals on the bank, could lead to disqualification.