Competitors' Instructions
Safety
The primary duty of every race official is to care for the safety of competitors and spectators.
We will have three safety launches operating throughout the day, one at the Start, one at the finish and one at 500m.
Central Medical Services will be available at the finish and can also be contacted by any Race official.
Control Commission may perform the normal safety checks.
Please check your own boat prior to going afloat; quick release foot stretchers, bow ball, hatch covers/flotation and importantly, coxswains’ life jackets… as a minimum.
Umpires have been asked to strictly enforce the Circulation Pattern shown below.
Circulation pattern
This circulation applies from 30 minutes BEFORE the first race, until after the last race has finished.
Note that the lakeside markers count down from the Start (2000 m) to the Finish (0 m).
Weighing in (coxswains and lightweight competitors)
Coxes and lightweight athletes will be weighed not more than two hours, nor less than one hour, before the published time of the first race in the event.
Weight Certificates can be obtained from the boat house (the end next to the Waterman’s office). Make sure to leave plenty of time before your scheduled race time to weigh in, collect your lane number and paddle to the start.
The minimum weight for coxes is 55 kg.
A lightweight competitors’ weight must not exceed 72.5 kg (Open) and 59 kg (Women).
Collection of bow numbers
Bow numbers can be collected from the cabin in the boating area no more than 45 minutes and no less than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of your race.
Please be afloat at least 20 minutes prior to your race time.
Access to the Start is via Lane 7 only.
The Start
Crews will proceed in Lane 7 as far as the 1500m marker, where they will be held by a Start Marshal.
Under the Start Marshal’s instructions, a complete race will be called forward in REVERSE Lane Number Order (6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) to proceed in that order towards the 100m Start Zone. If a crew misses its “slot” it may not be allowed to race.
When the Starter calls the race, crews will paddle across the course together, under the direction of the 100m Marshal, to their allocated lane (see diagram).
Only when it's in the correct lane will a crew be allowed to spin and back onto the start pontoon.
Warming-up, cooling-down & medal presentations
Crews may warm-up in Lane 7 on the way to the start but must not do racing starts or bursts at high speed when close to other crews or when a race is going past.
Crews may also warm-up in lane 5 between the 1000m and 500m markers by turning carefully into Lane 5 at the 1000m marker and then warming up in the racing direction only before turning back into Lane 7 at the 500m marker. When warming up in lane 5, crews must keep well clear of any races.
Crews who have finished their race and wish to cool down should do so in the first 500 m of Lane 7. At the 500 m marker they must stop and, after checking that the course is clear, turn into Lane 5 and paddle briskly to the finish.
The winner of each final will be presented with a medal. After the finish, the winning crew should turn quickly and proceed in Lane 0 to the presentation pontoon. Please do not proceed if there's a succeeding race within the final 250 m of the course, but in any case be sure to follow marshals'/umpires' instructions.
Once the presentation is complete your crew will be held on the pontoon until there's a gap in racing, at which time you should push off, turn, and proceed to the boating area using Lanes 1 or 2. Do not cool down in Lane 0.