COMPETITORS’ INFORMATION

COMPETITORS’ INFORMATION 2023

Timetable of Racing

The programme of racing will be compiled making all allowances possible for requests received on your entry forms. The Committee regrets that it cannot entertain any requests for amendments to the Regatta Programme other than those agreed by Race Control in accordance with the BRITISH ROWING Rules of Racing (e.g. for equipment breakage).

Boating Area

Access for trailers to the regatta is via Sadlers Ride, off A 3050 Hurst Road. (see the attached plan). Parking is available for trailers. Competitors must provide their own boat trestles and the Committee is unable to take responsibility for the safety of equipment. The Molesey Boat Club compound is not available. Boats may be left at the regatta site overnight, but entirely at your risk. We do provide security on site, but not for boats.

Reporting to Race Control  

Race numbers may be collected from Race Control from 0700 each day. However for MAR on Saturday only numbers for those races taking place before 1000 will be issued before 0900. After this time, and all day Sunday, all the numbers for  a club will be issued at the same time in a single envelope. On both days, the name and contact number of the club representative who is collecting will be required.

If a club is running late, and believes it will not arrive on time, it should advise Race Control on 07790 951070 – this number will only be operative on 15th and 16th July, and is not intended for any other purpose. 

Substitutions and scratchings on Regatta day MUST be submitted to Race Control, and an acknowledgment received. If they are not reported to Race Control, they will be treated as invalid. Crew compositions can, of course, be checked online, but these will have been frozen circa 2200 the evening before.   

Coxes must weigh-in at Race Control in good time  for their first race. They are reminded that the supply of any deadweight required is solely the responsibility of their Club. Spot checks will be made after certain races.

Boating

It is the crew’s responsibility to ensure that the boat meets the requirements of and guidance in the BRITISH ROWING “Row Safe” Guidance. Coxswains must ensure that they carry buoyancy aids in good working order (including working gas cartridges where necessary).

Raft Control may carry out random checks of some aspects of boats. Those not meeting these guidelines will not be allowed to boat until they do. The check does NOT indicate that the boat as a whole is compliant.

Crews (and adults responsible for junior crews) should read the Regatta’s safety procedures and should carry out an assessment of the suitability of their boat and their own experience to meet the conditions at the Regatta. All involved in the Regatta should be aware of their duty of care to other river users

While it is competitors’ own responsibility to boat in sufficient time for their race, the raft stewards will always endeavour to boat crews with their opposition. Crews are recommended to allow at least 25 minutes getting from the landing stages to the start.

Crews going to the Start should boat from the upstream boat raft and give way to crews returning from the Finish. Crews should proceed upstream keeping to the Middlesex side of Platt’s Eyot and the buoyed course and proceed well above the start before turning and waiting for the Start Marshal’s orders. Crews should take special care in the channel behind Platt’s Eyot, because this is used by all non-racing river craft during the Regatta.

Warming up before the start

Crews wishing to warm up before their race should do so well upstream of the start. Do not warm up alongside the course or in the channel to the North of Platt’s Eyot, as this has 2 way traffic for the duration of the Regatta

The Start

Crews must follow the instructions given by the start marshals and the umpires at the start, both of whom will be proactive in getting matched crews in the holding area onto the start, possibly before the official race time. All races will be started without reference to absentees.

The Course

The Saturday course is rowed over a distance of 850 metres downstream from stake boats opposite Aquarius Sailing Club and finishing at a culvert on the Surrey bank just below Platt’s Eyot. The course is buoyed on the Middlesex side from the start to the top of Platt’s Eyot, and from the bottom of Platt’s Eyot to the finish. It is not buoyed in the centre. In the case of obstruction on the course, the race may be stopped by the umpire and re-rowed from the stake boats.

The Sunday course is rowed over a distance of 500 metres downstream starting approx. 100 metres downstream of the end of Platt’s Eyot; it is otherwise identical to the Saturday Course

PLEASE NOTE CAREFULLY: In the interests of clarity and uniformity, on both days umpires will usually order errant crews to “Move towards the towpath” or “Move away from the towpath” 

Returning crews must proceed well beyond the Finish, turn opposite Hampton Church and come in against the stream to use the downstream raft.

Prize Giving

A representative of each winning crew must report to Race Control to confirm the crew composition, after which they will be given a winners’ certificate before receiving the crew’s medals.

Prize giving will take place on Saturday at 30 minutes after the last morning race, at 4 pm and at 30 minutes after the last race. On Sunday it will take place 30 minutes after the last race in each wave.

23rd March 2023