All race courses used for registered regattas, except those used for head races, shall be held on a body of water at least as long and as wide as is required under these Rules for the course itself and the area beyond the finish. The race course shall furthermore comply with all the other requirements of this Part.
(a) The length of a race course shall be 2000 meters from start line to finish line, except that the race course for Masters shall be 1000 meters.
(b) There shall be an additional expanse of open water beyond the finish line in order for the crews safely to come to rest. At least 100 meters shall be available for such runoff, unless the local organizing committee arranges for alternate means of providing for safety (such as conspicuous warning markings or marshalls' boats).
(a) Course: The course shall be wide enough to accommodate lanes described in subsection (b) below. The course shall be able to accommodate at least three lanes. No more than eight lanes shall be used in racing.
(b) Lanes: If the Albano or other similar buoy system is used, each lane shall be no less than 12.5 meters and no more than 15 meters wide (13.5 meters preferred). If such a buoy system is not used, each lane shall be no less than 15 meters and no more than 20 meters wide (15 meters recommended).
(a) USRowing may render a determination on whether the natural environment existing at a course site generally renders the site sufficiently safe and fair to hold a registered regatta. The fact that such certification is granted shall not be construed as a representation or guarantee that safe and fair conditions will actually exist, nor shall it limit the authority of race officials to make determinations on whether safe and fair conditions actually exist at the time the regatta takes place.
(b) In determining whether a course is generally suitable for a registered regatta, USRowing may consider, among other things, the following factors:
(1) whether the course is uniformly sheltered from wind;
(2) whether the course is free of obstacles lining the shore, such as trees, buildings, or dikes, that would cause unequal wind or water conditions on the course;
(3) whether the course is free of any current, or whether any current that does exist is slight and equal across the course;
(4) whether the banks of the course will absorb rather than reflect waves;
(5) whether the course is free of obstructions such as bridge abutments or islands;
(6) the prevailing climate.
(a) USRowing may classify courses within the United States as either Class "A," Class "B," or Class "C" courses.
(b) In classifying courses, USRowing shall rely on the criteria set forth in this Part. If USRowing is of the opinion that a course not complying with all the applicable specifications should nevertheless be certified as falling in a particular class, it may do so provided that it specifically finds that the course complies with substantially all the requirements for the class, and that any deviations do not detract from the quality of the course as compared to others in that class.
A Class "A" course is one that complies with the following specifications:
(a) Body of Water: The water shall be capable of accommodating the course, plus any required runoff area, with no bends or turns. Any current shall be less than one meter per minute.
(b) Lanes: There shall be a minimum of six lanes, with eight preferred.
(c) Depth: The water shall be at least 3 meters deep throughout the course.
(d) Perimeter: There shall be a distance of at least 5 meters between the outer perimeter of the course and the shore, obstacle, or any fixed installation.
(e) Obstacles: There shall be no fixed obstructions on the course, such as bridge abutments or islands.
(f) Buoys: A buoy system, such as the Albano buoy system, shall be used, in which the boundaries of each lane are marked with floating buoys every 10 to 12.5 meters (10 meters recommended). The buoys shall be of supple construction, and their horizontal diameter shall not exceed 15 centimeters.
(1) The first 100 meters of the course shall be indicated by a different color of buoy to mark the starting area.
(2) At every 250 meters along the course, a differently colored set of buoys shall be strung across the course to indicate the distance interval.
(3) The last 250 meters of the course shall be indicated by a different color of buoy to mark the finish area.
(g) Starting Stations: Each lane at the start shall be equipped with a starting station, platform, or stake- boat, solidly anchored.
(1) The starting station shall be capable of being occupied by at least one person who can hold a crew stationary or alter the crew's alignment as required during the starting procedures.
(2) The starting station shall be capable of adjustment to accommodate different sized boats, so that each type of boat can be aligned with its bow on the starting line.
(3) If stakeboats are used, each stakeboat shall be anchored by at least 200 lbs. of weight, or else attached to a fixed installation, to prevent the stake- boat from drifting.
(4) Each starting station shall be equipped with a headset or other communication device so that communication is possible between it and the Aligner's Station without being audible to the crews.
(h) Steering Marks: Behind the center of each lane there shall be placed two markers, one behind the other, and both visible for the first 500 meters of the course. These markers shall be placed so that, when aligned, they will point the occupant of the lane directly down the course.
(i) Starter's Tower: The Starter's Tower shall be firmly fixed 30 to 50 meters behind the starting line and in the center of the course.
(1) The Starter's Tower shall include a prominent platform for the Starter that provides sufficient elevation so that the Starter and each crew have an unobstructed line of vision to each other. A height of no less than three meters and no more than six meters is recommended.
(2) The Starter's Tower shall be equipped with a loudspeaker system so that the Starter can be heard clearly for the first 500 meters of the course. It is recommended but not required that each lane have an individual loudspeaker connected to this system so that the Starter's commands are heard simultaneously at each starting station. Such an individual loudspeaker system shall be required if the Starter's Tower is more than 40 meters from the starting line.
(3) The Starter's Tower shall be equipped with a clock and with a chalkboard or other means by which to post information, both of which shall be clearly visible to the crews.
(j) Communications: The Starter's Tower, Aligner's Station, Judges' Stand, and Launching Area shall all be capable of direct communication with each other by radio, telephone, or other electronic medium.
(k) Aligner's Station: On one side of the course there shall be an Aligner's Station, situated directly on the starting line, which can accommodate the Judge at Start and the Aligner. The Aligner's Station shall be equipped with a vertical wire which, when aligned with a target on the opposite side of the course, indicates the exact starting line. Alternatively, the Aligner's Station may be equipped with two vertical wires which, when aligned with each other, indicate the exact starting line.
(1) The Aligner's Station shall be equipped with videotape equipment that shows and records the starting line wire, the bows of the boats, and the Starter's verbal or visual commands simultaneously.
(l) Repair Facilities: In the vicinity of the starting line there shall be a facility equipped with tools and available spare parts with which to make simple repairs on boats. The local organizing committee may require that each team make available a spare oar to be stored at this facility for use by its crews if necessary.
(m) Distance Markers: The starting line shall be designated as 0 meters and the finish line as 2000 meters. At each interval of 250 meters between the start and finish, the distance from the starting line shall be marked either on clearly visible boards on shore at least 2 meters by 1 meter in size, or else by floating cubes on the water at least 1 cubic meter in size.
(n) Intermediate Times: A station and necessary equipment shall be provided at every 500 meters so that intermediate times may be recorded and transmitted to the finish line. Each station shall be capable of accommodating two persons, one to record intermediate times, and the other to record intermediate orders of boats.
(o) Judges' Stand: The Judges' Stand shall be equipped with a facility so that the Chief Judge and the Judges may sit one behind and above another, and so that each has an unobstructed view of the finish line.
(1) The Judges' Stand shall be equipped with a vertical wire which, when aligned with a target on the opposite side of the course, indicates the exact finish line. Alternatively, the Judges' Stand may be equipped with two vertical wires which, when aligned with each other, indicate the exact finish line.
(2) The Judges' Stand shall be isolated from intrusion or distraction by spectators or team members.
(3) The Judges' Stand shall have a photofinish camera, designed for use in judging the order of finish in sporting events, firmly mounted and positioned directly on the finish line.
(p) Launching Area: Launching docks capable of accommodating at least three 8+ boats simultaneously shall be provided for the competing crews. There shall also be facilities to accommodate a Dockmaster and the Control Commission.
(q) First Aid: First aid facilities shall be provided at the regatta site capable of dealing with minor injuries, and of providing immediate attention for hypothermia, drowning, dehydration, and heat stroke. The first aid facility shall have the capability of summoning an ambulance, paramedics, or other emergency assistance that is on call and within ten minutes travel distance. If such emergency assistance is not located within ten minutes distance, the local organizing committee shall provide for an ambulance or paramedic to be present at the site.
A Class "B" course shall comply with all of the requirements of a Class "A" course, with the following exceptions:
(a) Body of Water: Any current shall be less than six meters per minute.
(b) Lanes: There shall be a minimum of four lanes.
(c) Depth: The depth shall be sufficient to ensure safe racing.
(d) Perimeter: Any fixed installation or obstacle that encroaches nearer than 5 meters from the outer edge of the course shall, if not conspicuous, be marked with warning buoys or other device to indicate their presence.
(e) Obstacles: Any fixed obstructions such as bridge abutments or islands shall not obstruct the proper path of a crew in a race, shall not create a hazard or unfair condition. If such obstacles are not conspicuous, they shall be clearly marked with warning buoys or other device to indicate their presence.
(f) Buoys: The Albano or other buoy system need not be used. There shall be buoys or overhead lane markers every 250 meters to mark the boundaries of each lane.
(1) The 100 meter mark of the course shall be indicated by two buoys at each side of the course to mark the starting area.
(g) Starting Stations: The starting stations, platforms, or stakeboats need not be adjustable. The Judge at Start may communicate with the starting station attendants by audible megaphone.
(h) Steering Marks: The steering marks may consist of a single marker behind the center of each lane.
(i) Starter's Tower: The Starter's Tower may consist of an anchored boat, so long as the Starter and the crews are still visible to each other.
(j) Communications: [Same as Class "A"]
(k) Aligner's Station: If a split screen videotape device is not available, the Aligner's Station shall be in direct communication with the Starter by radio or other electronic medium, so that the Judge at Start can hear the starting commands without delay caused by through-the-air transmission.
(l) Repair Facilities: The Repair Facilities may consist of simple tools kept in the Referee's launch or the Starter's Tower.
(m) Distance Markers: The distance markers at each 500 meters may consist of simple stripes painted on the shore, as long as they are clearly visible to the crews.
(n) Intermediate Times: The facility for intermediate times is not required.
(o) Judges' Stand: The Judges' Stand may be equipped with ordinary videotape recorder equipment firmly mounted and positioned directly on the finish line.
(p) Launching Area: [Same as Class "A"]
(q) First Aid: [Same as Class "A"]
A Class "C" course is one that does not meet the requirements of a Class "A" or Class "B" course, but nevertheless meets the minimum requirements described in Part a of this Article. If the course has not previously been certified by USRowing under Rule 7-104 ("Certification; Other Conditions"), the local organizing committee, in its application to USRowing for registration, shall provide a complete description of the course configuration, installations, and facilities, and shall represent to USRowing that the course is adequate to promote safety and fairness.
This Article shall apply to all races at registered regattas that are conducted as head races. Articles I (General), III (Equipment), IV (Competitors), and V (Regattas) shall, where applicable by their terms, also apply to head races. Article VII (Courses) shall not apply to head races. Article II (Conduct of the Race) shall apply to head races to the extent is not superseded by the provisions of this Article.
(a) Head races shall be conducted on a course that is wide enough for a participating crew to navigate safely, for an overtaking crew to pass another crew, and for non- participating crews to travel to and from a launching area without impeding crews involved in a race.
(b) Turns or changes in the direction of the race course shall be limited to those that can be negotiated at a normal racing pace with normal steering using a rudder and differential oar pressure.
(1) Turns of 180 degrees around a single point are forbidden.
(c) The starting area shall have ample room above the start line so that all crews in an event can be marshalled without interfering with the starting chute and starting line.
(d) The area beyond the finish line shall have ample room to allow crews that have finished a race to row away from the finish line without interfering with crews still racing.
(e) The local organizing committee shall provide for first aid facilities at the regatta site capable of dealing with minor injuries, and of providing immediate attention for hypothermia, drowning, dehydration, and heat stroke. The first aid facility shall have the capability of summoning an ambulance, paramedics, or other emergency assistance that is on call and within ten minutes travel distance. If such emergency assistance is not located within ten minutes distance, the local organizing committee shall provide for an ambulance or paramedic to be present at the site.
(f) The local organizing committee shall provide for instantaneous communication, such as radio or telephone, between the starting line, finish line, and any monitors stationed along the course.
[supersedes Article VII]
(a) Hazardous areas, such as shallows, underwater obstructions, narrow passes, side channels, and areas where water traffic crosses the course, shall be conspicuously marked with buoys or other markers that are visible from both directions of the course.
(b) The starting line installation shall be marked with buoys on both sides forming a chute to guide the crews into the start, and extending at least 50 meters above the starting line.
(c) The finish line shall be conspicuously marked.
(d) Turns on the course shall be conspicuously marked with buoys.
For each race, the Chief Referee shall cause to be
assigned officials to perform the following functions:
(a) Starter: The Starter shall be stationed on the starting line and shall be responsible for administering the starting procedures, including maintaining the order of the start and the proper intervals between crews.
(b) Marshall: The Marshall shall be positioned in a launch in the starting area and is responsible for organizing participating crews above the start into the proper order and interval.
(c) Timer: The Timer shall be stationed at the start and shall mark the starting time of each crew.
(d) Clerk: The Clerk is responsible for recording and communicating the starting time for each crew.
(e) Monitors: Monitors shall be stationed at each point along the course, either on shore or in launches, wherever conditions may require the observation or control of crews. Monitors shall note any violation of local regatta rules, including traffic pattern rules, right of way rules, or turning rules, and report such violations to the Chief Judge for appropriate penalties. Monitors shall give instructions to crews to avoid serious collision or accident, to avoid interference, and are empowered to disqualify a crew on the spot while a race is in progress.
(1) A monitor shall be stationed at each point on the course requiring a turn of more than 45 degrees.
(2) A monitor shall be stationed at each point on the course in which a narrow passage would prevent an overtaking crew from passing safely.
(3) A monitor shall be stationed in any area where the local regatta rules prescribe penalties for not maintaining an established course or for making an improper turn.
(4) A monitor may also be assigned to assist the Marshall in the starting area in enforcing the warm-up and staging traffic pattern.
(f) Chief Judge: The Chief Judge shall mark the finish time of each crew, and shall be assisted by sufficient timers and clerical personnel to provide for the rapid and accurate determination of the order of finish.
[supersedes Rule 2- 104(a)]
The Chief Referee, Starter, Marshall, Monitors, members of the Jury, and Chief Judge shall possess a valid USRowing Judge-Referee license. Upon application by the local organizing committee, the USRowing Judge-Referee Committee may grant exemptions from this requirement to particular regattas.
[supersedes Rules 2-104(b)]
For each regatta sponsoring a head race, the local organizing committee shall devise and publish local regatta rules that govern the conduct of racing and that are adapted to the particular characteristics of the course. Such rules shall include the following items:
(a) The traffic pattern to be used by crews while launching, travelling to the starting area, waiting for their turn at the start, racing on the course itself, and travelling after the finish.
(b) Right of way rules during the race itself, including any circumstances in which passing is not allowed.
(c) Penalties, such as time penalties, to be enforced for violation of the traffic pattern, right of way rules, turning rules, or violation of course boundaries.
(d) Starting procedures, including the time at which crews must appear at the starting area, the starting order, the starting interval, and staging procedures.
(e) The manner in which instructions to crews will be given during the race.
(f) The map of the course required under Rule 8-107.
[supersedes Rules 2-204, 2-205, 2-206, 2-401 to 2-403, 2-405, 2-406]
The local organizing committee shall prepare and publish a map of the course, showing the starting area, finish area, paths to be taken by launching or returning crews, the location of the first aid station, and the course itself. In showing the course itself, the map shall indicate the location of turns, any known
hazardous conditions, course boundaries, course markings, the assigned positions of monitors, and any no passing zones.
[supersedes Rule 2-203]
(a) Before the start of each event, the Marshall, Starter, or Clerk shall verify the presence of scheduled crews. Any crew that does not appear within the time specified in the local regatta rules may be excluded by the Marshall or Starter.
(b) The local organizing committee may require that each crew shall carry a bow number, denoting its place in the starting order, or that the bowperson of each crew have the bow number affixed to his or her back, or both.
(c) At the signal of the Starter, the Marshall shall direct the crews into the starting chute in the proper order and at the correct interval.
(d) Crews shall be responsible for maintaining their proper order, for maintaining the proper interval between it and other crews, and for staying within the chute as they approach the starting line. Crews not maintaining their proper position may be delayed, moved to the end of the starting order, penalized, or excluded by the Marshall or Starter.
(e) All crews not currently involved in the staging of the start shall yield to crews being summoned by the Marshall or Starter. A crew that interferes with the staging of the start may be penalized by the Marshall or Starter.
(f) As a crew approaches the starting line, the Starter shall instruct them as necessary to maintain the proper interval. As the crew touches the starting line, the Timer shall note the time and the identity of the crew for recording and communication by the Clerk.
(g) If racing is delayed, the Starter shall provide for a sufficient amount of time between events, such that crews in different events do not overlap at the finish line.
[supersedes Part C of Article II]
(a) Launches for monitors shall normally be stationary while a race is in progress, but may move to respond to emergencies.
(b) Monitors shall give instructions to crews in the manner set forth in the Rules of Rowing. Should it be necessary to exclude or disqualify a crew during a race, the monitor shall raise a white flag, order the crew to "Stop!", and announce the decision.
(c) After a crew has finished the race, it shall continue to row at least 100 meters to avoid interfering with following crews.
[supersedes Rule 2-207]
(a) As each crew touches the finish line, the Chief Judge shall mark the time of finish and the identity of the crew.
(b) After the finish, the Chief Judge shall observe the finishing crews to see if assistance is needed.
(c) At the completion of each event, the timers and clerical personnel under the supervision of the Chief Judge shall calculate the elapsed time for each crew by comparing the finishing time with the starting time. The order of finish shall be determined according to the order of elapsed times, after any time penalties have been assessed.
[supersedes Part E of Article II]
(a) Time Penalties: The local organizing committee may provide in the local regatta rules for the imposition of time penalties, to be added to a crew's elapsed time, for violation of the traffic pattern, right of way rules, turning rules, or violation of course boundaries. Time penalties may also be imposed by race officials for infractions of the rules that would have been punishable by a warning or false start under Article II of these Rules.
(b) Exclusion: A crew that is excluded shall be removed from the event. The excluded crew may still compete in other events.
(c) Disqualification: A crew that is disqualified shall be removed from all subsequent races and events in the same regatta. Disqualification shall be presumed to be appropriate where a crew has acted in flagrant or intentional violation of rules concerning safety or fairness.
(1) In no event shall the duration of disqualification imposed by an individual race official or Jury exceed the duration of the regatta. All cases of disqualification, however, shall be reported to the USRowing Judge-Referee Committee.
(2) Instead of disqualifying a crew, race officials may disqualify an individual competitor, in which case the remainder of the crew may continue in subsequent events in which it is able to comply with the rule regarding substitutions (Rule 5-207).
[supersedes Rule 2-602]
The provisions contained in this Appendix are supplied as an example of customary rules for the conduct of head races. They are not binding unless and until incorporated into local regatta rules by the local organizing committee under Rule 8-106.
(a) Starting: The Starter will arrange the crews so that crews cross the starting line at approximately ten second intervals. The starting order shall be determined by random lot.
(b) Right of Way: A crew is deemed to be overtaking another crew when it has moved to within one length of open water of the crew ahead. On those portions of the course that are straight, a crew being overtaken shall move to the right and allow the overtaking crew to pass. Where the course turns, a crew being overtaken shall move to the outside of the turn and allow the overtaking crew to pass along the shorter path. Nevertheless, passing is not allowed, nor is the crew being overtaken required to yield, in cases where the overtaking crew's position clearly prevents safe passage or where there is insufficient room to yield.
(c) Penalties:
(1) Where buoys mark the boundaries of the course, and in particular mark turns on the course, a crew shall be penalized ten seconds for each buoy that the crew passes incorrectly. A crew passes a buoy incorrectly when any part of its hull passes on the wrong side of the buoy.
(2) A crew that misses its correct order at the start shall be penalized ten seconds.
(3) A crew that fails to yield to a crew being summoned to the starting area, or that otherwise interferes with the staging of the start, may be penalized ten seconds by the Marshall or Starter.
(4) A crew that fails to yield to a crew having proper right of way shall be penalized 30 seconds.
(5) A crew that crosses the starting line without its required bow number
shall be penalized 60 seconds.
(a) The rules contained in Part A of this Article shall be known as the USRowing Open Water Rules.
(b) These Open Water Rules shall apply to all races that are held on open bodies of water, such as bays, gulfs, large lakes, or the ocean, and that do not comply with the minimum requirements of Article VII (Courses). Other parts of the Rules of Rowing shall apply only if specifically adopted pursuant to the particular rules for the event (Rule 9-103).
The following principles shall govern the conduct of open water racing:
(a) The local organizing committee and race officials shall provide for the safety of participants and fairness of the competition, and shall be empowered to take whatever action is necessary to achieve those purposes.
(b) The equipment used shall be appropriate to the body of water on which the race is held, and shall be capable of being operated safely under the prevailing environmental conditions.
(c) Race officials shall be appointed in sufficient number to observe and control the race, and to protect the competing boats from outside interference and hazard.
(d) There shall be adequate communication between the competing boats, race officials and safety personnel, and there shall be a commonly understood method by which officials may relay instructions to competing boats.
(e) The course shall be adequately marked, and
shall be described or identified to the competitors before the race begins.
(f) Crews shall progress on the course without outside assistance or interference. If a crew is affected positively or negatively by an unfair circumstance, it is the responsibility of race officials to restore fair racing conditions.
(g) Each boat shall be equipped with safety devices, including PFDs, in sufficient number to accommodate every competitor.
To be eligible for registration by USRowing, each class or type of open water competition shall present for approval a set of particular rules and requirements that implement the General Principles of Open Water Racing contained in Rule 9-102, and that are adapted to the particular needs of that event.