Race and Safety Rules

Molesey Veteran Head

  1. Race and Safety Rules – Instructions to competitors

 

It is a condition of entry that this document and the MVH risk assessment is the be read by all Clubs entering crews into this event and it is to be the responsibility of each Club’s Captain (or such other authorised officer of the Club) to review the information in this document alongside the guidance contained in the British Rowing Water Safety Code in determining whether the crews which they have entered are adequately prepared, trained and equipped to take part in this event

 

There will be a pre race briefing at 12.00 in the MBC Clubhouse which must be attended by all Club representatives and all coxes. This will provide an update of river conditions

 

The attached course map will provide further information including

  • Course layout
  • Start and finish locations
  • Marshall and Umpire positions
  • Access locations for emergency services if required
  • Locations of notable hazards along this reach of the river
  • Areas which crews may not enter unless directed by an event marshal or umpire
  • Boating areas
  • Location of washing, changing, medical and welfare facilities

 

The instructions of race officials must be observed at all times and in particular when marshalling to start positions, turning around the buoy upstream of the race start and on the return to the MBC clubhouse and landing stages where there will be marshals at 2 positions on the entry to the Molesey Lock cut (this is the section of the river on which Molesey Boat Club is sited) to ensure that the flow of boats into this area and the rate at which they are cleared from the river is such that we do not have excess numbers of boats in the area of the Molesey Lock weir which could place crews at risk of being drawn over the weir sluices

 

1  Safety

 

Entrants must do everything possible to avoid injury or collision when marshalling or racing.
Be aware that the stream maybe strong at this time of year and the water and weather cold, crews should be selected and prepared accordingly

 

  • You must attend the 12.00 pre-race briefing and familiarise yourself with the course map before taking to the water
  • Follow the directions shown on the course map at all times
  • Keep to the RIGHT hand side of the centre of the river at all times
  • You must comply with British Rowing Rules of Racing and observe the British Rowing Water Safety Code (inc the rules on the selection and use of equipment)
  • You must observe the directions of Umpires and Marshals

 

2  Proceeding to the start

 

  • Keep to the right of the river going to the start until directed to cross over to the marshalling areas
  • The eights marshalling area is well below Sunbury lock on the south or SURREY bank.
  • Crews should form a single line with boat number ONE at the top, starting just below the water intake on the Surrey bank above Sunbury Court Island as directed by the Marshals.
  • There are markers on the bank for positions 1, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50.
  • Fours should marshal immediately behind the last eight on the SURREY side.
  • In the event of a second division being needed, this may be marshalled on the Middlesex bank until the last boat of the first division has passed safely.
  • Crews must be in position at least ten minutes before the start of the race. This do this you must be clear of the landing stage at Molesey Boat Club at least thirty five minutes before the start.
  • Crews arriving in the starting area will come under the direction of a marshal. If you do arrive late, you will be held on the Middlesex side below Bungalow Island until all other crews have started. A crew which arrives late and interferes in any way with a crew which has started will receive a 30 second penalty.
  • Practice starts must be only be carried out along the Surrey side of Platt’s Eyot, not from the race start point. The last point to turn for a practice start is at Aquarius Sailing Club under the direction of a marshal.

 

3 The Start

 

  • The start is clearly marked on the Surrey bank.
  • When the signal for the race to start is given by loud-hailer, all crews should remove sweaters, paddle in order up-stream and turn round the TURNING BUOY. Keep at one boat’s length spacing, and turn well upstream of the buoy, allowing for the current.
  • After turning, row down towards the start, but do not stop again unless told to do so by the Start Marshal. Crews will be told to start as they cross the line thus: “No.1..Go!, No 2 ..Go!” and so on.
    The timing start is five or six strokes beyond the start line.

 

4   The Race

 

  • Crews must keep to the RIGHT of the centre of the river, and give way to overtaking crews by going to the RIGHT towards the Surrey bank.
  • Umpires are stationed at intervals along the towpath and will report any infringement of the rules by crews and penalties may be applied by them

 

5 The Finish

 

  • The finish is at Hampton Ferry, opposite Hampton Church, and is marked with a FINISH sign on the Surrey bank.
  • Crews should keep moving at the finish so as not to impede other crews, and steer to the LEFT of Garrick Island.
  • DO NOT GO to the left of Tagg’s island as there is a weir at the bottom of that channel
  • At the upstream end of Tagg’s Island there will be marshals who will direct you as to when it is safe to proceed along the cut to the boating areas at MBC
  • Turn opposite the Club and come into the landing stage. Do not proceed further past the MBC landing stage than directed by the bank marshals as there is a large weir on the North side of the lock channel

 

6  Generally

 

  • Boating and changing facilities will be available at Molesey Boat Club
  • Trailer parking is available in Graburn Way and will be under the direction of a marshal. Boat assembly will take place inside the MBC compound or in the Cricket Club as directed on arrival.
  • Registration desk will be open from 11 a.m. Race numbers can only be collected from the Registration Desk after the mandatory pre race briefing at 12 noon,
  • Entry fees must have been pre-paid before publication of the race order, unless permission has been pre-arranged to pay on the day. Entries must be made via BROE.

 

REFUND OF RACE FEES
In the event of cancellation, an alternative date may be offered. Refunds of race fees will be made proportionately after deduction of unavoidable race expenses

 

13/1/15