Rowing

Hampton 4s & 8s Head 2010: Instructions to Coaches and Crews

Sat. 6 February at 10.30am and 2.00pm

BEFORE THE DAY
We hope to have avoided any mistakes in the start list, but please check the start list and let Neil Double know as soon as possible of any errors, changes or scratchings that have to be made (020 8979 8619, 020 8894 0837, n.double@hamptonschool.org.uk)

Parking: There is only limited space for trailers at Saddler’s Ride Car Park (see map). Please encourage spectators vehicles to park on the roads nearby (see map – there are no parking restrictions in action, but please be courteous to the local residents). On arrival you will be directed as to where to park your trailer. Please do as you are told!

BEFORE GOING AFLOAT
Registration: Numbers will be available from upstairs at Molesey Boat Club (see map) from 8.00am onwards but will only be issued when entry fees, registration numbers and dates of birth have been received.

Number plates: Please ensure that all your boats have Tideway style registration numbers as these are now compulsory on the River Thames (e.g. for Hampton HAM001). NB: Crews racing in boats not carrying compliant ID may receive a time penalty.

Equipment: Please check that you have complied with the rules of racing and Row Safe Guide to Good Practice in Rowing and in particular that Heel Restraints, Bow Balls, Hatch Covers and Life Jackets are in good working order, these may be checked by umpires as the crews go afloat. Make sure all crew members have sufficient warm clothing for the conditions.

COLD: It could well be cold on Saturday. MAKE SURE YOUR CREWS HAVE PLENTY OF WARM KIT ON WHEN THEY GO OUT. If the Marshals and Umpires in the boating area think they are not wearing enough your crews will be sent to TK Max to get some more (and miss their race as a consequence).

Numbers: The large ones are to be worn on Bow’s racing vest AND warm-up top and Cox’s back (where the boat is stern coxed) and held securely with four safety pins.  Please make sure that long hair does not cover the number. You are also issued with Empacher slot numbers, please make sure that you have holders on your boats and that the number is firmly inserted (you may put a small screw through the number).

GETTING ON THE WATER

Boating: Boating will be under the direction of marshals. Crews will boat in ascending numerical order following the timetable, which is enclosed with this information. Boating will start at approx. 9.30am for Division 1 and at 1.00pm for Division 2. Any crew arriving late will be encouraged to boat as soon as possible and to marshal as close to their correct position as time allows, or to start at the end of the division.

Note: The Octs will be racing as their own mini division at the end of division 1 – this is because they will be marshalled at the start in a different way to everyone else NO OCTS WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE WATER UNTIL THE REST OF THE DIV 1 CREWS HAVE BOATED.

Marshalling Instructions: See map for details. Time penalties may be awarded or crews disqualified for behaviour likely to lead to accident.

Octs – see special instructions for Octs.

THE RACE

The Start: Close to the start, crews will receive instructions to remove tops etc. from Marshals on the Middx. bank.  Crews will then move upstream of the line of buoys, turn and move down in the racing lane to the start.  Crews will be told to ‘GO’ approximately 50m above the start. This turning procedure does not apply to Octs who have their own special instructions.

The Race: The course is approx. 3000 metres downstream. Overtaking should take place on the Middx. Station (i.e. to the left as a cox sees it) and competitors being overtaken must give way by moving to the Surrey (towpath) side of the river. However, overtaking crews must do so safely. Crews should not stop moving or attempt to turn until well after the finish line.

Coaching: Although British Rowing rules now allow coaching and steering advice to be given from outside the boat, we would hope that coaches would restrain themselves as much as possible in the interest of fair racing, taking into consideration the likely annoyance to their own and other crews, and the amusement of other coaches.

Accidents: In the event of capsize, crews must stay with their boats and await assistance from a safety boat.

Foul and abusive language: Crews may be liable to time penalties or disqualification if they are heard to use foul and abusive language. Coaches adopting such tactics might also attract such penalties to their crews.

AFTER RACING

Food: Sandwiches, filled rolls and hot drinks will be on sale at the HHBCA refreshment tent, situated near to the Finish Line and near to the Trailer Park at lunchtime. Teas will be available free of charge to all competitors at Molesey Boat Club after racing.

Results: will be announced and prizes presented as soon as possible after racing. We hope this to be as close to 4.30pm as possible.

Would coaches please ensure that litter is picked up and that all toiletry requirements are completed in the privacy of the available toilets.

FIRST AID AND WELFARE OFFICER: Hampton School’s Nurse will be on duty at the HHBCA refreshment tent (see map) from 9.30am until 4pm. In an emergency, she can be contacted on her mobile number (07765 255179). There are also First Aid boxes at Molesey Boat Club, at the Hampton/Holles Boathouse, and in each of the Marshals launches. Alternatively, just grin and bear it.

We have a Welfare Officer whose details are set out in the attached Welfare Policy – if you need to contact her you can do so by phoning the number or speaking to the Chief Umpire (who will be the frazzled looking person at the finish)

Neil