Competitor information

Competitor information

Regatta

The Regatta will be run according to the BR’s Rules of Racing, which are available at Race Control.  They will be applied consistently throughout the Regatta.  Please note the following:

  • The Regatta Committee reserves the right to alter or amend the order of racing.
  • We will try to accommodate all requests regarding rearranging race times, provided both competitors are in agreement. To ease this process on the days of the Regatta, crews are requested to locate their opponents and approach Race Control together at the earliest opportunity. Any rearranging of race times not agreed with race control will result in disqualification.
  • Any crews not at the boating area 20 minutes before their race will result in disqualification.
  • Checks will be carried out on coxswains’ weights. Where coxswains need to carry additional weight, their provision is the responsibility of the crews.  However, we will endeavour to make some weights available (at a reasonable deposit).
  • On Sunday, no row-overs will be allowed.
  • The river is not, and cannot be, closed to general navigation and other river traffic may be encountered using the navigation lane. Competitors must use caution, as other craft may not be familiar with rowing practices and may not heed the requests from regatta officials.  We ask that courtesy to all river users and spectators is observed at all times.

Safety

The Competitors’ Safety Plan is at the end of this document: this encompasses both safety and competition information, including a plan of the course.  This should be read by all competitors.

Arrival and camping

Directions to the Regatta Field can be found below along with a plan of the Regatta Field is enclosed.  Parking is available on the Regatta Field; competitors are requested to adhere to the signage and any controlling marshals.  Specifically, a speed limit of 5mph must be obeyed and the manoeuvring of trailers must only be carried out with a safety person at the rear of the trailer in line of sight with the driver.  Overnight camping is available; toilets are available. For Fire Safety, Tents must be pitched with 1 Meter clearance from guide ropes.  NO BBQs are allowed due to the risks presented by hot weather. Competitors are advised that the Regatta Field is a public area and that, to minimize the risk of damage, boats should be secured to trailers overnight. No overnight first aid cover will be provided.

Identify and verification

Competitors must be able to produce their BR Racing Licence when requested, and this may be inspected as proof of identity and eligibility for the event entered.  All event winners must bring their Racing Licences to registration for inspection and, where appropriate, update prior to prizes being awarded.

Prize giving

On Saturday and Sunday winners may collect their prizes from Race Control following their final.

Social

The Refreshment Marquee and Beer Tent is open all day both days; cooked breakfasts will be available on Sunday morning.  On Saturday evening after racing, the Refreshments Marquee will be holding a Regatta Party.  Entrance is free on production of your BR Membership Card, or as a guest of a BR Member.

Directions

The regatta field

The Regatta is not held at the Rowing Club.  If you proceed there or use its postcode on a Satnav system you will arrive on the wrong side of the river. SatNav: Use postcode: PE19 7AB to get to general location of Regatta Field entrance. what3words: relishes.cheering.opera

By road

From the A1, Southbound

  • Proceed passed the B1041 exit to St Neots and Little Paxton. Leave at the next exit, the B645 to St Neots and Hail Weston.
  • On leaving the A1, turn left at the roundabout, then right at the second roundabout onto Crosshall Road.
  • Crosshall Road goes down towards the valley and sweeps around to the right.  The Regatta Field is on the left, with the entrance shortly after the pedestrian crossing lights.

From the A1, Northbound

  • Proceed passed the A428 St Neots and Cambridge exit.  Leave at the next exit, the B645 to St Neots and Hail Weston.
  • On leaving the A1, at the T junction turn right and cross the A1.  At the roundabout go straight ahead along Crosshall Road.
  • Crosshall Road goes down towards the valley and sweeps around to the right.  The Regatta Field is on the left, with the entrance shortly after the pedestrian crossing lights.

From Cambridge on the A428 Westbound

  • At the first roundabout prior to St Neots take the signposted right-hand turning onto the B1428.
  • Proceed into St Neots, along the High Street, pass the Market Square and over the Town Bridge.
  • At the roundabout on the far side of the Town Bridge turn right, where the entrance to the Regatta Field is approximately 200m on the right (before the pedestrian crossing lights).

Alternatively, to avoid traffic congestion in the centre of the town:  Keep on the A428 until the A1, then head North and follow the Northbound direction above.

Regatta field layout

Regatta course layout

Competitor safety information

The Regatta is operated under the British Rowing Racing Code.  This Safety Plan outlines for competitors the water safety related procedures to be followed during the regatta.  We have also included other race related information that competitors will need.  We ask that each coxswain, sculler and crew member takes the time to read and note the contents. We reserve the right to amend this plan during the event, if circumstances dictate

All boats must have secure bow balls, correctly adjusted heel restraints and watertight buoyancy compartments.  Each coxswain must wear an approved lifejacket / buoyancy aid and know how to use it.  Self-inflating lifejackets / buoyancy aids are not allowed in front-loading boats.  Umpires’ inspections will be conducted and omissions may lead to disqualification.  Note, however: the prevention of rowing equipment malfunction is a competitor responsibility.

Race control/registration

(Marquee adjacent to the finish on the Regatta Field): Collect numbers, make any crew substitutions and re-schedule race times here. Crews are reminded that race changes must be agreed with their opponents and with Race Control.

Trailer parking

  • The Regatta Field is a public space and the area set aside for the Trailer Park has footpaths running through it. Competitors should be aware when taking boats to and from the boating area that members of the public unfamiliar with rowing may be in the vicinity and take appropriate care.

Boating

  • During racing, boating is only to take place from the landing stages on the Regatta Field, upstream of the finish. (The club does not have permission to use the grassed area adjacent to the clubhouse).
  • Scullers, bowmen of crews and coxswains are to carry the correct number for the race they are proceeding up to.
  • Entry to the Boating Area will be controlled by regatta officials, who will ensure that crews are paired up before boating. Crews should be ready to boat 20 minutes before the race time. Competitors should allow at least 15 minutes to reach the start and should row ‘light’ all the way.  A crew not at the start on time will be liable to be disqualified.
  • Crews and scullers must leave the landing stages as soon as they are seated in their boats. Adjustments should be made after leaving the landing stage.

Proceeding to the start

  • The route to the start is by way of the narrow Navigation Lane along the edge of the Regatta Field and is marked by green buoys. Waiting crews in the Navigation Lane must on no account encroach on the course and must keep clear of all racing boats at all times.
  • Note that through the regatta area the rules of navigation of the river are changed and normal river traffic proceeding downstream has to use the Navigation Lane. Crews must therefore be alert to all river users and ensure that before they undertake any manoeuvres they check ahead.

Start marshalling area

  • The start marshals are positioned on the Rowing Club side of the river. On arrival at the start area, crews must identify themselves to the start marshal, located approximately 100m downstream of the start, who will advise them of any necessary arrangements prior to their race start.
  • Racing stations are identified as the Rowing Club and the Regatta Field. The first named crew rows on the Rowing Club side.
  • Practice outings on the course are strictly prohibited once racing has started. Practice and warming up must be carried out at least 200m downstream of the start beyond the crews waiting to race, where there is ample space.  Crews should, however, ensure that they are available in the marshalling area in time for their race start, and be aware that safety cover is not provided beyond the marshalling area.  Captains/coaches should consider whether it is appropriate to instruct less experienced competitors (particularly juniors) not to proceed beyond the start marshalling area.
  • Crews should note that downstream of the start area the normal rules of river navigation apply – crews must keep to the right. Care must be taken by crews when crossing the stream within the marshalling area.

The start

  • The start is from stake boats. Care should be taken in backing onto the stake boats; the juniors manning the stake boats are instructed to hold competitors’ boats only when they are stationary, not to catch them.

The course

  • Saturday course: 1000m upstream.  Sunday course:  500m upstream.  The racing lanes are separated by white buoys.  In Saturday races, scullers and coxless crews should be aware that the curvature of the bank on the inside bend is greater than that of the course and that there is a risk, for the unaware, of steering towards the boats moored in the marina on the clubhouse side of the river.  A line of red buoys is positioned to indicate the lane where the divergence of the bank is severe.  Yellow buoys replace the white centre lane buoys to mark the approach to, and extent of, the bend.  To avoid being seduced into hazardous situations, crews should follow the line of the buoys separating the 2 racing lanes.
  • In the interests of the safety of competitors, any sculler or coxless crew having difficulty in steering round the bend on the 1000m course will be assisted by the umpire(s) to negotiate the bend; however, it remains the crew’s responsibility to steer the other parts of the course. The umpire(s) will pay due attention to the safety of both crews and the fairness of his/her actions.

The finish

  • The finish is at Race Control (opposite the club house). Having crossed the Finish Line, crews should continue through the bridge and spin before returning to the landing stage.

Rescue boats

  • Rescue boats will be positioned to provide rescue cover from the marshalling area upstream to the town bridge. Rescue boats will be in position 30 minutes before the start of racing until 10 minutes after the last race of each day.

First aid

  • A First aid provider First Aid tent is located on the Regatta Field, downstream from Race Control. Any junior requiring first aid treatment should be escorted to the First Aid tent by a responsible adult, who will be expected to remain with the junior throughout his/her stay.

Safety advisor: Contact through Race Control.

Telephone numbers

Telephones are situated: in the clubhouse, in the market square and a mobile telephone will be available in Race Control.

  • Emergency: Fire, Police, Ambulance                 999
  • Hinchingbrooke Hospital:                                  01480 416416

Competitors’ responsibility

  • Whilst we endeavour to provide a safe system at this event, each competitor and competing club also has a duty of care to themselves and others.
  • Competitors are responsible for ensuring that their boats are safe and prepared to the standards required by British Rowing.
  • Competitors are responsible for complying with this Safety Plan.
  • Every competitor is expected to be in good health and to be able to swim for a minimum of 50m in kit.

Accidents and emergencies

  • The whole of the course is visible to marshals and/or race control. Umpiring and marshalling positions are equipped with throwing lines and safety boats are positioned on the course and course officials are connected by radio.  In the event of capsize crews should stay with their boat until assistance arrives, and if possible make for the bank.  The First Aid Post, on the Regatta field, can give immediate medical aid and are in touch with the Emergency Services.
  • An BR Incident Report form must be completed for all water-based accidents, collisions or capsizes; forms are available at Race Control.
  • Race Control may suspend (totally or partially) racing should river or weather condition necessitate.

Swimming

  • Swimming in the river is strongly discouraged.The Regatta Committee cannot take responsibility for incidents that may occur due to competitors failing to heed this advice.

Training

  • Crews who train, or go out on the river, more than 30 minutes prior to the first race or after the last race on either day will not be under the protection of safety launches or any other arrangements that the Regatta Committee may have in place. Ensure that you know the rules of navigation: they revert to normal outside racing hours.