2003 Australian Nationals Rowing Championships




	Australian Rowing Championships and Interstate Regatta	Saturday February 4, 2012

Boat Traffic Rules - Start Area

The Organising Committee for the 2003 Australian Rowing Championships & Kings Cup Regatta recommends that all crews and scullers who will be competing at the event, particularly School crews, take some time to consider these notes and the attached diagram:

Start Pontoon Layout

1.    The Start Pontoon is manned by:

The Starter (who is in control of all operations of the Start pontoon) appointed by the Boat Race Officials Jury.
The Starter's Assistant appointed by the Boat Race Officials Jury.
A Start Pontoon Supervisor appointed by the Organising Committee
16 Scout Boatholders working in two teams of 8

2.    There is no access to the North of the course between the Start pontoon and the Eastern Shore.

3.    It is not the responsibility of the Boatholders to prevent a rowing skiff from colliding with the Start Pontoon. In fact they are instructed not to do so to avoid personal injury. It is the responsibility of each crew and sculler to control their craft and to ensure the boat holder is able to “lock on” to the boat without personal injury.

4.    Boats may approach the Start Pontoon from two directions:

From point "A" to the drawn lane at the call of the Starter for those crews and scullers who have approached the Start Pontoon without crossing the course
From point "B" to the drawn lane at the call of the Starter for those crews and scullers who have approached the Start Pontoon, sought permission from the Starter to cross the course and undertaken warm-up to the North of the Start

Care is required by all crews in taking their drawn lane at the direction of the Starter.

5.    When crews are asked to take their lane for an event, they should do so as close to the Start pontoon as possible (i.e. within five boat lengths) to avoid time delay in backing boats a long and unnecessary way.

6.    Large boat crews should be trained in the alignment of their boats once “locked on” to a boat holder. In particular, eights and fours should be well versed in “passing a blade forward” (i.e. Bow passing their oar to two and two passing their oar to three etc.) to keep their boat either straight down their lane or into the wind in the case of head or cross wind conditions. This will avoid delays to the programme and frustration of competitors and officials, particularly in events involving School crews).

7.    No crews or scullers should at any time enter the NO ROW AREAS indicated on the attached plan. In addition, no crew or sculler awaiting their event should be within 50 m of the Start Line so as to interfere with the alignment of crews and the start of a race.

8.    The Start Area (i.e. the area within 100m of the Start) is a quiet zone.

9.    No crew is permitted to cross the course without first having sought the permission of the Starter.

10.   If damage to equipment occurs, the crew or sculler is asked to come direct to the Work Barge for attention.

11.   All competitors are asked to respect and acknowledge and to treat with courtesy the volunteers working on the Start pontoon. They are there to help you.

12.   Toilet facilities are available on the Start pontoon in case of an emergency. Access is to be via the Work Barge.

Printable Version of Start Platform/Traffic Rules

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