Rowing Rules: The 2007 Rules of Racing as approved by the Rowing Canada Aviron directors (current as of June 2008). More here  (PDF file)

 CHIEF OFFICIALS' CHECKLIST   Printable Version

A full complement of officials for a regatta include:
1. A starter and assistant
2. A finish judge and assistant(s)
3. Two race referees
4. A Clerk of course
5. A dock Marshall
6. A weigh-in official

• RCA Rules of Racing state a minimum of 2 licensed officials must be present for sanction. Manitoba Rowing Association has requested 4   
• Check with provincial officials' chair to find out officials who have agreed to work. Make arrangements to borrow the official's equipment.
• One week prior to event contact officials to confirm time of pre-race meeting and position that they will cover. Also inform jury members who they will be.
• If you don't have enough officials to cover all positions contact regatta chairperson to request additional assistance
• On race day ensure the following items are in place prior to the regatta meeting:
  1. Medical services
  2. Safety launches
  3. Washrooms
  4. Shelter for athletes
  5. Registration area
  6. Weigh-in area
  7. Telephone system
  8. Visible start line
  9. Visible finish line
  10. Adequate and safe approaches and launching facilities
  11. Fluid / food for officials and boat operators
  12. P.A. system to call crews
  13. Weigh scale
   
• Prior to Regatta Meeting meet with Regatta Chairperson to confirm details.
• Run a post race meeting to provide feedback to officials and to gather suggestions for the LOC.

As a follow-up to regatta, submit Chief sheet to MRA office.

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 CHECKLIST FOR REGATTA HOSTING   Printable Version

 The Manitoba Regatta Safety Policy  Printable Version
  Drafted May 14, 2001

1. A minimum of two fully licensed officials shall be present to officiate at every regatta.
2. One official's launch shall accompany every race that has three or fewer entries, with four or more entries; there shall be two officials in separate boats.
3. In addition to official's boats, one reserve launch and operator shall be on the water to provide assistance in the event of problems.
4. All launches on the water shall be equipped with personal flotation devices for all persons in the boat plus a minimum of two extra.
5. Where docking facilities are out of sight of official's launches, radio communication shall be present between each official's launch and a fixed shore installation.
6. Telephone communication shall be available at the site to use in event of emergency. Where competitors are out of sight of a land communication center, official's boats should be equipped with walkie / talkie radios.
7. The following items should be available: drinking water, ice, blankets, adequate sanitation, posted illustrations of course (showing traffic pattern and potential hazards / problem areas) and a first aid installation.
8. Marshall floats should be present at warm-up areas and /or spots where race courses might be crossed by other water traffic.
9. Bow balls in sound condition shall be present on all shells.

RCA - licensed officials should ensure that these rules are followed at every regatta. If they are not the official shall have the right to cancel or stop the regatta until the rules have been met.

To ensure that these rules are met we expect contact from the regatta chair no less than one month in advance of your scheduled event. This contact can be made through the officials chair Ann Piercy at 885-6689 or through the MRA office at 925-5653. The officials' chair will take responsibility to appoint a chief referee for the event within the next week. Then the chief referee and the regatta chair will work together to ensure that the safety of the athletes is met. Any rental expenses for equipment will be the responsibility of the local organizing committee.
 

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 REGATTA MEETING  Printable Version

• Should be held 2 hours in advance of first race.
• Chaired by Regatta Chairperson and Chief Official.
• Just prior to meeting the LOC should receive a current weather report from the local weather office.
• A roll call of clubs / representatives should be taken prior to the meeting. Race schedule should be available.

1. Announce the forecast and warn crews of any concerns.
2. Review the requirements for safety equipment (bow balls and quick release shoes, regatta site peculiarities).
3. Confirm that communication equipment is working and the procedure for the call to the water.
4. Review entries and note any scratches.
5. Review Rules as they apply to this regatta, including;
   (a) Start procedure and alignment instructions,
   (b) False start rule
   (c) The breakage rule
6. Outline in detail the protest procedure, time line and penalties.
7. Outline in detail the commands by referees while the race is in progress.
8. Using map provided by LOC, review in detail the traffic patterns and rules for both on the water and in the dock area.
9. Confirm critical times such as; departure from the dock and arrival at start. No boats should be launched prior to call to the water.
10. Explain any course hazards, which cannot be removed.
11. Review the procedure for the presentation of awards.
12. Review emergency procedures; location of first aid.
13. Introduce the officials, if they are available.
14. Confirm the start time of regatta.

 REGATTA INFORMATION  Printable Version

To run a good safe regatta, the hard work must be done at the planning stage.

Local Organizing Committee (LOC)

? Appoint knowledgeable regatta chairperson at earliest possible time.
? Chairperson should form committee to delegate areas of responsibility. These include:
    1. Officials
    2. Site preparation
    3. Equipment
    4. Food services
    5. Medical services
    6. Traffic control/parking
    7. Publicity
    8. Volunteers
? Chairperson is the coordinator. A checklist of responsibilities/requirements should be developed for each committee member and the Chairperson should contact them regularly. Use the Checklist for Regatta Hosting as a guide.
? Chairperson should contact Manitoba Rowing Association for provincial sanction.
? Chairperson should contact provincial official's chair for assistance in arranging for registered officials.
? Chairperson should contact the Harbour Master and notify of the date of the regatta, the times it will run, course layout, and estimated attendance of competitors and spectators.
? Chairperson should request attendance by a first-aid organization, such as the St. John's Ambulance at the earliest possible time.
? Chairperson should book radio operators (ARIES) at the earliest possible time.
? Book the equipment required, including boats, communications, docking and other facilities.
? Chairperson should ensure that club insurance is adequate to cover event.
? Order the prizes.
? Consideration should be given to paying honorariums to organizations who assist with safety or communication such as St. John's Ambulance and ARIES.
? Regatta committee should provide any additional officials to run the regatta
   " Consider viewing the video of the RCA Rules of Racing to understand regatta organization.

AT LEAST TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE REGATTA, SEND ANNOUNCEMENT AND INFORMATION TO CLUBS, WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE:

1. Complete Regatta details and timetable, including proposed racing schedule
2. A local road map, indicating the regatta site