Saturday
7 June 2008
Saul Junction
Gloucester - Sharpness Canal
Nailsworth
CONDUCT OF THE REGATTA
General information
1. Teams will have been allocated a start time for their heats. They must be ready to paddle 15 minutes before that time. We recommend arrival at the site 1 hour before heat start time. Early arrivals are likely to avoid any traffic congestion (but no camping allowed). Hot refreshments and toilet facilities will be available on site.
Booking in
2. Teams should book in at Regatta Control in good time to race. They should bring entry forms with them and details of all crew members. If any team members are under 18, then parental consent on the entry form will be required. It will be very helpful if teams can provide some information about the team that can be used by the race commentators. If entry fees have not been paid already, then they will need to be paid at this point. Sponsorship money can also be paid in if already collected.
Briefing & Marshalling
3. On arrival, any self built rafts will be allocated spaces in the Raft Marshalling Area for assembly; rafts should then be made ready for scrutineering at least 30 minutes before the start of their race. Any crew failing to report in good time may miss their heat. It may be possible to reschedule a race later but any results will not be taken forward into the semi-final or final. This rescheduling cannot be guaranteed and will depend upon event timing and weather.
4. Before any crew can participate in a race, the Captain (or any substitute Captain) must attend a briefing by the Chief Boat Marshal; these will be held in the Start Area prior to the heat starting.
Race Procedure
5. Rafts will be raced in heats of 4 rafts; the winning two teams from each heat will go forward into a semi-final. Winners of semi-finals will compete in a final for the Regatta Cup.
6. Races will be started at intervals of about 15 minutes, depending upon numbers and conditions. The course will run about 300 metres southwards from the pedestrian foot-bridge at Saul Junction, turning before Sandfield Bridge and returning to the start.
7. Racing may be suspended for about 10 minutes in each hour to let canal traffic through. Any raft still on the course must pull in to the bank and wait for the course to re-open for racing.
8. The Organisers reserve the right to vary this format to accord with weather conditions, the number of entries, or other factors.
Starting
9. Crews will be allocated their rafts (unless they have brought their own) in the Start Area 15 minutes before their heat start time. Unless advised of any delay by the Marshals racing will not be delayed for latecomers.
10. Rafts should then be positioned as instructed by the Start Marshal; when the rafts are in position, the Starter will call “Attention”; and then “Go” to start the race.
11. Any crew starting before the instruction “Go” will be disqualified.
Race Conduct
12. Competing crews should not consume alcohol before their events. Any crew taking alcohol onto a raft, or using missiles (such a flour or water ‘bombs’) or fireworks will be immediately disqualified from the Regatta. Any assault or damage will be reported to the police.
13. Crews must do their best to follow a straight course (except when turning at the half way point), keeping to the RIGHT hand half of the canal and overtaking on the LEFT.
14. Crews should ensure that at least a metre of clear water is maintained between the structure of their raft (i.e., not including the paddles) and any other raft. Crews must stop paddling or reverse as required to avoid any collision.
15. Any raft deliberately or recklessly impeding another (including swerving to prevent overtaking) will be disqualified. In the event of loss of control, a crew will be required to take all possible measures to avoid impeding any other raft.
16. CREWS WHILST ON THE WATER MUST FOLLOW ANY INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY THE MARSHALS OR THE SARA RESCUE BOATS.
17. If you are borrowing a raft on the day to enable your team to race, then this will come supplied with paddles and life jackets which must be returned at the end of each race.
