Event Definitions
Open
Open events are limited to masters and collegiate scullers, rowers and coxswains that satisfy their respective criteria below.
Master
Masters events are limited to scullers, rowers, and coxswains who have each attained at least 21 years of age before the Regatta Day, October 25, 2008. There will be no age handicapping for Master events.
Collegiate Varsity
Collegiate Varsity events are limited to college scullers, rowers, and coxswains in either University Club or Varsity programs who have been competing for more than one year; as of the Regatta Day, October 25, 2008. Experience in sculling events does not count as experience in sweep events and vice versa. Previous junior/high school rowing experience is allowed in this category.
Collegiate Novice
Collegiate Novice events are limited to college scullers, rowers, and coxswains in either University Club or Varsity programs who have been competing for one year or less; as of the Regatta Day, October 25, 2008. Experience in sculling events does not count as experience in sweep events and vice versa. Previous junior/high school rowing experience is allowed in this category.
Gender
Men's events are for male scullers and rowers only. Women's events are for female scullers and rowers only. Coxswains may be of either gender.
Mixed Events
Mixed crews shall have an equal number of men and of women. Coxswains may be of either gender.
Weight-ins
Coxswains
There will be no weigh-in for coxswains.
Lightweight
There will be no weight-ins for lightweights of either gender. All Coaches are expected to honor these lightweight requirements.
For the Hatter Classic, lightweights are considered:
· Male rower(s) weighing no more than 165.0 lbs
· Female rower(s) weighing no more than 135.0 lbs
Rules of Racing
On Time Start
On time starting will be strictly enforced. All crews must be at the starting area 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time of their race. Late starts will be penalized.
Traffic Pattern
The start line is located approximately 5000m from the boat launching area. In the lake, buoys (on the port side) will separate the racing boats from the warm-up traffic. There will be no bouys in the river, boats are required to keep to the starboard (West) side of the river while proceeding to the start. No boats, racing or warm-up, should cross the centerline of the river. See Course Map.
Bow Numbers
Bow numbers will be provided. Boats racing must carry a bow number, denoting their assigned starting position. Bow numbers must be returned to the dock volunteers as boats come off the water.
Footgear Release and Bow Balls
Footgear release and bow ball requirements shall be in accordance with US Rowing Rules of Rowing Sections 3-109 and 3-105.
Where the feet of the competitor are held by footgear affixed to the structure of the boat, the design of such footgear shall provide for the quick release of the competitor's feet in case of emergency, without the use of hands. Any pull strings shall not allow the heel to raise more than 3 inches (7.5 cm) above the foot board to which it is anchored.
Every boat shall have a supple or plastic ball, of a white or florescent color, mounted on its bow. The bow ball shall be at least 4 centimeters in diameter.
All coaches are responsible to check for such appropriate footgear and bow balls. If such equipment is not present, that shell will not be launched until remedied.
Launching
Boats in queue are subject to be check for appropriate footgear and bow balls. Please listen to the directions of the Dock Master. All oars must be placed on the grass area near the dock from which boats are launching before boats are permitted down the ramps accessing the launch area.
Launch Schedule
A launch schedule will be distributed during the Coaches' and Coxswains' Meeting. It is expected that all crews be aware of their launch times. There will be NO call to launch prior to the events.
Yielding the Right of Way
One crew is deemed to be overtaking another crew when it has moved to within one length of open water of the crew ahead. Where the course turns, a crew being overtaken shall move to the outside of the turn and allow the overtaking crew to pass along the shorter path. On the portions of the course that are straight, a crew being overtaken shall move to the starboard and allow the overtaking crew to pass on their port side.
The Finish
After crossing the finish line, crews should continue to row and slowly proceed to the return dock, avoiding interference with other crews racing and launching.
Protests
Intent to file a protest must be indicated to an official on the water immediately following the finish of a race. It must be done before the crew leaves the finish area and before arriving at the return docks. After a crew returns to the return docks, all rights to protest are waived.
The regatta will consider a protest from a coach or coaching representative (only one coach/coaching representative per protest is allowed) per US Rowing rules. A fee of $25.00 is owed for each protest. The protest must be filed with the offical located near the Finish.
Penalties
A :30 second penalty may be assessed to crews that, in the opinion of the Dock Master, are delaying the launching of crews. Time on the launch docks is limited to two minutes for singles, pairs, doubles, fours and quads. Time on the launch docks is limited to three minutes for eights.
A :10 second penalty may be assessed to crews entering the start chute out of order.
A :10 second penalty may be assessed to any crew failing to yield to a crew being summoned to the starting area, or that otherwise interferes with the staging of the start.
A :10 second penalty shall be assessed for each buoy that a crew passes incorrectly. A crew passes a buoy incorrectly when its hull passes on the wrong side of the buoy. Oars may be on either side of the buoy without incurring a penalty.
A :30 second penalty shall be assessed to any crew that fails to yield to a crew having the right of way.
A :60 second penalty shall be assessed to any crew crossing the starting line without its required bow number.
Hot Seating
"Hot Seating", or changing members in a boat is only permitted on the return dock. Boats wanting to hot seat must have their coach pick up a "Hot Seat" card at the Coaches' and Coxswains' Meeting. The coxswain should display the card over his/her head for the Dock Master to see as they approach the return dock. Under safe conditions, the hot seating boat will be given priority docking.
Boat Seeding
Organizations finishing in the first five places in the previous year's Hatter Classic will be seeded in this year's start order accordingly. Start order for novice races will be seeded by random draw only; previous year's results will not be used.