RegattaCentral

RULES:  other info follows

Seeding based on last years results, new entries by random draw.

NO HOT SEATING OF ANY SHELLS WILL BE ALLOWED

All rowers need to sign the FCC waiver  http://www.fairportcrew.org/forms/2010_Athlete_Waiver.pdf

Course:
The Lift Bridge Regatta is rowed over a 5400 meter course beginning at the guard gate east of the Interstate 490 bridge and finishing in the Village of Fairport, just west of the historic Lift Bridge.There will be a no passing zones under all of the bridges.  Novice events will start at the power lines part way through the normal course.  The finish line will be the same for all events.

Launch Site:
Boats are to launch from the docks at the FCC Boathouse. Priority will be given to boats launching for an event. All boats should launch no later than 45 minutes prior to the start of their event. A Dockmaster will be present to expedite boat traffic. ALWAYS launch and dock with the bow pointed away from the village(upstream). There is a 60 second limit for time on the dock,  the dockmaster can and will impose penalties for excessive time on the dock.Proceed upstream to the Start , keeping the orange buoys that mark the racecourse to your port side, and enter the right guard gate, marked with a yellow arrow.After passing through the gate, boats should proceed to the end of the flight and turn towards the start, staying inthe proper bow number order.Proceed to the start when told to do so by the race officals.

Buoys:
Buoys will mark the course. Keep the buoys to port at all times, both going up the canal to the Start and on the course. Certain buoys will mark hazards. Do not try to put your oars over a hazard buoy as it might have drifted and you could hit the hazard it is marking. Do not attempt to go between a course buoy and the shore, even on your way up to the starting line!!!! 

The wide area in the middle section of the course, commonly know as the oxbow area, will have several large yellow buoys marking the course.  Another distinguishing landmark is the over head power lines. Be aware as you enter this area.  

Buoys mark the inside corner of the turn DO NOT cut this buoy, These buoys must be on your port side.  10 second penalty for cutting the turn short.

Start:
Each entrant is responsible for arriving at the marshaling area ten minutes prior to the start of their event. Boats will be started in order by bow number at approximately 10 second intervals (~15-20 second for Novice).Late-arriving boats may lose their starting position or be excluded from the race at the discretion of the Starter. Boats must pass through the starting buoys to be officially recognized.

No Passing Zone:
Participants are asked not to overtake another boat while under any bridge due to the width of the shells and oars and the approach lane. You should yield into a single file line in this zone with the boat in the lead position having priority in the queue.  Therefore it is most important that shells moving up the course to the start be keenly aware of shells racing down the course that are approaching a bridge.  It is the approaching crew's responsibility not to be under the bridge while crews are racing down.  Time your passage under the bridge VERY carefully. If you must, STOP rowing before going under the bridge. Failure to conform will warrant a penalty.  Violation oft  his rule will constitute a major (30second)violation.

Finish:
Participants not passing between the two finishing buoys with bow marker intact are subject to exclusion from the race. Once beyond the finish line, boats MUST continue rowing to the Parker Street bridge before turning. This is so you do not block the other crews as they cross the line.Impeding  boats that are still racing constitutes a major (30 second)violation.

Weights:

Lightweight:  Girls 135#, Boys 165#

No weight-in -- stick to the honor rule.

Registeration:
Competitors must register by Monday, September 20th.  If you do not register during the designated registration times, you will not be allowed to race. Any rare exceptions, are at the discretion of the LocalOrganizing Committee, confirmed by the USRA Chief Referee.

Bowmarkers:
Bowmarkers must be picked up at the Registration desk (one per boat perrace).All  boats launching must have their bow  markers secured. Bow markers will  be collected at the launch site.

Bowclips:
All boats must have a bow clip to which a bow  marker can be secured.

Bowball:
All shells MUST be equipped with a bow  ball.

Heelstraps:
All boats MUST have heel straps securely in place at launch time per USRA rules.

Medals:

Medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.  There must be at least three boats in a race to be considered  for a medal.

Penalties & Protests:

1. Any boat being overtaken must grant the right-of-way to the upcoming boat.An overtaken boat should begin to yield NO LATER THAN the point at  which the overtaking crew is within one boat length of their stern.
2. Boats must proceed upstream within the restraints of course buoys.
3. Boats not observing course rules and/or impeding other crews shall be penalized at the discretion of Regatta officials.

Minor Violations: 10 second penalty (e.g., cutting a buoy)

Major Violations: 30 second penalty (e.g., not granting right of way)

4. Protests must be reported to the Dockmaster immediately upon docking and  then submitted in writing to a USRA official at the Lift Bridge Regatta headquarters containing a concise statement describing the facts  thatunderlie the protest (including a visual description of the incident in question, bow numbers of protesting and protested crews,and names of witnesses, if any) and the relief that the crew seeks. The protest willinclude the individual signature of a protesting crew member (usually the cox on a sweep boat) and will be accompanied by a check for $25made out to the Fairport Crew Club or $25 in cash. The written protest will be submitted to a USRA official at the regatta not more than thirty minutes after finishing that event.

OTHER INFO:

There will be a Food Vendor at the race.  Anyone who wishes may bring money to purchase food from the vendor.


Werequest that ALL spectators park their cars in Perinton Park which islocated on the North Side of Fairport Rd.  When heading East on Fairport Rd, make a left on O'Conner Road immediately before heading up the hill and crossing the Erie Canal.


Restrooms are available in Perinton Park and in the boathouse.   We ask that all spectators use the Perinton Park restrooms and reserve the boathouse restrooms for athletes.

Entry Fees:

Single (1x):  $30

Double (2x):  $35

Four w/ Cox (4+):  $50