RegattaCentral

REGISTRATION: Opens at 7:30 a.m. Each boat will receive a packet containing a bow number, two paper numbers (one for cox/stroke and one for bow person), a course map and the final race day schedule. No boat will receive a packet unless entries are paid. No entries will be accepted on race day for any events.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT: Every boat must have a bow clip, bow ball and heel restraints for any shoes. A hard plastic bow number is also required to accommodate a paper boat number that will fit over your plastic one. Each boat will be inspected for safety each time it is launched.

COACHES/COXSWAINS MEETING: This mandatory meeting will be held at 7:45 am. Sharp.

WEIGH-INS: Lightweights may weigh in at anytime from 7:30 a.m. up to 1 hour before race time.

Crews must weigh-in together. Lightweights: Women ~ 135 lb., no averaging. Master and Collegiate Men ~ 165lbs.

Junior Men - 155 lbs (new for HOTL 2013) Coxswains will not be weighed. Crews that do not weigh-in will be scratched. If you do not make weight, you may row in the OPEN division of your boat class.

Novice 1X, 4+ & 8+: These events are to accommodate novice rowers. Juniors are considered novice if they did not race previous to or compete in SWJRA 2013. Junior Novice 8+ boats may have a varsity level coxswain to ensure the safety of the boat. If coaches feel the race course maybe too challenging for a fresh novice coxswain, they may use a 2nd or 3rd level varsity coxswain. The regatta directors want to keep the regatta safe and make sure they are no boat repair bills at the end of the day. Masters are considered novice for first 2 calendar years of rowing. The calendar starts on your first practice day.

RACE COURSE: The course starts at the southern end of the Lagoon and traces a path shaped like the numeral ‘2’, passing under three bridges, along the boardwalk at Central Lake and finishing before Port O’ Call Shopping Center, a distance of 5 kilometers. The course is clearly marked with large orange BEMA buoys. Racing begins with rolling starts with a 10 seconds interval between boats.

RULES OF RACING: An overtaking boat has the right of way and slower crews must yield and move to the outside of any curve. Crews will be assessed a 30 second penalty gor failing to yield to an overtakiing crew. Crews will be excluded for rowing in an unsportsmanlike manner, and penalized 10 seconds for passing a buoy on the wrong side with their oars and will be disqualified if their hull crosses the buoys. Crews will also be disqualified for rowing through the incorrect arch of any of the 3 bridges. This means rowing through the arch of oncoming traffic. In the race direction, all 3 bridges have 2 arches to choose from: a safe arch and an arch that takes skill. Both arches are available for racing. The 3rd arch of oncoming traffic is not available for racing. This is a safety concern as doing so can cause a head-on collision. At the Finish: Crews must continue rowing at least 100m beyond the finish line. There is also no standing allowed on any of the bridges. The bike/pedestrian lane on the bridges is in the center, so standing to get a view would put you in the traffic lane which would then get you a ticket from FCPD. Standing is allowed off to the sides of the bridges, under the arches.

AGE HANDICAP:  Time USRA handicapping for age will be used.

AWARDS: Custom medals will be awarded to first place. If there are more than 6 boats, then second and third place will also be awarded. Events must have at least two boats to run. We will not run an event with only one entry at the time of the draw.

PERPETUAL TROPHIES: Crews may take home our perpetual trophies as long as they sign a guarantee that they will return them in good condition, and pay for replacements if they damage or lose the trophies. Some trophies may not be handed out until after Sunday's completion.

FOOD & BEVERAGES: The Foster City Lions Club will be doing a full scale BBQ at the event. Please support this local group. No personal BBQ’s, coal or propane, will be allowed on the regatta site. The only allowed BBQ will be the official regatta BBQ due to the fire that occurred at HOTL 2006. Fine Designs will be on site with regatta t-shirts. JL will be on site with rowing apparel.

QUIET ON THE LAGOON: Please remain quiet on the Lagoon before 9:00 a.m. Use common sense thereafter as this is a quiet residential neighborhood and we would like to be invited back!

COURTESY AND COMMON SENSE: The Community Recreation Center is a public facility paid for by the tax dollars of the residents of Foster City. We must allow them access to the Community Recreation Center parking lot. There are a few bronze statues in the launch area, please do not touch, set up camp near or hang bags on these statues. This is a direct MANDATE from the regatta officials. Thank you for your attention to this matter. There is also no public urination allowed anywhere, Foster City, or any other peninsula city. If there is a line for the toilet, please keep your uni-suit on.