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Heat sheet PDF is here.

Regatta Contingency Plan                                                                                                                             April 2019

Weather

The weather on Dexter Lake can change suddenly. We have experienced conditions of sun and calm water changing to high wind, rain, sleet, thunder, white caps – all on the same day! 

We recognize that teams have travelled great distances to participate in the regatta, and we will do our best to hold every scheduled event. However, the safety of participants, volunteers, and officials is our highest priority.

The officials in launches and launch drivers carry radios and will relay information on changing conditions to onshore officials. Decisions to delay or cancel races will be made accordingly by officials and/or the Regatta Director.

In the unlikely event that we experience lightning and thunder, boats shall be directed to immediately land onshore. Boats distant to the regatta launching area may be directed to use an emergency landing area. Details and appropriate landing locations will be covered at the coxswain meetings.

If wind comes up, there are usually protected areas near shoreline. Officials shall direct boats to the safest side of the lake in preparation for their return to the launching area, or other safe landing area.

Should rowing conditions be determined to be unsafe, small boat races (singles, pairs, doubles) will be canceled or shortened first. The next order of cancellation shall be inexperienced (Novice) four and eight boat entries. Races will be rescheduled if time permits. In cases where the buoyed 1000 and 2000 meter race courses remains unrowable, we may attempt to hold shorter races in calmer areas of the lake (along the dam or along the north shore). 

Shell Capsize/Rower in Water/Injured Rower

Water temperatures in Dexter Lake are often below 50 degrees during spring regattas.  It is crucial to get rowers out of the water as quickly as possible.

Officials closest to the boat in trouble shall immediately respond to an incident.

Per the local Fire Chief, the shore ops EMTs will have a race radio as well as FD radios. If an incident should occur, the shore ops EMT should be contacted by race radio. The shore ops EMTs will then contact the rescue boat (water ops) and give direction. These responders will provide first aid and get rowers to shore, after which officials will attend to the boat itself.

The first aid station will monitor a race radio and may call 911 by phone for additional response. The First Aid volunteer will notify the Regatta Director of any incident. Rescued rowers or a representative shall check in with the First Aid tent to request further assistance and to complete an incident report.

The Regatta Director in consultation with officials shall determine next steps, including whether to cancel or restart events.

EMTs

EMTs will be on site during the event. Call 911 in the event onsite EMTs are not available.

First Aid Station

Minor injuries or illnesses can be addressed at the First Aid station, located at the trailer in the parking lot.

Time Limits

Our hope is to hold all races as close to the schedule as possible. Schedule changes will be posted on-site and updated on Regatta Central.