RegattaCentral

2019 Stetson Fall Classic
    Lake Beresford, Deland, FL

The Course
The race is rowed on Lake Beresford. Crews will start on the East edge of the lake and row clockwise following the buoyed and marshalled course. Upon completing the turn on the South end of Lake Beresford, racing crews are to proceed north along the buoy line towards the finish line. The Finish line will be marked clearly with large yellow triangular (pyramid) buoys which crews must finish in between for safety and accuracy purposes. As this is a navigable waterway, signs, channel markers and other obstructions are present along the course. Take caution.

Launch and Return Docks
The dock master shall control all launching of shells. The dock master is ultimately responsible for the procession of crews on and off the docks. Crews are to not exceed more than 2 minutes on the dock for either launching or recovering. Crews in violation of this rule will be assessed a penalty.

Eligibility
NOTE: for exact definitions of Youth, Collegiate, Club, Masters, Novice, Mixed, and Lightweight, see Event Definitions.
a. There is no limit on the number of entries a given organization may make.
b. Wherever relevant, the age of a contestant as of December 31, 2019, governs eligibility.

Bow Number Draw
Bow number draws will be made randomly starting with “A” crews, then “B” crews and so forth. Entry fee payment is required to receive bow numbers.

Bow Balls, Bow Marker Clips, and Heel Safety Ties
Control commission officials will monitor all launching boats. All boats must be equipped with bow marker clips and bow balls. Any boats without a securely attached bow ball will be declared unsafe and will not be permitted to race. Each foot stretcher must have an appropriate footgear quick release system with the heels tied no more than 3 inches from the board.

Bow Markers
Registrants will be furnished number plates. Please return all number plates to the return dock or Regatta Headquarters. Crews not returning a number will be assessed a $20 fee.

Penalties
15 second penalty – Incorrectly passing or 'cutting' a buoy
15 second penalty – Exceeding 2 minutes on the launch or recovery docks
20 second penalty – Starting out of order or interfering with the staging of the start
20 second penalty – Unsportsmanlike conduct (this includes the use of foul language)
30 second penalty – Interference, which includes failing to yield the right-of-way

Passing / Right of Way
In accordance with USRA Rules: A crew is deemed to be overtaking another crew when it has moved to within one length of open water of the crew ahead. A crew being overtaken must safely yield the right of way. On straight sections of the course, a crew being overtaken shall yield to the right. In turns, the crew being overtaken shall yield to the outside of the turn and allow the overtaking crew to pass along the shorter path. Nevertheless, passing is not allowed, nor is the crew being overtaken required to yield, in cases where the overtaking crew’s position clearly prevents safe passage or where there is insufficient room to yield. Failure to yield will result in a 30 second penalty.

Protests
All protests must be indicated on the water immediately following the finish of a race to an Official before the crew leaves the finish area. When a crew leaves the finish area, they forfeit the right to file a protest. Each protest must be filed in writing within 30 minutes of the last boat crossing the finish line for the race in question. A fee of $50.00 in cash must accompany each protest. Protests are to be taken to Regatta Headquarters or the Chief Referee.
 

First Call
Crews will not be called to the launch dock. It is suggested that all crews launch at least 40 minutes before their race. Late arrivals to the starting line will either be assessed a penalty or excluded from racing depending on the referee’s discretion.
 

Hot Seating
Crews wishing to “hot-seat” shall notify the Dock Master on the Return Dock prior to launching. All “hot-seating” crews must still follow the commands given by the dock master and follow the 2 minute launch/recovery window on the dock.

Results and Awards
Results for each event will be posted at the results tent after the last boat finishes in each event. Medals will be given to 1st place crews in each event, and 2nd place crews where there are more than 7 entries only.
 

Concessions and Vendor Sales
Food trucks will be parked in the area as designated on the “Venue Map”.

2019 Stetson Fall Classic Event Definitions
Junior: This defines a scholastic or non-scholastic program with students who are classified by age according to Section 4-104 of the USRA Rules of Rowing. This definition applies to all athletes and boatings from these programs including first, second, third, etc. boatings; “JV” boats; “subvarsity” athletes and boats; “novice” athletes and boats; lightweight athletes and boats; freshman athletes and boats; and all coxswains.

Masters: All master’s events are organized by boat class only. Age classifications will be applied to the final results at the conclusion of the race. It is the responsibility of the master’s crews to notify the regatta officials of the average age of the crew during registration before the regatta begins. These events are age-handicapped using the formula established in the USRowing Rules of Rowing prorated for the length of the course.

U17: USRA Rules of Rowing Section 4-104.1 (b4) A Competitor may compete in the U17 category until December 31 of the year of his or her 16th birthday

Coxswains: There is no minimum weight limit for coxswains. Coxswains may be of either gender. Youth coxswains may only be used in youth events or in those events where no collegiate varsity athletes or boats are entered – with prior approval from the Chief Referee and Regatta Director.
 

Mixed: These entries must consist of 50% men and 50% women.

2019 Stetson Fall Classic Weather Contingency Plan

Weather conditions have a significant impact on rowing and often result in potentially hazardous rowing conditions. It is important to be aware of the potential safety hazards resulting from the impact of rain, wind, currents, fog, and extreme temperatures. Crews will not be called to launch if such conditions exist or are seriously threatening.

The regatta officials will discuss the conditions and potential risks to begin racing and/or continuing to row on the course. The discussion includes the assistant regatta directors, and two pre-selected team coaches.  All decisions pertaining to rowing on the course will come from the Chief Referee, and will be communicated and implemented through the Control Commission and the Dock Master. Decisions regarding emergency management and safety on land are the responsibility of the Regatta Safety Officer.

The safety and the well-being of crews are paramount to the referees and Stetson University.

Conditions that may result in delay or cancelation include:

• Fog on the lake and throughout the course

• Heavy rainfall on the course

• Thunder and lightning in the area

• Strong winds and heavy chop on the course

Actions may include:

• Fog 

  • Delay racing for 1 hour

  • Review conditions on the course after 1-hour lapse

  • Delay racing for 2nd hour

  • Review conditions on the course after 2nd hour

  • Continue review and decision process until it is safe to restart rowing

• Heavy Rain 

  • Delay racing for 1 hour

  • Review conditions on the course after 1-hour lapse

  • Delay racing for 2nd hour

  • Review conditions on the course after 2nd hour

  • Continue review and decision process until it is safe to restart racing

• Thunder and Lightning 

  • Clear the course including referees and start personnel immediately

  • Delay racing until 30 minutes after the last lightning strike

  • Procedure for boats on the water when lightning strikes in the area: 

    • Return to launch and recovery docks

• Strong winds and heavy chop on the course 

  • Suspend racing

  • Cancel small boats races

  • Cancel middle school races

  • Cancel novice races

  • Cancel racing

Changes that may be implemented when racing is restarted:

• Reduce length of racecourse depending on river conditions.

• Eliminate novice races

• Eliminate singles, doubles and/or pairs events

• Eliminate fours events

• Cancel all events