RegattaCentral

Head of the Occoquan

  • Hosted By: Occoquan Boat Club

2023 Head of the Occoquan Regatta Guidelines and Logistics

 

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Because of Northern Virginia park limits on number of entrants and trailers.  All lineups and boat transportation needs must be reported at time of registration.

Registration

Registration Site:  Regatta Central https://www.regattacentral.com/regatta/?job_id=8615

Entry Deadline: 10/25/23 @ 10 pm - Please note that registration may close early if Park Authority maximumsare reached. No late entries will be accepted.

Trailer Registration: Each team bringing a trailer to the Regatta must complete an online trailer application (https://forms.gle/ULSsKwtUc7erdE5b9). Once the maximum trailer limit is reached (in order of received applications), no more trailers will be admitted to the park. Questions – please email [email protected].  See the Trailer Parking Schedule in the Parking section for trailer drop off times.

Team Tents: Each team must complete an online tent application (https://forms.gle/MMYVdeixPqE6kMHv9).  There are two designated locations for team tents. See the venue map for acceptable team tent areas. The Regatta Director will assign team tent areas. No tents will be permitted in the area around the boathouses. This will be strictly enforced.

Waivers: Every competitor (or guardian of minor competitor) must have executed the OBC HOTO Release of Liability (the “Waiver”) to row in the Head of the Occoquan. The Waiver is accessed through Regatta Central (https://waivers.regattacentral.com/HOTO2023).

Lineups:  The names of all participants in every event must be listed on the registration at the time of registration. No exceptions. Please be prepared to enter your lineups.

Fees:

1X $43
2X $66
4+/X $105
8+ $167

Scratches:  Report scratches to the Registrar at least 2 hours before the event.  Do not wait until the start of the event to report scratches.

Refunds: There will be no refunds from the Occoquan Boat Club.

 

Event Categories

Collegiate: Open to students of a 4-year university or college.

Open or Champion: Open to all.

Club: Open to all crews, except that colleges interested in participating in Sunday club events must first compete in the corresponding collegiate event on Saturday.

Lightweights: Open to male rowers not over 165 pounds and female rowers not over 135 pounds. On boats with multiple rowers, each rower must meet the weight requirement since there will be no averaging of weights. Weigh-in is held at the Upper Boathouse on the day of the event. It begins when registration opens and must be completed by the close of registration. Check the regatta schedule for the exact times.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REGISTRATION PACKET FOR LIGHTWEIGHT ENTRIES WILL NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL THE WEIGH-IN IS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED.

Open Gender:  Open to rowers of any gender.

Masters: Each competitor must be at least 22 years of age AND the average age of each boat MUST be over 30.Age is determined by the age as of December 31. Coxswains are excluded from age restrictions and calculations.Events are based on five-year increments (50 to 54, 55 to 59, 60 to 64, 65 to 69, etc.) for singles and ten-year increments for all others (50 to 59, 60 to 69, etc.) and may be adjusted according to the number of entries. If an event is undersubscribed, it will be held with the closest age group BUT will receive separate medals for that age group.

Junior or Youth Events: Each competitor must be less than 19 years of age at the end of the year in which the regatta is being held. No college students may participate.

Upper and Lower Boats: Lower boat events for juniors and collegiate rowers may be held depending upon the number of entries. No upper boat rower may participate in the lower boat event. To enter a lower boat event, theteam must row at least two entries in the upper event. A club or school’s fastest boats must be entered in the upper boat event.

Mixed Boats: Half of the rowers must be women.

 

Equipment

Competitor Number: Every boat must display the bow marker assigned to it at on-site registration. The marker must be fixed to the bow so that the entire marker is clearly visible on both sides. The bow-most occupant ofevery boat, and all stern-seated coxswains, must also display the exact matching back marker, pre-affixed to the outer layer of apparel in which they intend to race.  Without proper competitor numbers the race organizers cannotguarantee an accurate time.

Bow Balls: All boats with a sharply pointed bow must also be equipped with a fixed protective bow ball. Essentially this means all “racing shells.”

Shoes: If a boat is fitted with shoes, it must have, in working order, a device on each shoe that facilitates the quick release of the athlete’s foot in an emergency.

 

Parking

Trailer Parking:  Each team bringing a trailer to the Regatta must complete an online trailer application (https://forms.gle/ULSsKwtUc7erdE5b9). Once the maximum trailer limit is reached (in order of received applications), no more trailers will be admitted to the park. Questions – please email [email protected]

 Trailer Parking Schedule:

Friday 11/3/23 until 7pm   Park closes / gates are locked at 7pm
Saturday 11/4/23 before 7am between 5:30pm and 7pm Park closes / gates are locked at 7pm
Sunday 11/5/23 before 7am     

  DO NOT ARRIVE ANY OTHER TIME – YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY
  Utility Trailers/’Chuck Wagons”: must unload and load only; no on-site daylong parking permitted.

Handicap Access: Sandy Run Regional Park offers handicapped patrons parking access at the top of the boathouses at Sandy Run. Any special needs should be communicated to the organizers at [email protected]

Rowers and Coaches Parking:  onsite ($30 cash)
Onsite parking is for rowers and coaches only. Those competing must have priority getting into the park. All cars will be charged $30 (cash only) for parking onsite. No charge for cartoppers, team buses, and team vans carrying 10 or more people.

  • Once the onsite parking fills up, you will be directed to park at South County High School to park (free) and take a shuttle to the park ($10 per person, 12 years old and under free). Allow at least 40 minutes travel time.

South County High School 8501 Silverbrook Rd.  Lorton, Virginia 22079

  • The rower drop-off/pick-up location is between C and D parking lots - follow the parking staff’s directions. Parents/spectators must drop off their rowers and go to South County High School to park - then take the shuttle back in to watch the racing. There must be good coordination for rower drop-off and pick-up - there is no place for parents to wait for their athletes. Pick up timing must be arranged in advance.

Spectator Parking:  Offsite parking and shuttlebus ($10 cash for roundtrip)
Spectators must park at South County High School at 8501 Silverbrook Rd., Lorton, VA 22079 and take the shuttle. Allow for 40 minutes of travel time from parking at SoCo to arriving at Sandy Run Park. The cost of the Shuttle is $10 each (cash only, 12 years and younger are free) at South County for the round trip.

     South County High School
     8501 Silverbrook Rd.
     Lorton, Virginia 22079
 
EVERYONE DRIVING INTO THE PARK OR PARKING AT SOCO HIGH SCHOOL MUST FOLLOW THE PARKING ATTENDANTS’ INSTRUCTIONS AND PAY THE PARKING/SHUTTLE FEE.
 
  At the Regatta

Registration Material On-Site: All registration materials, maps and schedules are available at the top of the hill in Boathouse #3. Please see the schedule for registration hours.

Boat Rigging: Sandy Run Regional Park has limited boat-rigging areas and as such strictly notes areas that areacceptable to rig shells. Please assist the park staff in ensuring your shell is not in the way of vehicles, pedestrian traffic, etc.

Launch Schedule: The Regatta Director will maintain a very strict launch schedule to ensure the regatta is run on schedule. Crews arriving at the dock after final call for their event may be turned away from the dock. Whenlaunching, competitors must bring all oars with their boats as regatta volunteers will assign them directly to the least congested dock. The dock masters will provide recommendations for launch but it is the responsibility of each crew to launch in time to arrive at the start on time. The starting area is approximately a 45-minute row – plan accordingly.

Viewing Areas: Spectators are encouraged to view the races from the open area below the boathouses.Spectators in and around the boathouse area must avoid the boat traffic area and avoid areas designated for coaches and athletes only. These areas will be clearly marked.

Prohibited: No dogs, open flames, or alcohol will be permitted in the park. All attendees must abide by NVRPA rules. See: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/sandy-run-regional-park

 

Equipment

Competitor Number: Every boat must display the bow marker assigned to it at on-site registration. The marker must be fixed to the bow so that the entire marker is clearly visible on both sides. The bow-most occupant ofevery boat, and all stern-seated coxswains, must also display the exact matching back marker, pre-affixed to the outer layer of apparel in which they intend to race.  Without proper competitor numbers the race organizers cannotguarantee an accurate time.

Bow Balls: All boats with a sharply pointed bow must also be equipped with a fixed protective bow ball. Essentially this means all “racing shells.”

Shoes: If a boat is fitted with shoes, it must have, in working order, a device on each shoe that facilitates the quick release of the athlete’s foot in an emergency.

 

On the Water

 

LINKS TO REGATTA GUIDELINES, ENTRY RULES, LOGISTICS AND COURSE MAP:

https://www.rowobc.org/regattas-camps/hoto

 

Event Schedule: Unless otherwise officially informed by the Chief Referee or Regatta Control, all competitors should assume that the regatta is running on time and in accordance with the pre published schedule of events.

Hot Docking: It will be the responsibility of the crew launching late or borrowing a boat to inform the dock masterin the event hot docking is to be attempted. It is up to the discretion of the dock master whether to allow hotdocking, which will not be allowed to the detriment of the other crews launching or returning from their race.

 

Penalties

Starting Penalty: Entries that (1) miss the final call for their event, (2) arrive less than five minutes beforeevent start, or (3) start out of order may be assessed a 30-second penalty. Late arriving crews will be allowed to race only if deemed appropriate by the start team.

Racecourse Penalties: Competitors may be assessed up to a 30 second penalty for each buoy missed or struck, depending on severity of violation and at the discretion of the referee.

Unsportsmanlike Behavior: Crews, coaches, or spectators exhibiting unacceptable behavior may be excluded at any time from the event at the discretion of the race director.

Passing: When a passing crew (the Passer) closes to within one boat length of open water on the boat being overtaken, it is the responsibility of the slower crew to yield the line chosen by the Passer in a timely manner. The yield should be completed by the time the Passer has closed to within one boat length. A crew failing to yield will incur the following interference penalties:

      1st infraction:       60-second penalty 2nd infraction:     removal from the regatta results

Safety When Passing: A passing crew has the right to pass on the side of its choice when a safe pass can beaccomplished. The Passer must allow sufficient room for both its boat and the boat being overtaken to stay safely within the racecourse. If a pass is attempted, the Passer shall not press the right to overtake to the point of severe collision. If the Passer causes a severe collision, that crew may also be assessed a 60 second penalty.

 

Protests

Making a Protest: A protest involving the conduct of a race, unless circumstances beyond the competitors’ controlprevent it, must be lodged at the end of the race at regatta headquarters within 30 minutes of submission of the results.

Lodging a Protest with the Chief Referee: If the on-the-water ruling is to be appealed, the appeal must be lodged with the Chief Referee in the form of a written statement within 30 minutes of reaching land.

Decision of the Chief Referee: The decision of the chief referee shall be final.

 

Awards

Awards are based on the number of boats that start the race, not the number of entries.

Medals:

1-3 racers 1st place only
1-6 racers 1st and 2nd
1-10 racers 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
1-14 racers 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th
15+ racers 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th

Note that age-based medals may be awarded for those age groups that have been combined with other agegroups in the event (see Masters rules). For example, in the Masters 50+ 4x, there will be a 1st place medal awarded for the fastest 50–59-year-old boat, a 1st place medal awarded for the fastest 60–69-year-old boat, etc. If that event has enough racers within an age group to have multiple medals as mentioned above. Rowers’ ages must be entered accurately when entries are submitted to be eligible to medal in the breakdown categories.

Results: https://linktr.ee/RowOBC?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=a0a06e99-5d34-4657-8743-3093fc377623

 

Regatta Cancellation

The HOTO organizers will make every effort to hold all races as closely as possible to the published schedule andstill allow for safety and fairness for all involved. However, we regret that, in the event the regatta must be canceledthere will be no refunds and no credits toward future HOTO Regattas.

 

Communications and Links

OBC Website: www.rowobc.org

HOTO’23 Website:  https://www.rowobc.org/regattas-camps/hoto

Instagram: - https://instagram.com/rowobc?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==

Results:  https://linktr.ee/RowOBC?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=a0a06e99-5d34-4657-8743-3093fc377623

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057371983401&mibextid=LQQJ4d

X(Twitter):  @RowOBC

HOTO Information:  https://tr.ee/Ojt1AOUC1n

LINKS TO REGATTA GUIDELINES, ENTRY RULES, LOGISTICS AND COURSE MAP:

https://www.rowobc.org/regattas-camps/hoto