The finish line is 100 meters south of the Blackburn Point Bridge.

Sarasota 5000  Head Race  Course

The race course is located south of Blackburn Point Park and takes advantage of the varied natural environment of the navigable water including the dredged Intracoastal Waterway  (ICW).   The Marshalling Area and Start Line are located approximately 5000 m south in the mangrove channel north of the Albee Bridge, the course follows the relatively open water of Blackburn Bay, close navigation through the mangroves coming north through the manatee zone before opening out into Dryman Bay and an exciting finish just before the bridge at marker 32 in full view of the spectators on Fisherman’s Island.

The total length of the course is approximately 4750 meters. 

Masters handicaps will be calculated. 

This course follows some of the mandates of a traditional head race by providing some close turns and navigation one would find in racing in a river environment while providing a manageable course for novice coxswains for their first race in the head race season.

LAUNCH  &  RECOVERY:

Local crews:   will launch from their current boatyards and pass under the Blackburn Point swing bridge, then follow Water Traffic Instructions below.

Visiting crews:   will launch from the temporary floating docks installed on Fisherman’s Island, just east of the swing bridge.

NOTE: some visiting crews may be directed to launch from the Scullers / SCRC boatyard.

Recovery:  will take place in the same area as your Launch area.

WATER  TRAFFIC:  SOUTHBOUND  LAUNCH / WARM UP / TO  START

Crews  launching  from  Scullers  /  SCRC  Boatyard:    (West of bridge with water launch)

1.    Launch from  SSYRP / SCRC  Lagoon.

2.    Exit  Lagoon  &  make immediate u-turn into ICW Southbound.

3.    Head  South  through  Blackburn Point Swing Bridge

4.    Follow instructions  3 thru 10  for boats launching from Fisherman’s Island.

Crews  launching  from  Fisherman’s  Island:    (East of bridge w/temporary docks):

1.    When traffic is clear, head due West  towards the  ICW.

2.    Fully cross the ICW.

3.    Turn due South immediately before the ICW  “No Wake” marker on west side of channel.

4.    Stay near western edge of  ICW  heading south.

5.    Keep fairly close to the  GREEN  ICW  markers; but keep markers on your starboard side.

6.    The only tight location is the area between  RED 28  and  GREEN 23, where you pass through a narrowing due to mangrove islands. 

        Northbound racing crews will pass close aboard to port between markers  Green 29  to  Green 23.

        Follow instructions of  water safety launches & personnel  near  Markers 29  &  23.

7.    After Green 23, proceed South past the starting line (Red 16) to the Marshalling Area.

8.    Marshalling Area starts at the small wharf/dock on the west side, down to Red 14.

9.    Turn  Northbound  no later than  RED 14.

10.  Stay on eastern edge of ICW between  RED 14  &  RED 16  until called by the marshal.

WATER  TRAFFIC:    NORTHBOUND  -  RACE  COURSE

1.   When racing northward,  keep all  ANCHORED  course vessels to your  STARBOARD.

2.   Crews will proceed in numerical order and as directed by the marshal into the chute.

3.   Chute starts to the west of a series of white plastic stakes south of  RED 16.

               Stakes & Chute will be marked with buoys on race day.

4.   The Start Line vessel will be anchored  EAST  of  RED 16.

5.   Crews will pass between  RED 16  and the Start Line anchored vessel at full pressure.

               Expect approximately  15 seconds  separation between each crew at  Start Line.

6.   From  Start Line,  while in  Blackburn Bay,  the  race course  will be  EAST  of the  ICW.

               The  western  edge of the  course  from the  Start  until  Marker 22  is the  RED  even

                        numbered  ICW  channel markers.   ICW  markers  are on your  PORT  side.

7.   Vessels will be  anchored  approx  every  750m  to  form  the east edge of the race course.

               Keep any  anchored  vessels  in this area to your  Starboard.

                        Additional buoys may be placed in line with these vessels.

                        Do  not  go east of anchored vessels or you will find shoal water.

8.   The area between  RED 20  &  RED 22  is specified as  Referee Control  (Yield)  Zone # 1.

               In the interest of safety, a Referee will patrol this area in a roaming launch.

               Note:  Referees, at their discretion,  may  instruct racers in this area to Yield to a boat

                        attempting to make a pass.

               Failure to comply with the Referee's instructions (i.e. Failure to Yield)  WILL

                        result in a penalty of up to  45  seconds added to your time.

               The racer being passed must yield to allow for execution of a safe pass by the other

                        boat to be completed before the racers reach  RED  Marker  22.

9.   At  RED  22:  (at the  north  end  of  Blackburn Bay),   there will be another anchored vessel.

               This vessel will display an  American flag  & a  “Start No Passing Zone”  banner.

                        Racing crews join the  ICW  traffic pattern from  RED  22  thru  RED  28.

10. The area of the course between   RED  22   thru    GREEN  25   is a   No Passing Zone.

                        Northbound racers must travel single file through this area.

11. GREEN  25   &  the anchored vessel   paired with it mark the end of the  No Passing Zone.

               This vessel will have a Referee aboard and mark   Referee  Control  (Yield)  Zone  # 2.

               Note:  Referees, at their discretion,  may  instruct racers in this area to Yield to a

                        following boat to start a pass at  GREEN  25.

               Failure to comply with the Referee's instructions (i.e. Failure to Yield)  WILL

                        result in a penalty of up to  45  seconds added to your time.

               The racer being passed must yield to allow for execution of a safe pass by the other

                        boat to be completed before the racers reach  RED  Marker  28.

12. It is recommended that all boats travel past  RED  28  in single file if possible.

               Racing crews can now take a straight shot for the  Finish Line  from  RED  28.

               The shortest line of the race course  is now again  EAST  of the  ICW.

               Keep  large  ICW  Channel markers numbered  RED 30  and higher  on your  Port  side.

13. East of  RED 30,  a small side channel joins the ICW; this is denoted by small markers.

               An anchored course vessel will be stationed at the site of these  small channel markers

                        to help funnel crews safely through and towards the Finish Line.

14. Finish Line:  formed by  line of sight  from  RED  32   &  No Wake sign w/Osprey Nest

                        eastward to anchored launch.

15. Recovery - Visiting crews:  turn east;  recover on the floating docks  on  Fisherman’s Island.

16. Recovery - Local crews:  turn west; go through bridge to return to  SSYRP / SCRC  lagoon.

QUESTIONS  ABOUT  THE  COURSE? :   PLEASE  CONSULT  LARGE  MAP  AT  RACE  VENUE OR  SPEAK  WITH  REGATTA  PERSONNEL.