MOLESEY VETERAN HEAD

RACE AND SAFETY RULES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revised 18th January 2008

 

 

SUNBURY LOCK to HAMPTON CHURCH

Rowed downstream for about 2 miles

 

Under ARA rules

 

 See river diagram on the back

1  SAFETY

 

You should do everything possible to avoid injury or collision when marshalling or racing.  Be aware that the stream maybe strong at this time of year and the water and weather cold.

 

·         Keep to the RIGHT hand side of the centre of the river

·         Do not marshal too CLOSE to other boats

·         Give way to an overtaking crew by steering to the RIGHT

·         Overtake only to your LEFT of another crew.

·         Do NOT STOP at the Finish - keep paddling on until clear.

·         Do not go BEYOND Molesey Boat Club before turning to come in.

·         Keep to the Boat Club side of Tagg' s island at all times.

·         Your equipment must conform to the ARA Safety Guidelines.

 

2  SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS

 

Two rescue boats and a First Aid patrol are in attendance. They are in radio communication with each other and several observers stationed over the course from start to finish. Six marshalling launches are also on hand to give or summon help.

 

In the event of an accident, you should summon help from the nearest point. The rescue boat will be called, and if necessary will take an injured person to Molesey Boat Club, or an alternative road access.

 

3  GOING TO THE START

 

Keep to the right of the river going to the start until directed to cross over.

 

The eights marshalling area is well below Sunbury lock on the SURREY bank. Crews should form a single line with boat number ONE at the top, starting just below the water intake on the Surrey bank above Sunbury Court Island as directed by the Start Marshal. There are markers on the bank for positions 1, 10, 20 and 30. Fours should marshall immediately behind the last eight on the SURREY side. In the event of a second division being needed, this will be marshalled on the Middlesex bank until the last boat of the first division has passed safely.

                                                                                                                               

Crews should be in position not less than ten minutes before the start of the race. This means you should be clear of the landing stage at Molesey Boat Club at least thirty five minutes before the start.

 

Crews arriving in the starting area will come under the instructions of a marshal. If you do arrive late, you will be held on the Middlesex side below Bungalow Island until all other crews have started. A crew which arrives late and interferes in any way with a crew which has started will receive a 30 second penalty.

 

Practice starts must be only be carried out along the Surrey side of Platt’s Eyot, not from the race start point.

 

4  THE START

 

The start is clearly marked on the Surrey bank. When the signal for the race to start is given by loud-hailer, all crews should remove sweaters, paddle in order up stream and turn round the TURNING BUOY. Keep at one length intervals, and turn upstream of the buoy, allowing for the current.

 

After turning, paddle on down towards the start, but do not easy again unless told to do so by the Start Marshal. Crews will be started as they cross the line thus: "No.1..Go!, No 2 ..Go!" and so on. Times will be taken from a point five or six strokes beyond the start line.

 

5   THE RACE

 

Remember to keep to the RIGHT of the centre of the river, and give way to overtaking crews by going to the RIGHT towards the Surrey bank.

 

Umpires are stationed at intervals along the towpath and will report any infringement of the rules.

 

6  THE FINISH

 

The finish is at Hampton Ferry, opposite Hampton Church, and is marked with a FINISH sign on the Surrey bank.

 

Crews should keep moving at the finish so as not to impede other crews, and steer to the LEFT of Garrick Island. Then keep to the RIGHT of all islands on the way back to Molesey Boat Club. Turn opposite the Club and come into the landing stage. DO NOT GO to the left of Tagg's island as there is a weir at the bottom of that channel, and do not go beyond MBC before turning as there is a second weir further downstream.

 

7  GENERAL

 

You will boat from Molesey Boat Club, where changing facilities are available. Trailer parking is available in Graburn Way. Boat assembly should take place on the green. You must register your crew from 11 a.m. onwards. Race numbers must be collected from the Registration Desk after the mandatory coxswain’s meeting at 12 noon, Entry fees must be paid, and ARA entry forms must be fully completed.

 

8  REFUND OF RACE FEES

In the event of cancellation, an alternative date may be offered. Refunds of race fees will be made proportionately after deduction of unavoidable race expenses.