Regatta Protocol

DAYS LEADING UP TO THE REGATTA 

Attendance is always an important part of the training process but the days leading up to a regatta are even more imperative. In addition to the final rows and race preparation there is also the need to clean, de-rig and load equipment onto the trailer. A practice session is usually used to perform these duties but there may be times when rowers are required to perform these duties outside of practice time. Each athlete is responsible for making sure that the equipment they need to race is properly prepared and safely on the trailer. All rowers are responsible to remain at the club until all loading is complete. 

TYPICAL REGATTA PROCEDURES 

At each regatta rowers are required to check in with their coach upon arrival. Rowers should be at the trailer 2-3 hours before the start of their first race OR at the time specified by a coach. DO NOT BE LATE! The time assigned is the time to be at the trailer NOT arriving at the regatta site. It is the rowers responsibility to plan accordingly. 

After arriving rowers must notify a member of the coaching staff whenever they leave the trailer area (visits to restrooms, concession stands, etc). Rowers will be expected to get their equipment off the trailer and ready to race. If the race time is exceptionally early in the morning coaches may request that athletes come to the trailer the day before to get equipment ready. Coaches will instruct athletes to stretch, warm up on land, and have a final boat meeting prior to launching. Coaches often have several boats to take care of so they may ask athletes/coxswains to take on these responsibilities themselves. Parents SHOULD NOT be hanging around the trailer during this time. 

Boats typically launch 30-45 minutes prior to the race time. Weather conditions can change quickly on the water so race delays can occur. Once finishing the race boats will return to the trailer and follow the instructions given by a coach. This will include a cool down, post race meeting, derigging, and re loading the trailer. 

Rowing is a team sport. Athletes are expected to not only assist the teammates in their boat but also the other WBC rowers as needed. Extra hands are often needed to get boats on/off the trailer, help boats launch and return, tidy up around the trailer site, etc. Athletes should expect to remain at the regatta site for the entire day unless otherwise told otherwise by a coach. Under no circumstances should a rower leave the regatta site without permission from a coach. 

WHAT TO BRING 

Dress appropriately for regatta weather conditions. Make sure to check weather forecasts, bring the appropriate apparel, and be prepared for possible changes to the weather. Each athlete needs to have their uniform and rigging tools as well as warm-up layers, jackets, hats, gloves, sunglasses, t-shirts, socks, sneakers, boots, etc. 

A regatta will be held regardless of inclement weather so be prepared! Spectators, be prepared as well! We have team tents so you will have some shelter from the weather but you’ll want to be well equipped with the appropriate gear. Plan on a lot of standing and waiting. Bring a couple fold up chairs and/or blankets to sit on, maybe a good book, and of course look forward to meeting and chatting with other parents! 

TRAVEL 

The club does not provide travel arrangements to regattas. Directions and other needed information, including the race schedule, will be posted in SportsYou in the week prior to the regatta. There are usually a lot of details so please be sure to look through everything and plan extra travel time to allow for parking and finding the trailer. Many regatta sites charge for parking so have some cash on hand. 

We usually try to have a block of hotel rooms reserved ahead of time for regattas that require an overnight stay. The information you need to call and reserve one of these rooms will be given at the appropriate time. All travel and hotel costs are the responsibility of each family. 

THE DAY AFTER A REGATTA 

Athletes will be expected to help unload the trailer and re-rig boats after the trailer returns from a regatta. This will often be done during the next regularly scheduled training session but there are times where athletes will be asked to perform these duties outside of practice time. Each athlete is responsible for making sure that the equipment they raced with is properly re-rigged and safely returned to the boathouse storage rack. All rowers are responsible to remain at the club until all unloading is complete. 

TEAM SUPPORT 

Regattas are usually large, all day events. Sometimes multiple days. It is customary that each team supports their athletes and families with a team tent and food (usually breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks). Many volunteers will be needed and it’s a great way to both meet other parents, support your athlete and enjoy the day. The primary purpose of everything is to give athletes shelter and food but we highly encourage parents, family and friends to enjoy the camaraderie, have a meal or two, take shelter when needed, and cheer our crews on! 

Funding for the tent, food, grill, etc is made possible by the team fundraising efforts. Please see the Fundraising Page for more detail. Athletes eat for free, we ask that family and friends make a donation using the donation jar at the tent. 

RACING DIVISIONS 

The races have separate divisions: Men's (M), Women's (W), heavyweight (HWT) or open, and lightweight (LWT). Races are then divided up into 8+, 4+, 4x, 2x, and 1x. In a typical regatta you see separate races scheduled for M8+, W8+, M4+, W4+ through to Wlx and MIx. There are often heavyweight and lightweight divisions that would require a lightweight weigh-in before the start of racing. You may also see divisions according to experience (novice, JV, varsity) or age (U19, U17, U15 with the U meaning under). See Rowing Terms for more details on boat classifications. 

SPRINT RACES 

These races are typically held in the spring and summer. The standard racing distance is 2000 meters and usually has six shells racing in designated lanes that may or may not be marked. All boats start even and completely stopped in the water. The starter says “Attention, Go” and the boat that crosses the finish line first is the winner. These races can take anywhere from 6 to 9 minutes depending on class, weather conditions, water current and condition and experience of the rowers. 

HEAD RACES 

These time trial style races are generally held in the fall and are about 2.5-3 miles long. Each division starts boats separately at 10-15 second intervals. Head races are usually conducted on a river with an assortment of bridges and turns that can make passing interesting. Results are determined by which crew covers the course in the least amount of time. There are referees throughout the course and time penalties are given for missed buoys, unsportsmanlike conduct, improper passing or failure to yield.