Time Trials

 All boats go thru time trials – 1500 meter head races.  Top crews from time trials advance to semi-finals or finals, depending on the number of entries in the event.

  • Crews start with intervals of 15 seconds between boats; 30 seconds between boats in same lane.
  • Even numbered crews row in lane 4, odd numbered crews row in lane 5
  • Any crew crossing the course during time trials will be excluded (disqualified).
  • All crews must have their assigned number securely fastened to the bow of their shell and on the back of the bow-most rower.

The Start

  • Upon arriving at the 2000 meter starting line, the marshals will direct you either into the chute for your time trial or upriver to the warm-up area.
  • It is your responsibility to be in numerical order, staying behind the numbers lower than yours and ahead of the numbers higher.
  • Every effort will be made by the marshals to send crews down the chutes in ascending numerical order, but this can only be accomplished with your cooperation.
  • When directed into the chutes, proceed quickly and safely.
  • As you approach the chute, a marshal will be stationed in the middle of the course, between lanes 4 and 5.
    Odd numbered boats will keep the marshal to their port side, even numbered boats will pass with the marshal to their starboard side.
  • Crews shall be responsible for maintaining their proper order at the start, for maintaining the proper interval between it and the other crews in the chutes, and for staying within the chutes as they approach the starting line.
  • Crews not maintaining their proper position may be delayed, moved to the end of the starting order, penalized, or excluded (disqualified).
  • The starter will tell you that you are approaching the starting line. You should increase pressure and cross the line at full pressure.
  • Stay in your lane for the entire race course except for broken equipment or to yield to an overtaking boat.

Broken equipment

  • Move to lane 3 (if rowing in lane 4) or lane 6 (if rowing in lane 5).
  • If the broken equipment occurs before Strawberry Mansion Bridge, you will be allowed to return to the Canoe Club and attempt repairs.
  • If the broken equipment occurs after Strawberry Mansion Bridge, proceed down the course, if possible, to the finish line without hindering racing crew. You will not be permitted to restart.

Passing

  • 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 shall move to lane 3 (if rowing in lane 4) or lane 6 (if rowing in lane 5) to allow the overtaking crew to pass.
  • Any crew failing to yield to an overtaking crew will be disqualified.
  • Course marshals will give instructions as set forth in the USRowing Rules of Rowing. Should it be necessary to exclude (disqualify) a crew during a race, the marshal will raise a white flag and order the offending crew to “stop”. A crew so ordered shall quickly move out of its lane so as not to interfere with any other crew.

Recovery Dock

  • Please be aware that there may be a delay in getting your boat off the river. We strongly advise that you have appropriate clothing and fluids with you when you launch in anticipation of a delay in recovery.
  • Boats will be marshaled into the recovery dock in the bow number order.
  • Hot seating will be allowed based on approval from the Dock Master. In order to Hot Seat, the coach must discuss the plan with the Dock Master. If approved, the Dock Master will provide a Hot Sheet placard. The returning crew must alert the Marshall of the Hot Seat and follow the Marshall’s directions for returning to the dock.
  • All teams must provide assistance to launching and recovering crews to facilitate timely dock management. This must include extra people to carry oars. We do not want the rowers to make an extra trip up the ramp to get or drop off oars. Each team must provide one person for every two sweep oars or pair of sculling oars.
    • Eights and quads: four extra people to carry eight oars.
    • Fours & doubles: two extra people to carry four oars.
    • Singles: one extra person to carry one set of sculling blades.