Norwich Head

Saturday24th February 2018

Instructions toCompetitors, Coaches and Coxes

General Information

  • Please ensure that all competitors and coaches are aware of the attached information, prior to arriving at Norwich Rowing Club (NRC).
  • It is your responsibility to ensure compliance with any requirements set out in the British RowingRowSafe Guide and that your equipment complies with BR standards. Any boat that fails to fulfill these requirements (e.g. an intact bowball, and appropriately adjusted heel restraints) will NOT be allowed on the water.
  • Access to the area adjacent to the Whitlingham Boathouse will be restricted to trailers and vehicles transporting racing boats. NO cars (except those transporting boats) will be allowed to access the track beyond the old NRC clubhouse car park (see map).
  • A Safety Briefing will take place at 08h00 at the newWhitlingham Boathouse for race officials. Competitors are also welcome to attend.
  • The Race will be held at NRC, Whitlingham Lane, Trowse, Norwich, NR14 8TR, Grid Reference TG252075

Trailer and Car parking

Car Park Marshalls will be located at the entrance to the Club- only trailers and cars with boats will be allowed down to the WhitlinghamBoathouse to offload trailers and boats. After offloading cars are to be parked in Whitlingham Lane or thePay and Displaycarparks(see map- car park Marshalls will be in attendance). Please park considerately to allow as many cars as possible into the car park.Please DO NOT block any access to the neighbouring properties or in the emergency access route (see ‘2’ on the attached map).

BE AWARE: The track to the quayside is also an access route to the Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre(WOEC)- their track joins from the RIGHT at the gateway on the far side of the old clubhouse compound (see ‘2’ on attached map). The track and gateways are narrow and pot-holed sotrailers must proceed with the utmost caution.

Registration

Registration will take place in the Whitlingham Boathouse (see ‘10’ on the map). Please report here for numbersand registration. Racecontrol will be open from 08h00 to 09h30 for Division 1. Please ensure that all substitutions are submitted, along with payment, in advance of racing. No numbers will be released unless all documentation is in order. Registration and collection of numbers for Division 2 may be completed up to 13h15but please collect as early as possible.

Race numbers: Two numbers+pins will be provided per crew and a numbered plate for inserting into Empacher slots. Please pin one number to your racing kit; the other should be visible on your way to the start (to be worn at Bow in crew boats).

Be aware that Registration closes 1 hour before division start times. No numbers will be allocated after these times- whether paid or unpaid. BR membership will be checked prior to the award ofany prizes.

Boating and rigging

Please heed the boating Marshall’s instructions on the quayside. There will be TWO locations for launching (see attached map).

  • An area for rigging will be available in the field adjacent to the small Broad (see ‘7’ on the map). Rigging may also be possible in the trailer area but NOT on the road as you may block the emergency access to WOEC.
  • All visiting 1x, 2x and 2- boats will launch from the pontoon area adjacent to the WOEC (see ‘8’ on the map). No offloading will be permitted at the pontoon, all boats will offload at the quayside after the race.
  • All 4x/4+ and 8s will launch from the quayside (see ‘9’ on the map) as instructed by the Marshalls.

All crews must have their equipment by the quaysideor pontoon prior to boating. Please use the scaffolding frames at both ends of the quay for oars and bladesso they do notpresent a trip hazard.Please complete ALL adjustments to boats away from the quayside to avoid congestion.

ANY CREW CAUSING A DELAY TO THE BOATING SCHEDULE WILLFORFEIT THEIR SLOT.

A boating schedule will be issued on race day- please adhere to it. If boating is running ahead of schedule Marshalls may ask crews to boat earlier than their allotted time.

Spot checks on heel restraints and bow balls will be carried out prior to boating. All coxes shall wear a life jacket appropriate for either stern or bow-loaded positions and each boat will need to have heel restraints and bow balls appropriately fixed. Any craft that fails to meet the relevant BR safety standards will not be allowed to boat. NRC is the official boating location but spot checks on equipment may be made at other locations.

NO BOATS WILL BE PERMITTED TO BOAT AFTER 09h45 FOR DIVISION 1 AND 13h40 FOR DIVISION 2. ALL CREWS MUST BE PAST THE FINISH BY 10h00 FOR DIVISION 1 AND 13h45 FOR DIVISION 2.

The Marshalls will turn back late crews. PLEASE BE AT THE START, IN YOUR MARSHALLING POSITION AT LEAST 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE START TIME FOR ALL RACES.

Footwear- A major limiting factor to getting crews on and off the water efficiently is dealing with footwear. Shoes and Wellington boots must NOT be left on the quayside or pontoon as they constitute a significant trip hazard. If you are not taking footwear in your boat please arrange for club colleagues to collect and return your footwear in a timely manner. Any footwear left on the pontoon or quayside will be removed.

Tidal and weather conditions on Saturday February 24th

The approximate times of high and low water on race day are as follows-

LW- 06.38

HW-12.54

Crews should ensure they avoid grounding the rudder and fin, and that riggers are clear of the quayside when loading to avoid damaging their craft. Depending on tidal conditions for Division 1 alternative boating locations may be utilised- crews will receive appropriate instructions and directions on the day.

On race day the forecast is for sunny, breezy conditions with temperatures ranging from 3°c -5°cAll entrants can expect to be on the water for some time so please ensure crews are appropriatelyattired for conditions on the day. Race Marshallswillprohibit any crew from boating if they are not suitably attired.

Navigation

The river willNOTbe closed during Division 1 and 2 races. All crews musttherefore use utmost caution since this is a navigable waterway and you may encounter cruisers, other craft and fishermen. Therefore, all crews MUST follow instructions provided by the raceMarshalls positioned along the course.

  • Overtaking: The slower boat must move out of the racing line when the bow ball of the overtaking boat is level with the stern of the slower boat. Time penalties of 10 seconds will apply if this is not heeded. All appeals must be addressed to the Chief Umpire immediately after the division.
  • CAPSIZE: Inthe event of a capsize you will not be allowed to continue to the start, or to finish the race.

Normal rules of navigation apply (except in respect of the local racing rule above)- stay towards the right (i.e. the starboard or bowside bank) while paddling to the start and after the finish. All overtaking (except when racing) is to the centre and the left of the craft being passed. There are Marshals throughout the course who will provide safety advice to competitors and other craft.

Capsize- in the event of a capsize follow your usual capsize drill. Bank based Marshals, umpires and a rescue boat will support you if required. In case of any injury Medical Support will be summoned.

Emergencies

A detailed Safety Planfor this event has been prepared. Brief details for competitors are provided below -

Medical support will be located at the race Finish (GR: TG269078) during the racing times.

In the event of an emergency the Medical Support, Emergency Co-ordinator and Race Control will manage the incident and have mobile phones/FM radios to contact Emergency Services and will dispatch someone to direct an ambulance or other services to the incident. Race Marshals will also have radio communication with Race Control.

All umpires/launch drivers will have mobile phones and radios to summon assistance in the event of an emergency. There is vehicular access at three locations by public highway (the short course start, the A47 flyoverand Whitlingham Green) and numerous boat yard locations. The race officials will be able to liaise with the emergency service regarding the best access locations.

The nearest A & E department is located atthe Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UY (Tel: 01603 286286).

Division 1 and 2 marshalling Instructions

ALL rowers should note the river will NOT be closed during racing and of the need to be aware of oncoming river traffic. Long course competitors will boat before short course competitors.

Long course - Long course crews should marshal downstream of the start in the area marked on the attached map. All competitors will face downstream with odd race numbers on the south bank and even ones on the north bank in race order i.e. the first crew will be located closest to the start.

Short course- Short course competitors will be marshalled at the area downstream of the short course start as marked on the attached map. All short course competitors will be marshalled on the north bank facing downstream in race order i.e. the first crew will be located closest to the start. Please ensure you marshal close to the river bank.Competitors must keep clear of any boats moving downstream to the long course start. Once all long course competitors have passed Marshalls will instruct you when to turn and approach the start.

These instructions may need to be revised on the day as a result of weather or other conditions – follow the instructions from the race Marshalls at all times.

On passing the finish keep rowing past the Whitlingham bend to enable following boats to complete the race.

Results

All results will be availableapproximately one hour after completion of Division 2. A copy will also be available on the NRC web site ( Trophies will be presented following the second division at c.16h00.

Facilities

Changing and shower facilities will be available at the Whitlingham Boathouse throughout the day.Also hot food and drinks will be available from 08h00.In addition to the main clubhousefacilities portable toilets will be available at the quayside.

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