Know the Rules

A Coxswain

Six (6) regular oarspersons

Up to 2 spare oarspersons who, (at the option of the coxswain and the regular oarspersons) may substitute for any regular oarsperson in any Regatta activity as prescribed by these Rules; and

A coach and/or manager (at the option of the remainder of the crew) but the maximum number in a crew shall be 10.

An Official Registration Card and waivers to be fully completed by all crews (as prescribed) prior to training on the Pond.

The Registration Card shall contain the full name, physical address, phone number, email address, and birth date of each crew member, the name of the Official Representative, the name of the sponsor, the name and category under which the crew intends to row and such other information as shall be stipulated.   In the case of Squirts, Juvenile, Midget, Intermediate, and Masters crews, proof of age in a form acceptable to the Rules Committee which would include birth certificate, MCP card or driver’s license for all crew members (except the coxswain, manager and coach) shall accompany the registration card.

Seats: Seats are provided by the Regatta Committee and must not be modified in any way. Disinfectant may be used if desired. Only fibreglass safe waxes (ie: water based) are allowed to be used on the seats. Permitted waxes will be posted at the boathouse. Lubrication or mechanical loosening liquids such as silicone or petroleum based products are not to be used. This includes and may not be limited to being applied on clothing before using the seat.

Any device that may affect performance may not be applied in any way.

Lubricants or use of any product that is applied in any way, that is not deemed to be seat safe by the Chairperson of Rules Committee, Captain of the Course or the boathouse manager, will be cause for discipline as per section 3.16 and 3.17

Footboards: Foot-board modifications that include affixed footwear or alternate strapping devices other than the footings/straps/restraints provided, is not permitted. Modifications may be made to the rowers footwear that permit individual comfort, such as adding padding between the feet, as long as it does not damage the shell and is completely removed from the boat after use. Similarly, any rower with a medical disability, upon provision of a medical physician’s letter to that effect, may apply for additional consideration for equipment modification.

Oarlocks: The only modifications allowed for oarlocks are (a) two washers adjustable for height and (b) the oar collar for inboard or outboard. Any further modifications to the oars, oar locks or collars will be cause for discipline as per section 3.16 and 3.17.

Any concerns with respect to equipment used by oarspersons should be brought to the attention of the Chairperson of the Rules Committee or the Captain of the Course to be dealt with in accordance with the Royal St. John’s Regatta Rules and Regulations.

(a)   suspension of the crew for 3 days for the first offence

(b)   suspension of the crew for 5 days for the second offence

c)   any subsequent offence shall result in disqualification from participation in any officially sanctioned rowing events for the duration of the rowing season

(b)  a Yellow Flag shall indicate a crew may only practice on a lesser portion of the course and at the discretion of the Boathouse Manager or delegate

(c) A Red Flag shall indicate that NO CREW OR OARSPERSON shall be permitted to row on the pond during that period of time.

Responsibility and accountability for the daily operation of this rowing safety flag system shall be the sole responsibility of the Boathouse Manager or his/ her designated representative only.  Failure to comply will result in the same penalty as outlined in Section 3.16

(a) the coxswain in the affected crew shall indicate the happening thereof by  raising his/ her hand over his/ her shoulder;

(b) the Chief Judge/Starter shall not stop the Time Trial heat in question (except when for safety reasons in his/her sole opinion, considers it necessary or prudent to do so) but shall note the signal of the coxswain of the affected crew and adjudicate upon the happening as set out herein;

(c) where, in the sole opinion of the Captain of the Course, an affected crew or crews would be unfairly prejudiced by an accident or equipment breakage or malfunction, or any other adverse advent at the discretion of the judges, the affected crew or crews shall be granted the opportunity to row again for time only.

(d) the affected crew or crews, as nearly as is practical, shall maintain the same Shell and stake as it rowed during the Time Trial heat in which the accident or equipment breakage or malfunction occurred and shall row again in an available heat and Shell as determined by the Captain of the Course in his /her sole discretion.

The choice of Shell by an Official Representative is final and shall be binding upon the crew that that person represents.

In the absence of an Official Representative representing a crew, the Chairperson of the Rules Committee, or his/her nominee, may in his/her sole discretion accept as the Official Representative of a crew a person nominated in writing by the registered Official Representative of that crew, or nominated in writing by a majority of the oarspersons of that crew.  In the absence of an Official Representative, the Chairperson of the Rules Committee, or his/her nominee, shall assign a person to select a Shell for the crew whose Official Representative is absent and such choice of Shell shall be binding upon such crew.

The meeting of Official Representatives for the purpose of conducting the selection for Shells shall be held at the Boathouse, Quidi Vidi Lake, St. John’s, upon the completion of the Regatta day schedule, the time and date to be determined by the Captain of the Course.

Any crew not in position to commence a race within ten minutes after the race has been called may be disqualified by the Captain of the Course from participating in that race.

“Are you ready, Number 1?;

“Are you ready Number 2?”

“Are you ready Number 3?

“Are you ready Number 4 and

“Are you ready number 5?”

The coxswain of each crew shall signify to the Chief Judge/Starter the readiness of that crew to start the race.  When all coxswains have indicated their readiness, the Chief Judge/Starter shall ask again “Are you all ready?” and, in the absence of an indication from any coxswain that a crew is not ready, the race shall be started by the firing of a gun, or the sounding of a horn, as a signal for the start of the race.

(a) A Shell that approaches its designated turning buoy first has the right of way at all times                including into and out of its designated turning buoy. Any crew whose Shell obstructs or            interferes with the Shell of any other crew engaged in a race shall be disqualified

(b) All Shells shall approach and round their respective turning buoys on the south side of that        turning buoy and shall finish the race on the north side of their respective starting stake.              Any crew violating this rule shall be disqualified from the race.

8.3.1    entering a sanctioned racing event and then failing to appear without valid reason and adequate notice;

8.3.2   entering a racing shell without proper foot attire or in such a manner likely to cause damage to the racing shell or not in accordance with the regulations of the Regatta Committee;

8.3.3   defaulting in a sanctioned racing event except as a result of personal injury or other reason, in the opinion of the Chairperson of the Rules Committee, sufficiently grave to justify such default;

8.3.4    during the course of any Regatta activity;

i) swearing at any official, Regatta Committee employee, spectator or opponent,

ii) using profane, obscene or rude language or gestures,

iii)       showing outward displays of temper or anger including the throwing of any equipment or object;

iv) deliberately throwing or propelling any object in the direction of an official, spectator, or opponent including attempting to splash water thereon;

v) threatening bodily injury to anyone;

vi)  indulging in blatant gamesmanship which includes but is not limited to deliberate stalling of the commencement of a Regatta Activity;

vii)   intentionally making any gesture or noise in order to distract an opponent during the conduct of a sanctioned racing event;

viii)     physically assaulting officials, participants or spectators including the splashing of water thereon;

ix) with the exception of minor adjustments to (a) an oar collar (b) adjustable washers, tampering with any shell, including adjustment to the oar lock/outrigger structure;

x) malicious, negligent or willful damage to the racing shells, equipment or property of the Regatta Committee;

xi) failure to follow the directions of any safety official acting under the authority of the Regatta Committee;

xii)    other actions detrimental to the safety of persons or detrimental to property of the Regatta Committee or to the impairment of the operations of the Regatta, its events, equipment or otherwise.

8.3.5      i)  possessing or using alcohol within the precincts of any facilities owned, managed                      or controlled by The Royal St. John’s Regatta Committee without the express                                    permission of the Regatta Committee;

ii) being under the adverse influence of alcohol or drugs within the precincts of any                        facilities owned, managed or controlled by The Royal St. John’s Regatta Committee.