HEXHAM REGATTA

LOCAL RULES

The Hexham Regatta course has three lanes, two downstream racing lanes, NORTH (far side) & SOUTH (Tyne Green/boathouse side) & a third upstream lane, BANKSIDE, which allows competing crews to row to the start.

There are two landing stages. The upper landing (concrete steps next to the finish caravan) is for boating and the lower landing (boathouse/ramp) is for landing.

1. Lower numbered crew takes NORTH station.

Higher numbered crew takes SOUTH station (boathouse side).

2. Boat from the upper landing WITH YOUR OPPOSITION not more than 20 minutes and not less than 15 minutes before your race – THIS RULE WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED! It is each crew’s responsibility to be at the start on time. If you are likely to be delayed due to doubling up or boat-sharing, please inform race control AND YOUR OPPONENTS immediately. The landing marshal will TURN AWAY lone crews who attempt to boat without their opposition!

SO: YOU FIND OUT WHO YOUR OPPONENTS ARE & BOAT WITH THEM!

3. Pairs of competing crews will row up to the start in the bankside lane, keeping close to their right-hand bank (coxes left-hand), being especially mindful of races (especially involving coxless boats & scullers) coming down the course.

4. Crews will marshal in the bankside lane below the start in their opposing pairs, keeping clear of the buoyed areas (very shallow with underwater obstructions).

5. Warming up or practising on the course is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN! Crews which attempt this risk disqualification at the discretion of the umpires.

6. Pairs of crews will move up above the start on instruction from the start marshal. BE CAREFUL WHEN ROWING IN THIS AREA – IT IS VERY SHALLOW TO THE SIDES AND ABOVE THE ISLAND, WITH SOME UNDERWATER OBSTRUCTIONS (see map enclosed or on back cover of the programme).

7. Opposing crews will move onto the stakeboats on the instructions of the start umpire.

8. At the finish of the race, indicated by a blast on an air horn, crews should paddle clear of the finish line, but being mindful of the weir under the bridge, spin their boats parallel to the bridge and land on the lower (boathouse) landing stage.

9. Please disembark as quickly as possible and do not leave boats on the landing (however, if another crew is using the boat immediately after your race, change the crews over on the lower landing (having already informed your opponents to boat when they see you changing over) & paddle up to the start together.

10. Boat trailers and competitor’s cars should be parked on Tyne Green (entrance along Tyne Green Road, past the café – follow the signs). Please park all trailers at the front of the Green (riverside) parallel to each other & park all cars/towing vehicles parallel to each other along the back of the Green (road side).

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PARK BY THE BOATHOUSE – this is reserved for emergency vehicle access and MUST be kept clear AT ALL TIMES.