Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club

Small Boats Head

NOTES TO ALL COACHES, CAPTAINS AND COMPETITORS
PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF ALL DULY APPOINTED MARSHALS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF VEHICLES /
TRAILERS / BOATS ETC.

RACE CONTROL
• The Control will be in the Portakabin behind the boathouses at Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club.
• Representative from each Club must report to Race Control to collect numbers before the race.
• Numbers will only be issued where full payment and complete entry forms have been received.
• Empacher numbers will require £5.00 cash deposit on each refundable on return.

CAR PARKING AND TRAILERS at Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club

• Boat trailers may not be taken on to the Club grounds.
• Trailers should be parked in the trailer parking area adjacent to the Club as directed by the marshal.
• When rigging boats at the Club do not block the through access between the gates and the
boathouse.(Keep clear for emergency)
• Only Park in car-park provided adjacent MIRC.(Parking in access road is meter controlled)
NO CAR PARKING AND TRAILERS at Archbishops Palace

ADVICE TO COMPETITORS
• All river participants must be members of British Rowing registered clubs and must bring their BR
Racing Registration cards with them.
• All divisions will start on time unless it’s unsafe to do so e.g. passenger boat is on the course.
• Scullers /crews are requested to make adjustments afloat.
• All boats must be afloat a minimum of 20 minutes before the division starts and must arrive at the
start a minimum of 5 minutes before. Failure to do this may result in a penalty.
• There are toilets and showers at the Club and public toilets across the river in the Millennium River
Park (over the footbridge on the opposite bank)
• There will be available hot food and drink at the Club around the Boathouse area.
TIMETABLE
08.20 Umpires briefing

08:30 Division 1 – Begin boating

09:15 Division 1 – All boats must be afloat
09:30 Division 1 – Race starts

10:30 Division 2 – Begin boating

11:15 Division 2 – All boats must be afloat
11:30 Division 2 – Race starts

12:30 Division 3 – Begin boating

13:15 Division 3 – All boats must be afloat
13:30 Division 3 – Race starts

15:00 approx – Announcement of results and presentation of medals at the Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club
training hut.
Maidstone Small Boats Head

HEAD RACE RULES

1. The race will be rowed under British Rowing Rules and Codes of Practice.

2. The Course from the Kings school Boat House upstream to before Maidstone Bridge (approx.
2500 m)

3. Local Rules of the River. All Boats to keep to the correct bank. On the Archbishop’s Palace and
Towpath side going downstream towards the Start. The Market and Law courts side going
upstream towards the finish. (Race Direction)

4. Overtaking: Boats must overtake on the outside, but do not have the right of way. Boats being
overtaken and must not impede boats overtaking.

5. When boating from the landing stages all boats must for safety, point in the same direction all
bows must be pointing downstream. (Unless directed otherwise by the landing marshals.)

6. Competitors will boat when instructed (see timetable) and proceed downstream to the marshalling
area at light pressure, obey rule 3. Any boat not in position 4 minutes before the start will be held
back and started at the starter’s discretion.

7. There is to be No firm pressure practice rowing above the start.

8. Competitors should make every effort to boat on time (see timetable), failure to do so could result
in being disqualified or a time penalty. Final crews must be afloat at least 15 minutes before
the start of the division. Crews not boating in time may be allowed to row in a later division
(but for time only providing control has been notified immediately). Any crew attempting to
boat after this time will be disqualified.

9. Boats must turn upstream as directed in start marshalling area, odd numbers lying in to the right
bank, even numbers to the left bank.

10. Boats will be started in the centre of the river normally at approx 10-15 second intervals depending
on conditions. Once the race has started the following boats must ensure they reach the start line
on time.

11. Bank umpires/marshals will be at bends and bridges to ensure compliance with rules 3 and 4.
Boats not complying may be disqualified or given a time penalty.

12. At the finish boats must continue upstream and remain above the town bridge (second bridge past
the finish). All boats should remain pointing upstream (Race Direction) until Division has ended in
order to be able to hold position against any river current. Marshals will tell them when to turn and
where to wait and they must take position without delay as instructed before return downstream to
MIRC boathouse. Boats delaying will incur a one second time penalty for every minute they remain
an obstruction.

13. No boat may return downstream until authorised by an umpire/marshal at the finish (or elsewhere
as appropriate). Competitors must be respectful of other river users and may be subject to
marshal’s instructions. Any boat seen to touch or collide (before, during or after racing)
with cruisers, either moored or otherwise, may be subject to disqualification.

14. Umpires and race officials will be wearing yellow net jerkins and/or armbands and will assist in an
emergency. Their instruction regarding safety must be followed at all times.
 15. First Aiders will be in attendance. (Qualified MIRC wearing arm band identification)

16. In the event of a collision or sinking, stay with your boat. Rescue will be initially from the
towpath side by throw-line whilst the safety boats respond.

17. Following boats must assist anyone in difficulties and take appropriate action to forestall
any possible consequential incident.

18. Those taking over a boat for the next division must be ready and do so as soon it arrives or the
boat will be sent away from the boating areas. Please remember to change Empacher Number
and “adjust out”.

19. Scullers /Crews are responsible for ensuring they are wearing the correct numbers on their
clothing and that Empacher numbers are affixed to bow of their boat and for returning them.
All numbers must be attached before boating from the landing stage.

20. ANY INTERFERANCE WITH A RACE BY A BOAT NOT IN THE DIVISION RACING WILL
RESULT IN THE DISQULIFICATION OF THE INTERFERING BOAT.

21. The weather may be cold so ensure all competitors boat with especially junior’s wear sufficient
clothing to keep warm while marshalling for start and awaiting return at finish. Coaches and
seniors must ensure all juniors have adequate clothing. Marshals at the boating areas will be
watching out for inadequate clothing and to avoid delay ensure they have this with them.

22. Any competitor who is under medication must ensure this is available and that coaches/crew
members are aware of any needs and have advised the regatta committee.

23. No Cycling is allowed on the towpath for the instruction of racing crews this applies to all clubs
and is a safety requirement to protect members of the public using the towpath during the day

DECLARATION

I hereby confirm that the above rules have been circulated to all the competitors from my rowing
club, and that in particular all competitors understand rules 21 and 22 and that collision with moored
boats before, during and after racing will result in disqualification and coaches and captains
understand rule 23.

Signed………………………………. Dated………………………………

On behalf of ………………….…………….Rowing/Boat Club

 FINISH START
The Market and Law courts side of river

Upstream
Overtaking on this side
Direction of Racing
Downstream

Overtaking this side

River Medway Direction of river flow

Boats with Bows pointing downstream unless

Crews taking over Directed otherwise by Landing Marshal
boat in 2nd 3rd divs.
be waiting ready. MIRC Landing Stage
4+ & 4X-
2X & 1X

Public Towpath Area to be kept clear

The Archbishops Palace
and Towpath side of river
during boating and landing
times of all bystanders
unless assisting
Public Footpath
Maidstone Invicta RC
Boat Access Trailer and car parking with boat
access to river only through MIRC

Boat Circulation Plan (Boats pointing Downstream)