Rules of Racing
The purposes of the Rules of Racing are to:
- provide a basis for safe, fair and equal racing
- ensure that due notice is taken of the Row Safe Guidance, the provisions of which shall take precedence at all times
- provide a consistent framework for the regulation and organisation of Regattas and other rowing events
The Rules of Racing apply to all rowing and sculling races, events and regattas that are registered by British Rowing.
The rules specifically cover:
- conduct of the race
- safety
- competitors
- classification of events
- Regatta organisation
- Head and processional races
- sponsorship
Rules of Racing 2013
The Rules of Racing for 2013 show some minor but important changes in relation to the administration of events and competitors participating. The Panel has looked at ‘local rules’ and changed wording has resulted, requiring events to obtain approval from the local Regional Umpiring Committee for the local rules that they wish to implement. This change has arisen because some local rules have, in the past, effectively over-ruled the provisions of the Rules of Racing and this is not what they are intended for. The Rules hitherto also enabled the Chairman of a Head Race Committee in conjunction with the Safety Adviser, Chief Marshall and Chief Umpire to over-ride the Rules, though the rules change will also prevent this from happening. The Rules are there to ensure safe and fair racing for all and if one event can change them to suit its circumstances, this is not considered to be fair. Competition rule changes have also been addressed. From the beginning of April, an Umpire will now be able to instruct crews to ‘move apart’ officially, this instruction not having previously been within an umpire’s remit. Of more interest to competitors, particularly Lightweights however is the introduction of different minimum weights for summer competition and winter training periods. It is hoped that this will be of assistance to Lightweights when scheduling their winter training. Following requests from competitors and their coaches, an ‘U19’ classification has been added to the Seniors Class of Events. Finally, a number of changes have been made to reflect the changes to the Articles of Association and Rules of British Rowing.
Tim Walton, Chairman, Rules of Racing Panel
Download the 2013 Rules of Racing
Rules of Racing 2012
Changes to the Rules of Racing for 2012 come into effect on 1st April. A review of typographical and tautological errors in the Rules has resulted in a number of minor corrections. It is recognised that officials cannot be responsible for checking all competitors equipment and the new wording that they will ‘use their best endeavours’ reflects this. Minor alterations have been made to the start routine also and it is worthwhile re-reading this to become acquainted with the new wording. BROE has now been included into the Rules and recognising the increasing use of electronic and data transfer, returns following regattas are now to be made electronically. Two changes have been made in the Junior events section, namely the introduction of the rule that prevents any Junior rowing at Lightweight and secondly, confirmation that only Juniors of J14 age band and above winning a Junior qualifying event will be Junior A for the remainder of the age band of competition at which the qualifying win was achieved. Finally, some equivocality regarding limitations on entry into Primary events has also been corrected in the 3rd bullet of Appendix B. This year's changes are highlighted by the sidebars in the attached document.
Tim Walton, Chairman, Rules of Racing Sub Committee
Download the 2012 Rules of Racing
Rules of Racing 2011
From April 2011, a win in a regatta where nine or more crews start has been rewarded with two status points. The 'top-up' rules were also extended to recognise the significant achievements of the openweight Boat Race crews. With the growing popularity of competition for rowers new to the sport the definition of primary events was revised and added to the Rules of Racing. One important change for events was that a regatta can offer a mix of primary and regular events on the same programme.
Taken from an article by Paddy Ibbotson, Chairman of the National Competition Committee, Rowing & Regatta Jan/Feb 2011
