Getting Ready for “Go!”

Getting Ready for “Go!” First race of the season, first race of the regatta, first race in 9 or so months !!!!

Referee on the Water (ROTW) …..so, you’re in a launch….. …..so, how good is your driver?.... …..and then, the race is getting ready to start….. What do you know? What are you doing? Why?

Launch Team Driver and Referee Key topics to review with your driver at the beginning of your ‘relationship’ • Hand Signals - how do you communicate • Launch position at Start - venue specific • Race Position - how to change during the race • Return to Start procedures – venue specific

ROTW - What do you know? • What race is it? • What’s at stake? What is the progression? • Who’s in what lane? • Who are in “your” lanes? The rest of the field • Do you see another referee? • How proficient is your driver? • Do you have a good “feel” for the entire competitive situation? • What might go wrong? Where is the risk?

ROTW At The Start Preparing for the race • Be with the crews in the start area a few minutes early • Monitor the traffic pattern around and on the course • Help position the crews into the platform or stakeboats, if needed and ONLY if requested by Starter: • Be patient! • Use proper instructions and tone of voice • Identify each crew in the race • Double-check the progression for the upcoming race • Watch the crews, listen to coxswain commands, observe the crew’s response • Check your equipment (watch, megaphone, flags, lanyard) • Check for the other referee

ROTW At The StartTwo minutes to go • Stand up in the launch • Stopwatch, flags, megaphone, launch, and driver all ready • Watch crews and hands (bow seat and/or cox)

ROTW - What are you doing? Thought a picture might work here, but cannot find a good one. If you cannot either then just expand out the words • Why are you standing up? • Informs the Starter and other officials that you’re “taking” the race • Is your watch clear? • Are your flags and megaphone handy? • Is the red flag accessible but relatively hidden? • Do the crews need help? • Are you holding on? (see “Launch team…..driver”)

ROTW At The StartAttention, Go! -- The first 100 meters • “The clock is running…” • Hand up at start or crew did not start? • Watching the Judge-at-Start; False start (Red Flag & sound) • Collisions or major interference • Rower in the water or overturned boat?

Breakage(rules 2-311 and 2-407(d)) • If a boat stops rowing within 100 meters of the start, STOP THE RACE, STOP THE RACE, STOP THE RACE! • First 100 meters (AKA the breakage zone) are : • Marked with flags at the side of the course or • Change in buoy colors or • Defined as the first 20 seconds of the race • Approach the boat to determine if they have breakage • What does not constitute breakage? • Failure of the Cox-box or other rowing aids • Breakage due to crabs or jumped slides • Equipment failure due to poor maintenance

Breakage(rules 2-311, 2-406, 2-405) • Check boat for broken equipment • Cautiously approach the shell, may even need to use the paddle in the launch, and if necessary, try to calm the rowers • Determine the actual equipment issue and time to affect repairs • Inform Starter ASAP, if outside assistance is required • The affected crew may restart with no penalty if there was legitimate breakage • The crew may be penalized (e.g. warning) if they stopped with no breakage • Inform the Starter ASAP of your findings and decision WRT penalties

Why are we doing this - Primary Duties of the Referee (rules 2-403, 2-404) • Maintain the safety and fairness of the race: • Safety: always • Fairness: maintain and protect “equal chances” for all crews in the race • May need to Flag or Warn crews to: • Prevent interference • Prevent a crew from gaining an unfair advantage • Prevent an accident • Do not steer the crews !! • Proper steering is part of the skill of racing • Mentally document a factual record of the race

Getting Ready for “Go!” Any Questions????

Getting Ready for “Go!”