Welcome to All Competitors

3. HOW TO MAKE ENTRIES

3.1 All entries must be submitted online via RegattaCentral.

3.2 Our entry deadline is at 11:59PM EST, Sunday, October 6, 2024.  After October 6th, registrations may be accepted at double the registration fee based upon availability through October 21, 2024. Consult the SCHEDULE posted under the ‘Compete’ tab on the HOSR web site.  Select and submit payment for the event(s) you wish to enter at Regatta Central.

3.3 Excepting coxswains, alumni boats, parent/child events, and able-bodied rowers in inclusive crews, every competitor in the HOSR is limited to representing one organization only or must register as “unaffiliated.” All boats that contain individuals from more than one organization will be designated as COMPOSITE crews. Composite crews are welcome in any category for which they are qualified and will be eligible to win medals; but their performance will not be counted in the tabulation of points trophies.

3.4 We accept all entries on a first-come, first-served basis but reserve the right to impose a “cap” on heavily subscribed events or portions thereof (see Rule 7.3 below).

3.5 We will refund the entry fee of any entry scratched in writing before the entry-closing deadline of 11:59PM EST, Sunday, October 6, 2024.  We will not refund the entry fee for any entry withdrawn after this date.

3.6 Racing in more than one event: To the extent possible, the HOSR order of events has been organized to enable all rowers and coxswains to compete in multiple events in the category or categories for which they are eligible.

3.7 Please refer to SECTION 4 (Athlete Classifications and Eligibility) for important further details.

3.8 Entry Fees are as follows: Singles $80; Doubles and Pairs $125; Fours and Quads $195; Eights $295.

3.9 Fees must be paid in U.S. dollars.

3.10 The deadline for full payment of all entry fees – standard or late – is at the time entry is made on RegattaCentral.

4. ATHLETE CLASSIFICATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY

4.1  High School Athlete Definition. A high school rower, sculler or coxswain is one who in the current calendar has been enrolled in secondary school as a full-time student seeking a diploma.

4.2   High-School Eligibility. To protect their future collegiate athletic eligibility, rowers and coxswains representing a high school or equivalent entity may only participate in high school events. High school events are closed to all other athletes, including coxswains.

4.3  The High School Races in HOSR 2024 are divided into Varsity, JV and Frosh/Novice categories. The Varsity races are intended for high-school rowers and scullers whose coaches deem them to be of varsity standard. The JV races are intended to provide an appropriate competitive opportunity for high school rowers whose coaches deem them not yet to be of true Varsity standard, but who are above Frosh/Novice standard. Accordingly, no high school program may enter a boat in any of these JV events unless it has also entered at least one boat – its presumed first and fastest boat – in the applicable Varsity event. The Frosh/Novice races are for rowers who began their freshman year in high school as of September 2024; as well as for sophomores, juniors and seniors who, on regatta day, are in their first year of rowing.

4.4 High School Coxswains may steer any eight or four entered by their school but are NOT permitted to steer any non-high school boats whatsoever.

4.5  College Frosh/Novice. A college Frosh (freshman) rower is one who is enrolled full time in his/her first year of undergraduate study at a college or university. A college novice rower is one who is enrolled full time in undergraduate study at a college or university and who, on regatta day, has not been rowing competitively for more than 12 months.

4.6  Club. The HOSR Club Championship Eights are intended to provide an appropriate competitive experience for non-elite club rowers and non-varsity college rowers other than frosh/novices.

By way of illustration, such rowers would not have earned a sweep or sculling medal in the preceding year’s Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, or a previous Head of the Charles, or Head of the Hooch. Nor, during the current calendar year, would such rowers have reached the grand final of a US collegiate or NCAA rowing championship, or the USRowing Club or National Championships or their equivalent regattas in other nations.

At the higher end of the scale, also not eligible to row in the HOSR Club Eights would be sweep rowers and scullers who, in the current year, competed beyond the quarter finals of the Henley Royal Regatta or reached the finals of the Canadian Henley; or who have ever finished among the top six places in any major international regatta such as a FISA World Cup, Lucerne-Rotsee regatta, national team selection trial; or who have represented their country in any international, world or Olympic championship regatta.

4.7  General Eligibility. Notwithstanding Rule 4.5, all non-high school athletes are eligible for any event for which they are otherwise qualified. In particular, COLLEGE athletes excepting frosh/novices, AND EXPERIENCED ATHLETES OF ALL LEVELS UP TO AND INCLUDING ELITES, are eligible to row in Championship events.

4.8  College and Club Coxswains are not subject to any of the above restrictions but are not permitted to steer any high school boats, whatsoever.

4.9  Definition of Lightweight. A men’s lightweight boat, including a single scull, shall contain no rower who weighs more than 160 lb. A women’s lightweight boat, including a single scull, shall contain no rower who weighs more than 130 lb.

4.10  Alumni Eights. Minimum rowing age for participation (excepting coxswains) is 21. Coxswain excepted, the entire crew must consist of individuals who attended the same academic institution but are not currently enrolled at the institution in question.

4.10a  Coxswain excepted, the entire alumni crew must be all male or all female, except for the Mixed Alumni Eights, the crew must be 50% male and 50% female, coxswain excepted.

4.10b  Age adjustment in the computation of results: any alumni crew with an average age (not including the coxswain) of 28 or less will receive no time adjustment.

4.10c  All alumni crews with an average age (not including the coxswain) of 29 and above will receive an age adjustment according to the handicap chart published on the HOSR web site (see Handicap Chart at www.hosr.org under the Competitors tab.)

4.11 Masters and Veterans. Age as of December 31, 2024, rounded down to the highest contained integer, governs, as applicable, both the age-group category and the time adjustment of a given boat in HOSR Veterans events.

4.11a  Masters and Veterans events in the HOSR have age categories of 27-39, 40-49 and 50-59 (no handicap) and 60+ (with handicap) in the relevant events.

4.11b  Except in the Masters Singles events (minimum age 27) all Masters competitors must be at least 21 years old and Veterans Singles scullers must be at least 60. In crews, however, the average age of the rowers will determine the boat’s maximum age-group classification and, for Veterans, its time adjustment in relation to other crews.

4.11c  A Masters or Veterans single sculler or crew may compete in a lower (younger) age category. No Masters single sculler or crew may compete in a higher (older) age category.

4.12  Time Adjustment (or “Handicap”). With limited exceptions for combined events or sub categories, only Veterans, Parent/Child/Sibling, and Alumni events are time-adjusted in the HOSR. Tables showing the time adjustments for all applicable events are available on our website (click here).

4.13 Parent/Child/Sibling Doubles. A child competitor must at minimum be enrolled in high school. Parent/Child and Siblings must be related. High school and collegiate athletes should be aware that participation in this event may affect their NCAA eligibility and should consult with coach/school administration. Entries must comply with all general rules governing other events of the HOSR.

4.14  Adaptive athletes must be officially pre-classified according to current USRowing standards as either AS (arms and shoulders only), TA (trunk and arms) or LTA (legs, trunk and arms).  All adaptive athletes (along with their able-bodied partners if applicable) must individually have the skill, experience and physical fitness to scull and navigate 2.5 miles (4,023 meters) in no more than 30 minutes. Please see complete Adaptive event policies.

4.15  In the spirit of inclusiveness, by request, and on a case-by-case basis, we may grant permission to a crew to row in an event for which they do not meet all eligibility requirements.  Said crews are not eligible for medals and will be placed last in the start order.

4.16  All Competitors in a Crew shall wear identical clothing or similar attempt. Such clothing shall cover the torso of the body. Additional layers may be worn during competition provided it is in the team colors.  Composite boats may wear their respective colors or matching clothing.  Halloween costumes for the entire crew are an exception to the rule!  The Chief Referee may grant exceptions to this rule on account of unusual weather conditions.  

5. LINE-UP AND WAIVER RULES

5.1  After the Initial Entry Deadline (October 6, 2024), no boat will be allowed to switch its event or subcategory unless exceptional circumstances apply. Change petitions must be made directly with the Race Director, whose determination shall be final.

5.2  No substitution whatsoever is allowed for singles boats.

5.3  Masters and Veterans crews excepted (see Rule 5.4 below) substitution not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the rowers is permissible in any other crews, provided that all substitutes are eligible athletes for the event in question. Prior to the start of the regatta, the names of all substitute rowers, accompanied by Waiver Forms and the reasons for substitution must be submitted in writing at on-site registration. Once the regatta is under way and if on-site registration has closed, the substitution procedure outlined above must take place at Regatta Headquarters at the Three Angels launching site, before the affected crew embarks for its race.

5.4  Masters and Veterans crew entries must identify competitors when initially registering on RegattaCentral. No substitutions may be made in Masters or Veterans events after the Late Entry Deadline of 11:59PM EST, October 21, 2024. Having rowers in the correct seat is not necessary, however, showing them in the correct boat is required.

5.5  Waivers/USRowing Membership.  The HOSR is registered with USRowing and accepts the once-a-year USRowing waiver. All U.S. based organizations must hold active organizational membership with USRowing. Organizations can join or renew at the USRowing website. For individuals to be compliant and eligible to compete in USRowing sanctioned events, all the following criteria must be met:

• An active USRowing Championship Membership
• Current signed USRowing membership agreement and waiver
• Completed Self-Attestation (18 or older)
• Current with SafeSport training if considered a Relevant Adult Participant

Competitors can renew an expired membership and/or check their current membership status by logging in to their member profile by clicking here. To avoid delays at registration, teams should make sure all competitors have met these membership requirements prior to arriving at the event. A current listing of your athletes, their member numbers, expiration dates, and SafeSport Training status can be found on the online team roster through the USRowing Membership Portal.  For more information on submitting your waiver, visit USRowing or contact USRowing at 800-314-4ROW or members@usrowing.org.

5.6  At on-site registration, if not already submitted, the regatta committee must receive an executed Waiver Form and USRowing Compliance for each participating competitor in every entered boat. We will not accept “blanket” waivers intended to cover one or multiple entries.

5.7  Please also note that all competitors who are minors (under 18) must have their Waiver executed by their parent and/or legal guardian. No exceptions.

6. ORDER OF EVENTS

6.1  SATURDAY Schedule: All General-Eligibility Championship events as described in Rule 4.8, except the Mixed Championship Doubles  and the Mixed Championship Quads; the Men’s and Women’s College Frosh/Novice Fours and Eights; the Men’s and Women’s Masters and Veterans Fours with Cox; Adaptive Events; Parent/Child doubles; the Masters and Veterans eights and doubles; and the Men’s and Women’s Alumni Eights, Fours and Quads.

6.2  SUNDAY Schedule: The High School Trainer Singles; a full range of Varsity, JV, and Frosh/Novice High School events; the Men’s and Women’s Masters and Veterans Single Sculls; the Mixed Masters and Veterans Doubles; the aforementioned Mixed Championship Doubles and Quads; and the Men’s and Women’s and Mixed Masters and Veterans Quads.

6.3  Changes to the Schedule: The HOSR Regatta Organizing Committee (ROC) seeks to provide a schedule that offers all rowers and scullers a range of opportunities to participate in the regatta. However, the ROC reserves the right to restructure certain portions of the Regatta’s published schedule in advance of the running of said events if, for example, it concludes that an event, or one or more of its subcategories, has not received an adequate number of entries.

7. COMPILATION OF THE DAILY RACING SCHEDULE

7.1  The first five finishers in each of last year’s HOSR 2023 events will be comparably seeded in the same 2024 event IF each finisher submits a complete and accurate entry form on time. This provision applies to organizations and single rowers only, not to composite crews. 

7.2  In each event, the remaining boats entered by 11:59PM EST, Sunday, October 6, 2024, will be seeded according to the best advice available from knowledgeable individuals. Late entries, regardless of caliber, will not be moved ahead of boats already seeded.

7.3  We reserve the right to limit the number of boats that we accept in any event to a number we feel we can safely and prudently handle on the course. In events with subcategories that are oversubscribed, we will determine the number of boats in each subcategory in proportion to the total entries received. We will return the entry fee of any entry we are unable to accept because of oversubscription.

7.4  The regatta committee may combine or cancel events or subcategories of events at its sole discretion.  If events or subcategories are combined, a continuous handicap may be applied.

7.5  Entrants who do not show up on race day may be prohibited from participating in the HOSR the following year.

8. THE GOLD CUP AND US LOTMAN CHALLENGE

8.1 The Gold Cup and US Lotman Challenge will be held on the Cooper River, Pennsauken, NJ as a separate and unique event.

9. ON-SITE REGISTRATION AND LIGHTWEIGHT WEIGH IN

9.1  You must register on site at the regatta and obtain the correct bow marker(s) for your boat(s) no later than two hours before the published start time of your event(s).

9.2  Scullers and crew representatives may pick-up registration packets at the following hours and locations: HOURS: Friday, October 25, 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. at LLOYD HALL (corner of Kelly and Waterworks Drives) or Saturday, October 26, 6:00 – 9:30 a.m. at Lloyd Hall or Saturday, October 26, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at UNIVERSITY BARGE CLUB (#7 Boathouse Row) or Sunday, October 27, 6:00 – 9:30 a.m. at University Barge Club.  Locations and times are subject to change based upon safety protocols and will be updated prior to regatta.

9.3  Traffic and Parking. For your safety and protection, all participants must observe the traffic and parking regulations instituted by the Philadelphia Police and the regatta organizing committee on the day before, and the days of, the regatta, including at on-site registration and weigh in. Please do not park in locations marked as NO PARKING or on the grass. Please place any valuables out of plain sight or take with you.

9.4  Lightweight Weigh-In Locations and Times. Lightweight rowers may weigh in the evening before, or the morning of, their first race. Weigh-in is located at on-site registration, at the places and hours set forth in Rule 9.2 above. For lightweight rowers entered in more than one event, it is not necessary to weigh in more than once per day of racing. Rowers shall be weighed in racing uniform (minimally shorts and a T-shirt or a unitard) without shoes or other footgear. 

9.5  Coxswains. The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta does not require coxswains to weigh in.

10. ON THE RIVER: THE COURSE, LAUNCHING SITES AND TRAFFIC PATTERNS

10.1  The racing course, separated from the east bank (Kelly Drive) side of the Schuylkill River by a single, continuous line of buoys from start to finish, will be rowed DOWNRIVER (SOUTHWARDS) IN THE CENTER. The start will be at the 1900-meter mark below the Twin Bridges and the finish will be about 400 meters below the Girard Avenue Bridge.

10.2  The racing course will pass through a designated arch at each bridge. These arches will be prominently marked on each side by large buoys. Failure to pass through any designated arch will incur a significant time penalty. Periodic large buoys will also mark the outer limits of the WEST side of the racing course. Rowing outside of these buoys will also incur a time penalty. Additionally, marker buoys will be placed ahead of Peters’ Island and any other fixed obstacles that may be present on or close to the west side of the course, to warn boats to steer inside of them.

10.3  The above racing course descriptions will apply to ALL races in 2024 except the Corporate Challenge.

10.4   Launching Sites for Out-of-Town Boats. While a few visiting boats may have negotiated guest boating arrangements with one or more of the local rowing clubs on Boathouse Row or PAR, the major launching site for out-of-town boats arriving by trailer will be on the east bank of the Schuylkill River at the Three Angels Statues, below the Columbia Avenue Railroad Bridge. The site is accessed southbound on Kelly Drive. The Regatta Headquarters, vending, food concessions, Regatta Information, hospitality and award ceremonies will all be located in this area throughout both days of racing.

There is also limited parking in the area of the East Park Canoe House; crews may launch from the Canoe House public dock (Temple U) and return to the public dock below the Gillin Boat House.  HOSR regatta competitor and spectator services at this site will be limited to careful management of access and available parking, and the provision of some temporary toilet facilities.

10.5  The row up to the start for ALL BOATS is upstream along the EAST (Kelly Drive) bank, keeping to the EAST of the single, continuous buoy line all the way. DO NOT STRAY ONTO THE RACE COURSE or you will be automatically disqualified.

10.6  The row back for Boathouse Row starters is straight back to the boathouses from the finish. The row back for the Three Angels Statues and Canoe Club starters is upstream along the EAST BANK.  The row back for the Adaptive crews launching from PAR is upstream along the WEST BANK.

10.7  With the exception of adaptive boats launching from PAR on Martin Luther King Drive just below Columbia Bridge, NO BOATS whatsoever will row upstream on the WEST SIDE of the river, on pain of automatic disqualification. As safety necessitates, race referees in launches will monitor and escort adaptive boats on their way to the start line and returning to their launching site.

10.8  In the interest of SAFETY on the water, the above traffic patterns will be in force for ALL boats, whether rowed, sculled or paddled, and including launches, from 10:00AM on Friday, October 25th through the end of racing on Sunday, October 27th. CAREFULLY REVIEW THE COURSE MAP on this website. The map also will be available at registration.

11. EQUIPMENT

11.1  Every boat racing in the HOSR must display the correct bow marker assigned to it at on-site registration for the race in question. The marker must be fixed to the bow so that the entire marker is clearly visible on both sides. The bow-most occupant of every boat, and all stern-seated coxswains, must also display the exact matching back marker, pre-affixed to the layer of apparel in which they intend to race. Boats without a bow number or with an incorrect bow number will receive a penalty.

11.2  (USRowing Rule 3-105) Every boat shall have a supple or plastic ball, of white or fluorescent color, firmly attached and mounted on its bow, unless equivalent provision for visibility and protection against puncture injury is included in the boat’s basic construction.  The bowball shall be at least 4 cm in diameter.  

11.3  (USRowing Rule 3-108)  In all boats, the foot stretchers, shoes or other devices holding the feet of the Rowers shall be a type which allows the Rowers to get clear of the boat with not delay.  Where shoes or other devices holding the feet will remain in the boat, each shoe or device shall be independently restrained such that the heel will not lift more than three inches (7.5 cm) above the foot board to which it is anchored.  

11.4  (USRowing Rule 3-109) A boat in which the body of the coxswain is enclosed or partially enclosed within the hull of the boat shall conform to the following requirements: The opening through which the coxswain enters and exits shall be at least 2.30 feet (70 cm.) long when measured along the longitudinal axis of the boat. For a length of at least 1.64 feet (50 cm.), the opening shall be as wide as the inner hull of the boat itself. The inner surface within which the coxswain’s body rests shall be smooth and free of any obstacles, devices, or other structures that would hinder quick exit.

11.5  Classification Of Adaptive And Trainer Shells

Class 1 boats are 19 ft. 0 in. maximum length, 40 lbs. Minimum weight. Example: Alden Ocean Shell.

Class 2 boats are 22 ft. 0 in. maximum length, 38 lbs. Minimum weight. Examples: WinTech 21, Maas Aero, Alden Star.

Class 3 boats are 25 ft. 2 in. maximum length, 38 lbs. Minimum weight. Examples: WinTech 24, Maas 24, Vespoli Comp.

A one-person shell that is longer than 25 ft. 2 in. or that weighs less than 38 lbs. will be considered to be a conventional racing single.

Length is measured bow to stern, along the deck, excluding the bow ball, if fitted. Weight is measured on a dry, fully rigged boat, excluding oars, electronics, safety and personal gear.

Adaptive athletes utilizing straps are hereby advised that only Velcro closures are acceptable; and that if more than one strap is required, all straps must open and close in the same direction to facilitate quick release in an emergency. Furthermore, adaptive shells using stabilizing pontoons will be required to demonstrate, once launched, that both pontoons are simultaneously in touch with the water.

12. LAUNCHING, MARSHALING AND STARTING

12.1  Attention all rowers and coaches: it is our aim to start all boats, in every event, on time and in strict bow-number order. We request your help and cooperation in achieving this.

12.3  Unless otherwise officially informed by the chief referee or Regatta Headquarters, all boats should assume that the regatta is running on time and in accordance with the pre-published schedule of events. Updates will be posted on Twitter and Facebook.

12.4  All boats, from whatever launching site, must launch in time to report to the marshals above Strawberry Mansion Bridge, and to be marshaled by them, and other marshals on the way up to the start line, no later than 10 minutes before the scheduled start time for their event. We will be enforcing launch times from event start time as follows: 40 minutes if you launch from Boathouse Row, 30 minutes if launching from Angels, and 15 minutes from the Canoe Club.

12.5  To help achieve a well organized start for each event, all boats leaving the Angels Docks for their race shall launch in bow number order. So if you are standing in line at the dock to launch with a higher bow number than a boat behind you, please let it pass.

12.6  Immediately above Strawberry Mansion Bridge and up to a point below the Twin Bridges, you are in the marshaling area for the start. Marshals may temporarily hold boats with higher bow numbers to let boats with lower bow numbers go up-river. Please work with the marshals, acting promptly as and when requested. Our goal is that by the time boats for each race turn and enter the down-river starting chute they will be – as much as possible – in correct racing order.

12.7  Once an event has started, boats from previous events or any other boats that are late to the start line will be permitted to start, but will have to wait at the top of the river until called down to the starting chute by the marshals or referees.

13. SAFETY

13.1  In addition to adherence by all boats to the on-water traffic pattern (see Section 9) we have two requirements to enhance race day safety.

First, if any boat capsizes or loses one or more of its occupants, said affected occupant(s) will be given a medical examination and the affected boat will not race in that race.

Second, all high school boats, and all freshman and/or novice boats must be under the supervision of a responsible adult who validates that all athletes concerned can swim, and have appropriate boat-handling and racing skills for participating in a major regatta. DOWNLOAD OUR SAFETY PLAN PDF HERE.

14. STEERING AND AVOIDING INTERFERENCE DURING YOUR RACE

14.1  Steering the course and avoiding interference. In addition to racing from start to finish as fast as possible, an important part of head racing is the equal challenge of skillfully steering down the prescribed racing course with maximum advantage to your own boat. While doing so you are expected to make a positive effort to avoid undue interference with other boats that you are overtaking, or that are overtaking you. The Head of the Schuylkill racing course includes boundaries marked with buoys, natural or buoyed bends in the river, and choke points such as bridge arches. Errors of steering and/or undue interference (both defined below) render your boat liable to time penalties (also defined below).

14.2  Successful steering involves skill, planning, constant alertness, concern for safety, sportsmanship, and tactical adjustment to conditions on the river, as well as to situations caused by other boats as your boat moves down the course. While staying within the boundaries of the racing course, each boat is at liberty to decide the line that it considers will provide it with the best tactical advantage, provided that such a line does not interfere with the fair progress of other boats.

14.3  Guidance for non-coxed boats: If you are rowing in a single scull, or in the bow seat of a pair, double or quad, successful steering and incident avoidance involves constant awareness not only of what is happening behind your boat, but also what is developing up ahead. It is therefore just as important to take frequent looks over each shoulder to analyze what is happening ahead of you as it is to monitor what is happening alongside and astern of you, and to adjust your boat’s positioning and pace accordingly. In team boats, good communication and coordinated action between you and your partner or crewmates is key to steering a clean and optimal course.

14.4  Guidance for coxed boats: In all coxed boats, it is obviously the responsibility of the coxswain to determine what line the boat should take, to constantly analyze the situation that is developing up ahead as well as alongside the boat, and to make steering and tactical adjustments accordingly. In stern-coxed boats such as eights and some fours, the stroke-seat rower has the responsibility to inform the coxswain of a boat that is moving up behind into potential overtaking position (see Rule 14.5 below) or when, after successfully overtaking a boat, it is a safe option for the coxswain to cut in front of that boat. In bow-coxed boats such as many fours the bow-seat rower has the identical responsibilities.

14.5  Definition of Overtaking. A boat is deemed to be overtaking another boat when it has moved to within one boat length of open water of the boat being overtaken. An overtaking boat has the right of way to pass on the side of its choice, if a safe pass can be accomplished. A boat being overtaken must yield as soon as possible to the overtaking boat, with the aim of completing the yield by the time the overtaking boat has closed to within one half of a boat length.

14.6   Errors of undue interference and consequent penalties:

(a) It is the duty of the boat being overtaken to assess the line being steered by the overtaking boat and to move safely out of its way as soon as possible. Failure to yield in sufficient time, as judged by a course umpire, constitutes undue interference and incurs a penalty of 30 seconds to the boat being overtaken, unless at the point in question there is no clear and safe option to move out of the way within the bounds of the racing course, because of a fixed obstruction (such as a bridge abutment or course-marker buoy) and/or the placement of other boats immediately ahead of, or alongside of, the boat being overtaken.

(b) It is the duty of an overtaking boat to pass by one or more other boats without compromising the ability of all the boats being overtaken to stay within the marked bounds of the racing course. If overtaking happens at a bend in the course, it is normally but not necessarily assumed that the overtaking boat has the right to steer the inside line at the bend in question. However, at no point on the course is an overtaking boat allowed to resort to intimidating tactics to get by another boat that cannot safely move out of the way. If a course umpire observes such behavior, the overtaking boat will be assessed a 30-second penalty for undue interference.

14.7  Guidance for all overtaking boats: Seasoned and tactically prudent head-racing scullers and crews are the ones that remember that it is often more costly to press forward in a high-risk situation that results in interference than to slow down temporarily and wait for the right moment to execute a successful pass.

14.8  Unsportsmanlike conduct in overtaking situations. If undue interference by any boat is compounded by excessive rudeness or foul language, a course umpire witnessing such conduct may assess the boat in question a minimum penalty of 60 seconds.

15. APPEALS

15.1  An objection regarding a perceived incident occurring during racing must be registered with an on-water marshal at the finish line by the boat that considers itself aggrieved as soon as possible after finishing its race before it returns to its launching point.

15.2  Within one hour after landing, the crew with an objection must go to Regatta Headquarters at the Three Angels festival site to fill out a formal written protest with the Chief Referee or his/her designate. A $50.00 fee, refundable if the protest is upheld, must be deposited. Regatta Headquarters will research the incident and the Chief Referee or his/her designate will render a decision as soon as possible thereafter.

15.3  Questions regarding a published race result should be lodged in person with Regatta Headquarters located at the Three Angels launching area (NOT with the start line or finish line personnel) as soon as possible.

16. RESULTS AND AWARDS

16.1  For gold, silver and bronze medals to be awarded, a minimum of three entries is required for each event or subcategory. The regatta committee may combine or cancel events or sub categories of events at its sole discretion.  If events or sub categories are combined, a continuous handicap may be applied.

16.2  As soon as possible after each event we will post its provisional results at the HereNow website. The results of each event will become official for the purpose of the award of medals (see Rule 17.3. below) as soon as all reported related infractions and disputes have been investigated and resolved.

16.3  Medal collection and photo opportunities. A formal awards ceremony schedule shall be determined.  While we encourage you to attend the ceremony for your event(s), medalists in events that have been cleared of all disputes and issues are permitted to collect their awards throughout each day of racing from the Awards Desk in the Festival Tent at the Three Angels. Locations and times are subject to change based upon safety protocols.

16.4  Points Trophies. The HOSR offers four points trophy competitions, for the High School, College, Open and Masters divisions and sub categories of the regatta. Within each competition, there are trophies for the highest-scoring organization overall, as well as in the men’s and women’s events.

16.5  The points trophy scoring formula is three points per winning boat, two points per second-place boat, and one point per third-place boat. In the event of a dead heat for first, second or third place in any race, the available point(s) will be divided equally between the tying boats.

16.6  The performance of composite boats (those that contain members of more than one organization) will not be included in the computation of the points trophies; nor will the performance of “unaffiliated” single scullers.

16.7  Following the regatta, all results will be rechecked for accuracy before being declared final. Final results will be posted on HereNow and RegattaCentral websites, and will also be accessible through a link on the HOSR web site.

17. REGATTA DELAY OR CANCELLATION

17.1  The HOSR will make every prudent effort to hold all advertised races as closely as possible to the published schedule, provided that prevailing conditions, even if challenging, still allow for safety and fairness for all involved. However, we regret that in the event the regatta should be cancelled, whether in whole or in part, there will be NO REFUNDS and no credits toward future HOSR Regattas.