1. APPLICABILITY OF INTERNATIONAL RULES 1 RULES OF COMPETITION ROWING All Rowing Racing will be conducted according to FISA rules. Where they differ from the GPS Rowing Rules of Competition then the latter will apply. 2. COURSE 2.1 The course for the Head of the River Regatta shall be a venue determined by the GPS Association. Where possible the rowing course will be buoyed. 3. RACING 3.1 All racing will be conducted by Boat Race Officials as approved by the GPS Association. 4. WEIGHT OF 1 ST VIII COXSWAIN 4.1 All 1 st VIII coxswains will be weighed 1 to 2 hours prior to the start of the 1 st VIII race. The minimum weight of coxswain shall be 55kg. 4.2 The race can only be declared all clear once the boat race officials have sighted the weights of the winning coxswain, should he be required to carry them. 5. SEEDING 2 5.1 The Championships races at the Head of the River shall be seeded, with the bestperforming crews at four nominated regattas prior to the Head of the River occupying the middle lanes, except in weather conditions deemed to be unfair by the fairness committee (See Rule 11). 5.1.1 The lane allocation for all first rotation races at lead up regattas shall be by random draw. The second rotation races will be raced as a mirror image of the first rotation. 5.1.2 Seeding is to be conducted on a buoyed, still water course using the results of each race at the four nominated regattas. 5.1.3 The one worst race result of each crew will be disregarded in the seeding. This worst result may include a no result. 5.2 Seeding points will be allocated to crews using the same system as the Old Boys Cup points allocation. 5.3 Where crews are tied on points, the best performing crew will be determined on a count back system based on placings. 1 Update to format of Rules November 2008 2 GPS Headmasters Meeting 18 August 2008. Revised Seeding Rule. Rowing Rules of Competition Version dated 29 January 2009 Page 1 of 8
6. DISTANCE 6.1 Race distance shall be over the following distances but the boat race officials have the power to shorten races for safety reasons. OPEN VIII s Yr 11 (Under 16) VIII s Yr 10 (Under 15) QUAD SCULLS 2000 metres 2000 metres 1500 metres 7. AGES/ CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION 7.1 In the calendar year, a boy who turns 19 is ineligible to compete. 7.2 3Students are eligible to take part as members of their year group. Teams will be graded as their year group and division e.g. (Yr) 8A, 8B, 8C & 8D etc. 7.3 Competition will be conducted in the following age groups/ divisions: Open Yr 11 Yr 10 Junior 7.3.1 The Junior division is for all students in Years 8 or 9 irrespective of their age. 8. GPS ROWING CHAMPIONSHIP 8.1 The GPS Rowing Championship (Old Boys Cup) is awarded at the Head of the River Regatta for the highest point score calculated as follows: For Quad races: For VIII races: 1 st 7 points 1 st 14 points 2 nd 6 points 2 nd 12 points 3 rd 5 points 3 rd 10 points 4 th 1 4 points 4 th 8 points 5 th 3 points 5 th 6 points 6 th 2 points 6 th 4 points 7 th 1 point 7 th 2 points 8.2 Points are awarded to Open and Yr 11 (Under 16) 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd VIII races, and Yr 10 (Under 15)1 st to 6 th Quad races. 8.3 The O Connor Cup is awarded to the winning crew in the Open 1 st VIII race. 3 GPS Headmasters Meeting, 24 October 2008 Rowing Rules of Competition Version dated 29 January 2009 Page 2 of 8
9. GENERAL 9.1 A competitor must be a student of a GPS school in years 8 to 12, be nominated by that GPS school, and may compete in any event in which he is eligible. 9.2 All members of a crew shall be dressed in accordance with the registered colours of the school. Crews not adhering to dress codes can be disqualified from competing. 9.3 Notice of crew changes must be given to the regatta committee at least half an hour prior to the scheduled start of that race. 9.4 Lead-up Regattas 4 9.4.1 The GPS lead up regatta season will consist of 6 regattas prior to the GPS Championships. 9.4.2 A different school will nominate to host each of the 6 regattas. 9.4.3 Wherever possible dates for meets will be set and confirmed as part of the overall scheduling of the GPS Calendar (one year ahead). 9.4.4 The order of regattas for the following season is ratified by rowing masters at the end of each competitive season. 9.4.5 Regattas will generally start at 8.00am and conclude at approximately 12.30pm on a Saturday. 9.4.6 The Host School will set the date deadline for other schools to advise of their intention to participate in the lead up event. (It is suggested that schools nominate a closing date one week prior to the agreed date of the meet, and a date for Withdrawal Without Penalty). 9.4.7 Schools are to nominate by the closing date as advised by the Host School. 9.4.8 All withdrawals must be in writing. 9.4.9 The costs for conducting the lead-up meet (ie. venue hire and first aid.) will be paid by the Host School. 9.5 If a crew wishes to withdraw from a race, notice thereof shall be given by a representative of the school concerned, not later than 30 minutes before the starting time of the race, to the regatta committee who shall record such withdrawal. 9.6 No composite crew (ie a crew made up of members of more than one school) shall be eligible to compete. 9.7 All competing schools must be members of The GPS Association of Queensland Inc. 9.8 Hosting schools have the responsibility to provide First Aid 5 at every regatta, for its entirety. Regattas held at venues away from close local facilities must have an ambulance in attendance. 4 GPS Sport and Activities Committee 21 July 2008 5 GPS Headmasters Meeting 20 August 2007 Rowing Rules of Competition Version dated 29 January 2009 Page 3 of 8
9.9 A school must qualify each boat for the Head of the River Regatta by rowing in at least three previous races in the respective division (ie age group and level). 10. EQUIPMENT 10.1 The construction, design and dimensions of boats and oars shall in principle be unrestricted. 10.2 The bows of all boats shall be fitted with a white ball 4cm in diameter in soft rubber or similar material unless the bow is so constructed as to afford equivalent protection and visibility. 10.3 No wireless transmission equipment shall be used, whether for sending or receiving. 10.4 The edge of blades must have a minimum thickness throughout as follows: Oars 5 millimetres Sculls 3 millimetres 10.5 All foot stretchers or shoes must allow the rowers to get clear of the boat without using their hands in the event of capsize. 10.6 Bow numbers are required at the Head of the River Regatta for all Championship races only. 11. PROTESTS 6 11.1 Protests concerning the status of a competitor to participate in a regatta must be made prior to the commencement of such a regatta, to the GPS Executive Officer. A decision will be made prior to the Regatta. 11.2 Protests relating to matters which develop during the carrying through of the program should be made at once, and not later than fifteen (15) minutes after the result has been officially announced. The GPS Executive Officer will be responsible for ensuring that the time of the announcement of all results is recorded. 11.2.1 Any protest shall in the first instance be made orally to the GPS Executive Officer by the Rowing Master or Director of Sport and Activities of the School, and within fifteen (15) minutes of the announcement of the race results, supported in writing on the GPS Protest Form to be lodged with the GPS Executive Officer. 11.2.2 Any protest shall be determined by the Protest Committee which shall comprise the Chair of the GPS Rowing Sub-Committee and two Directors of Sport and Activities of Schools not involved in the protest. Where the protest involves the School of the GPS Rowing Sub-Committee Chair, the GPS Rowing Sub-Committee Chair will be replaced on the Protest Committee by the GPS Executive Officer. The Director of Sport and Activities will represent his/ her school on any protest before the Protest Committee. 6 GPS Sport and Activities Committee Meeting 4 February 2008 Rowing Rules of Competition Version dated 29 January 2009 Page 4 of 8
11.2.3 Final results will not be announced and no trophy presented until the GPS Executive Officer announces the result of the protest. 11.3 Protest Forms can be obtained from the GPS Executive Officer on the day of competition (form as attached). 12. FAIRNESS and ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS 7 12.1 Provisions to be applied when unfair weather conditions prevail at the Head of the River are set out in the following rules and the Fairness Committee shall decide when they should apply. The Fairness Committee shall be made up of the Regatta Referee, the GPS Executive Officer, Chair of the GPS Rowing Sub-Committee and two members of the GPS Rowing Sub-Committee (these shall be the two Rowing MIC s from the schools hosting the two previous lead-up regattas). Alternative programs in cases of Adverse Weather Conditions 8 It is the duty of the Fairness Committee to determine that the weather has created, or is about to create, unfair or unrowable conditions. It is then the Fairness Committee s responsibility to advise the GPS Headmasters Management Committee on the appropriate program to be implemented from the alternatives described below. In considering these alternatives the Fairness Committee will always consider (12.1. 1-.3) before considering (12.1. 4-6). 12.1.1 To use the lanes offering the most equal conditions. 12.2.2 To delay the racing program to later in the same day (up to a maximum of 2 hours) if the weather forecast indicates that the conditions are likely to improve. 12.2.3 To re-allocate the lanes for each individual race, using the seeding allocation to put the crews with the better seeding results in the better lanes. 12.2.4 To reduce the length of races to no less than 1,000m where conditions are so adverse that no other alternative is possible. 12.2.5 Postpone the regatta to a previously agreed back up date. 12.2.6 To cancel the event. An alternative program will be established for the Head of the River prior to the date in case of inclement weather. The GPS Headmasters Management Committee will, after advice from the Fairness Committee, make a decision on the format for the possible continuation of the regatta or its cancellation. 7 GPS Headmasters Meeting, 26 October 2007 modified wording since meeting to be considered by Headmasters for approval. (Adapted from FISA and RA Rules 57 64). 8 GPS Rowing Sub-Committee 8 September 2008; GPS Headmasters Meeting, 24 October 2008 Rowing Rules of Competition Version dated 29 January 2009 Page 5 of 8
13. AMENDMENTS TO RULES OF COMPETITION 13.1 No amendment to these Rules of Competition is authorised unless such amendment is issued by the Executive Officer of the Association. Rowing Rules of Competition Version dated 29 January 2009 Page 6 of 8
PROTEST FORM HEAD OF THE RIVER DATE: / / EVENT NO. AND DESCRIPTION:... SCHOOL:... LANE:... EVENT TIME:... PROTESTING AGAINST:... DETAILS:.. SIGNED: MIC Signature SPORT & ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR Signature Time Received: Decision: Upheld Overturned Rowing Rules of Competition Version dated 29 January 2009 Page 7 of 8
RATIONALE FOR DECISION:...... SIGNED: CHAIR of PROTEST PANEL Signature SPORT & ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR Signature SPORT & ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR Signature Rowing Rules of Competition Version dated 29 January 2009 Page 8 of 8