RULES
The Do ’ s and Don ’ ts
Make sure you read the full set of Navigation Rules during racing and general info for the regatta . Note that while many of these rules are applicable to both the RMB Buffalo Regatta and the Selborne Sprints , there are a number of differences , hence we are publishing both events ’ full sets of Navigation Rules here . Please consult the rules applicable to your club or team .
The RMB Buffalo Regatta Navigation Rules
1 Regatta Format
1 . The RMB Buffalo Regatta consists of six lane sprint racing over 1000 and 2000 meters .
2 . The provisional schedule for the regatta is as follows :
• 8 th February ( 06h00 to 18h30 ) – Junior Heats and Finals , as per the Order of Events
• 10 th February ( 06h00 to 18h30 ) – Senior Junior Heats and All Finals , as per the Order of Events
Note : Finals will start 20 min after the last heat
3 . Rope held starts may be used .
2 Local Rules
1 . Except as detailed below , the RowSA Rules of Racing apply . 2 . No junior , apart from coxes , may be entered in a Senior event .
3 . No composite crews are permitted , including coxes , except for Masters Events .
4 . Progression to the Finals will be in accordance with Rule A2 : Rules of Progression for an Eight Lane Course , contained in the Rules of Racing issued by Rowing South Africa , effective from 10 August 2017 , curtailed to Six lanes .
5 . In view of the length of the programme , the Organising Committee reserves the right to combine races of similar boat classes , where the number of entries allows . In the event of combined races , each class of boat will compete for medals in its class .
6 . In order to run on time , inexperienced crews causing significant delays during alignment will be disqualified .
7 . In the event of two heats converting to a straight final due to scratching , the combined heat must race at the time of the heat as a time trial ( then decide if they will still row the final ).
8 . All heats should be raced for time . ( Two years in a row , we have had to use these times due the thunderstorms causing a stoppage of the programme .)
9 . A traditional random lane draw will be conducted for the Grand Challenge and the Silver Sculls ’ Finals . This public draw will take place at Regatta Control , 10 minutes after the last Heat has been rowed on Saturday morning . The draw will be conducted as follows :
• The athletes who qualify to race in the Finals of the Grand Challenge and the Silver Sculls events , following the progression rules to the final , will have their lane physically drawn against a lane number to determine their lane allocations . This will be a public draw and coaches and athletes may be present at the time of the draw .
• In the events of heats , the draw for the finals will be undertaken 6 hours after the completion of the last heat for each event . Progression from the heats will be interims of the Rules of Racing for 8 lanes curtailed for a 6 lane course . The draw will be to determine the lane allocations .
3 Navigation Rules during Racing
1 . Boats may only be launched from the jetties .
2 . Boats must be launched on the West bank with their bows pointing up-river .
3 . All boats must proceed to the start against the West Bank ( Clubhouse bank ) and must remain on this side until they reach the 1500-metre mark . At the 1500-metre mark , crews must move across the course to the East Bank and proceed to the 2000-metre start . Crews may only cross the course when it is safe to do so . It is strictly forbidden for any crew to move up-river against the West Bank between the 1500 and 2000 meter marks .
4 . An umpire zone between the 2000-metre start line and the 2075-metre mark is for the exclusive use of the umpire and the crews entered in the race under his / her control . The marshalling zone will be between the 2075-metre and the 2150-metre marks . The designated warm-up area is beyond the 2150-metre mark . During warm-up in the warm-up zone , crews are to circulate moving upriver against the East Bank ( City Side ) and down-river against the West Bank ( Clubhouse Side ) i . e . anti-clockwise circulation .
5 . Any crew required to return to the jetties during the regatta and which is not part of a race may only do so under the permission and instruction of a regatta umpire . The returning crew must utilise racing lane 6 in between races to move safely to the finish line .
6 . Crews reaching the finish line and intending to return to the jetties must proceed through the Steve Biko Bridge between the pylons before turning towards the West Bank . IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN FOR ANY BOAT TO TURN IN FRONT OF THE BRIDGE . Crews moving up-river towards the jetties must pass under the Steve Biko Bridge between the West Bank and the bridge pylon .
For umpire and marshaling zones see Rule 3.4 above
12 RMB Buffalo Regatta 2024