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WA Beach Sprint Regattas Racing Guide


Welcome to the WA Beach Sprint Regattas!


This guide provides a concise overview of the competition rules, race format, and safety requirements to ensure a successful and enjoyable regatta for all competitors. Please familiarise yourself with these details prior to participating.

Here are some good links to get some more information:

Key Sections


1. Safety and Health of Rowers

  • Personal Responsibility:
    • Ensure you are in a state of health and fitness appropriate for competition.
    • Basic swimming ability is essential: you must be able to swim 50 metres and tread water or keep your head above water unassisted for 3 minutes.
  • Organisers’ Role:
    • The regatta committee will provide safe rowing conditions and appropriate safety measures.
    • However, ultimate responsibility for competing safely rests with you and your team officials.

2. Boat Classes

  • Solo (C1x): Single rower in a coastal sculling boat.
  • Double (C2x): Two rowers in a coastal double scull.
  • All boats will conform to standardised measurements that will not change throughout the regatta.

3. Race Format and Course Characteristics

Race Course Overview:
  • The race course is 500 metres in total length.
  • Crews complete a 180-degree turn at the 250-metre mark.
  • Each lane includes three buoys:
    • First buoy: 85 metres from the water’s edge.
    • Second buoy: A further 85 metres out.
    • Third buoy: A further 80 metres out.
  • The buoys are placed in a straight line, forming a slalom layout.
Race Format:
  1. Crews sprint from the beach to their boats.
  2. Once in their boats, competitors row in a slalom pattern around each buoy (outward leg).
  3. After rounding the final buoy, crews race straight back to the beach.
  4. At the beach, a crew member disembarks and sprints to the finish line.

Crews must ensure they correctly navigate the buoys on the outward sector, turning them in the correct direction.

4. Roles of Boat Handlers

  • Each team must have a boat handler who:
    • Positions and stabilises the boat at the start line.
    • Assists with entry and exit without providing forward propulsion or any competitive advantage.
  • Violations of these roles may result in time penalties.

5. Beach Finish – Penalty Box

  1. Penalty Box Location:
    • The penalty box will be situated on the beach between the boat disembarkation point and the finish line.
  2. Notification of Penalty:
    • After the runner disembarks from the boat, the Penalty Umpire will inform the runner of the penalty by saying, for example: “Crew (name), Penalty Box, 1 minute.”
  3. Entering the Penalty Box:
    • The runner must enter the penalty box.
    • The Penalty Umpire will begin timing the penalty as soon as the runner is inside.
  4. Exiting the Penalty Box:
    • After the required time, the Penalty Umpire will say: “Crew (name), GO!”
    • At this signal, the runner may leave the penalty box and proceed to the finish line.
Time Penalties for Course Infractions:
  • False start: 30-second penalty.
  • Incorrect slalom navigation (wrong side of a buoy): 30-second penalty.
  • Incorrect navigation of two slalom buoys: Disqualification.
  • Missing a turning buoy: 60-second penalty. Failure to attempt navigation may result in disqualification.

6. Progression System

Preliminary Rounds:
  • All crews will race an initial processional time trial.
  • Crews start one after another at set intervals, racing through their designated lane.
Race Progression:
  • Crews complete the slalom outward leg, a 90-degree turn at the outer buoy, and a straight return through the inbound lane.
  • Crews disembark and sprint to the finish line on the beach.
Passing:
  • If a faster crew catches another, the slower crew must yield to avoid interference.
Elimination and Final Rounds:
  • The objective is to reduce the number of competing crews to eight (8).
  • The final eight compete in head-to-head knockout rounds:
    Quarter-finals (4 races) → Semi-finals (2 races) → Finals.


7. Tips for Competitors

  • Transitions: Practise fast and efficient boat entries and exits.
  • Buoy turns: Plan your slalom navigation for smooth and tight turns.
  • Know the course: Familiarise yourself with the buoy layout and turning points.