BUCS Rowing: 4s and 8s Head

• The event is split across three rowing clubs. Each visiting institution will be allocated a host club and must boat from that club.
• Registration and Race Control will be based at the Newcastle University BC boathouse. There will be race officials at all three venues.
• There will be a coxes and steers briefing held 40 minutes before the first scheduled boating time at each venue. This is not mandatory but it is recommended coxes and steers attend.
• Crews must ensure their blades are near the staging area before taking boats to the stages.
• Crews will require wellington boots for boating.
• Checks may be made by Control Commission before boating. Crews should ensure they have checked their boat before arriving at the boating stages. Be ready to boat when called.
• Crews must ensure they are wearing sufficient clothing for the weather conditions.
• Crews are encouraged to carry a waterproof bag in the boat to keep clothing dry.

The trailer parking plan will be published on Monday 17^th February.  This will provide details of which Institutions will be parking at each of the three sites – Tyne Amateur Rowing Club, Tyne United Rowing club and Newcastle Uni. Boat Club. Each Institution will be responsible for contacting their nominated site – to give details of expected arrival time and departure times.  Please see contact details on the trailer parking instructions and please confirm timings as well as provide your contact details to the club by Wednesday 19^th February.

To allocate coxes to crews a portal has been setup. Authorised Officers of each competing Club are required to register at https://crews.bucsrowing.org.uk/ where they will be granted access to the entries from their own institution and have the ability to allocate Coxes. Access to the system will be granted from 12:00 midday on Friday 14 February (after entries have closed).

Any crews who have not allocated coxes by midnight the night before the crew is due to race will be required to do so at registration on the morning of the event before they can register and collect their race numbers.

Substitutions can be made using  https://crews.bucsrowing.org.uk/ until midnight the day before the crew is due to race. Any substitutions after this time must be made at registration by an authorised Club Official. Any crews not submitting amendments and found to have changed the crew in any way may be disqualified.

Withdrawals on the day of the competition must be done at Registration by the institution rowing club captain or coach. Institutions should advise BUCS in advance if they intend to withdraw. Crews who do not withdraw, and do not compete at the event, will be classified as a ‘no-show’ and charged the entry fee and an additional £20 fine payable by the athletic union or students’ union as detailed in BUCS Regulation 4.4.

If a crew wishes to withdraw they should complete a scratch form at Registration a minimum of 30 minutes before the start of the division race start time. Failure to do so may result in the boat being classed as a ‘no-show’ and the additional fine being imposed, as detailed above.

Competitors should also inform their institution they have withdrawn from the competition.

Boat numbers

Empacher boat numbers will be issued at registration. Boats are required to have suitable fittings to display bow numbers so they can be clearly visible to race marshals. Failure to suitably display your number may result in no time being taken.

Please note that boat numbers should be returned to registration after racing. A fine of £10 will be charged to any Institution not returning their number by the end of the racing day.

Race numbers

Paper race numbers are to be worn on the bow crew member’s back (and cox for stern coxed boats). These should be firmly attached to racing kit and visible. Long hair should be tied up so the number is not obscured.

Competitors should have available a valid student identification card to confirm their eligibility for the competition. These may be requested at registration. Registration will be open from 08:00 on each day.

One representative from each institution is required to attend registration to collect an institution pack including (i) race numbers for the day, (ii) boat numbers for each division and (iii) safety pins.

Institutions should allow time to register before competing and are encouraged to register as soon as they arrive at the venue. Registration will be located downstairs in the Newcastle University Boat Club boathouse.

Institutions who do not register before the boating times will be assumed to be withdrawn.

Lightweight weigh-in will be from two hours before the beginning of the racing day up to one hour prior to the published start time of each division upstairs in the Newcastle University Boat Club boathouse. If racing in more than one lightweight event the competitor need only weigh-in once.

Lightweight crews are not averaged. Crews need to weigh in all together.

All lightweight competitors must produce photo identification at weigh-in.

Coxes do not need to weigh-in for this event.

Safety guidelines are included within the marshalling instructions for crews and coaches.

Coxes and crews must be knowledgeable of boating instructions, the course, their crew’s ability, weather conditions and safety procedures. It is recommended that beginner coxes do not cox beginner crews.

The Organising Committee reserves the right to cancel the event if they consider it too dangerous to proceed.

Competitors are responsible for providing their own food and drink. We encourage the use of water bottles and reusable cups in an attempt to reduce waste on site. Please bring your own bottles / cups / flasks.

There will be hot and cold catering options available at Tyne United RC and Tyne Amateur RC from 07:30 on both days. A breakfast menu (including porridge and hot rolls) will be available followed by a lunch menu (including hot soups and pasta). We encourage competitors to support the host rowing clubs and use the local catering on offer. Drinking water will be available. Please enquire at the clubhouses.

For coach parking; refer to the coach parking directions available on the important documents tab.

For car parking; a public car park is available at Tyne Riverside Country Park, Blayney Row, Newburn NE15 8QD. Spectators and competitors travelling by car are advised to park here.

Parking at each host venue is limited, with boat trailer parking taking priority. Motorists are asked to observe the advice from volunteer marshals, and may not be allowed to park at each host venue if full. Motorists may be advised to park on Newburn Bridge Road. Motorists are advised to approach Newburn Bridge from the south (postcode NE21 4SQ).

At all times motorists should observe the Highway Code and not obstruct access to venues, businesses or private property in case of an emergency. BUCS is not responsible for parking at the host venues.

Presentation of medals will take place at the Newcastle University BC boathouse shortly after the end of racing on each day. Competitors and spectators are encouraged to stay for the presentations and support our medallists.

Changing facilities
Each host rowing club has male and female changing facilities and showers available for competitors. 

Lost & Found
There will be designated lost and found areas at each of the club houses. Please talk to local representatives if you lose items of clothing / equipment etc.

Bag Drop
There will be ‘bag drop’ areas at each of the Tyne Amateur and Tyne United Rowing Clubs – bags will be left at the owner’s risk.

First Aid
Paramedics will be located at Newcastle University BC each day. First aid can be requested at any time by asking a race official or marshal who will radio for assistance.

All BUCS Rowing competitions are governed in accordance with the National Governing Body rules and regulations, unless superseded by a BUCS rule or regulation. The BUCS Rowing rules and regulations should be read in conjunction with the entry and pre-event information. 

There will be a meeting for representatives of all clubs in the Tyne Amateur Rowing Club boathouse – immediately after the presentation ceremony on the Saturday afternoon. The meeting will provide an opportunity for students and coaches to input to discussions about plans for the BUCS regatta, EUSA Rowing Championships 2020, the bidding process for the BUCS Head 2021-2023 and longer term plans for University Rowing. Please see agenda for details.