There are several things you need to know about regattas. The process is long but simple and once you have all the information, it's easy.
Eligibility
To enter regattas and race for Melbourne Rowing Club, all members of your crew must be paid-up financial members, either Senior or Student status. If you are not sure of your status, you can check with the Club Secretary.
You must also pre-pay your regatta entry and transport fees (see below). Your coach, squad leader or member of your crew must collect these fees and submit them with the entry for the entire crew. Payment can be made via credit card, direct bank transfer, or cheque, as detailed on the Regatta Entry Form.
Submitting entries for a regatta
First you should check what events are available at the regatta. Make sure all members of the crew are available, financial and willing to compete, because entry will incur costs, and crew members will need to reserve most of the day for the regatta activities. You also need to be sure that the crew members are eligible to race in that particular event (you can check eligibility information on the web at the Rowing Victoria website).
When you are sure of the event you wish your crew to enter, download and complete the Regatta Entry Form. This form should then be emailed to the Regatta Entries Co-ordinator.
Regatta fees
Participating in regattas usually attracts an entry fee, per 'seat', which is paid for by the rower. This means there is one seat fee for every rowing member of a crew (not the coxswain). That is, there is one seat fee for a single scull, 2 seat fees for a pair or double scull, 4 seat fees for a four or quad scull, and so on. The fees vary between $8 and $20 depending on the regatta, but most are under $15.
Regatta entry fees are now paid for by completing a Standing Payment Authority with MRC. For more information please read the Regatta Entries Process notes.
Boat transport costs
There are some regattas held on the Yarra River, but most are held at venues where travel is involved. In these cases all boats travelling to a regatta need to be transported on a trailer. Transport costs usually cover fuel and any other expenses associated with towing boats and oars to regattas. At MRC we charge transport costs per seat. The more races you are in, the more boats are transported for you, and therefore the greater the share of the transport cost. Transport costs are calculated based on past regattas, and are pre-paid with regatta fees.
Regatta Entries are submitted to Rowing Victoria (RV) using an RV-issued custom software program. This program contains membership data and is operated by club officials. Members must therefore submit their regatta entries to the club's Regatta Entries Coordinator, who then uses the RV software to upload entries to RV.
As a result of this system, the internal MRC regatta entry deadline is always 4-5 days prior to the RV published deadline.
How To Enter
There are two simple rules for those wishing to enter a regatta:
1) All members of the crew must be fully paid up Senior or Student Members of the club (coxswains can be Senior, Student, or Coxswain Members). Patrons and Life Members are also eligible as long as they have paid their RV affiliation fees.
2) Regatta entry and transport fees must be pre-paid (for the entire crew) by credit card, direct bank transfer or cheque.
Download the Regatta Entry Form and submitted by email to the Regatta Entries Co-ordinator. If you are paying by cheque, the cheque details must be entered in the form, and the cheque must be submitted to the 'Regatta Entries' box at the club (NOT to the Club Mailbox).
Boat loading and unloading
Loading and unloading boats from the trailer for 'away' regattas requires some effort and preparation. Boats are loaded onto the trailer before it leaves MRC, unloaded at the regatta, reloaded when the regatta is over, and unloaded back at the MRC sheds. Boat loading and unloading is supervised by the Regatta Co-ordinator.
Loading involves removing the riggers from the boat, taping them together and labeling them for easy identification. The seats in the boat are secured either by a seat tie (available in newer boats) or by tying the seat down with a foot stretcher. In some cases the seats are removed and stacked into the trailer. Oars are also loaded onto the trailer for each boat that is travelling to a regatta. Boat loading before a regatta is normally the evening before the regatta, but will vary with the distance to travel. Boat loading at the regatta can commence as soon as a boat is not needed for any more races.
Boat unloading involves attaching the riggers to the boat, checking the seats are secure and locating the oars for each boat. Boat unloading at the regatta can commence as soon as the trailer arrives. When the trailer returns to MRC, boat unloading should be completed as soon as possible so everyone can get home for a well-earned shower!
Boat loading and unloading must each be attended by at least half of the crew members, coxswain excluded. This is mandatory, as many hands make light work. Single scullers must attend both loading and unloading.
Rigging equipment
It is essential that every member equip themselves with a 10mm and 11mm spanner for their own personal use. Shifting wrenches are also useful. Other good items for the member's own personal toolkit include a tape measure, a Phillips head screwdriver and a flathead screwdriver. A bumbag is also useful, as the tools can be slung around the hips whilst rigging and unrigging, ensuring the tools are easily accessible and not lost.
Racing uniform
All members must compete in the MRC zoot suit. Zoot suits can be ordered from Simply Oarsome, and may require 4-6 weeks depending on the time of year.
Anything else worn by crew members must be identical within the crew. Hats are not mandatory, but must be matching if they are worn. T-shirts or long sleeves under a zoot suit are allowed, but again must be all identical. The only exception is the coxswain who may wear long sleeves or pants under their zootie for added weather protection.
MRC has a selection of club merchandise available from hats, t-shirts to hoodies.
At The Regatta
The crew coach will advise a plan for the day at the regatta, but there are some things to consider to ensure you are well-prepared.
Sunscreen
Mandatory, no matter how cloudy or cool the day may seem.
Food and water
Ensure you are carrying at least 2 litres of water with you. Hydration is extremely important, and when the weather is hot, you may require twice this amount of fluid to ensure you avoid dehydration and performance degradation.
It is also important to fuel up for the race, with drinks or snacks that are low in fat, but with ready energy sources. Good suggestions include: sports drinks, bananas, banana-honey sandwiches, low-fat muesli bars or fruit bars, low-fat muffins. Lollies will give you a quick fix, but an equally quick fail if the energy is consumed, so try to choose a snack with a more complex carbohydrate in it.
Bow numbers
Every boat competing in a race carries a bow number inserted in the bow, adjacent to the bow ball. The bow number can normally be collected within 45 minutes of the start of the event, and should be returned immediately after the race is over. Typically the bow number attracts a $10 fully refundable deposit.
On the water
You should aim to be on the water with enough time to warm up, row up to the start area, and be ready for marshalling to the start 5 minutes before the race. You normally need to allow around 25 minutes, depending on the course and the weather conditions.
At the start area
You need to be in the start area at least 5 minutes before the start of your race. When the Marshall calls you to the start line, you should listen very carefully to the official instructions and only do as the officials say. It is the job of the bow seat and 2 seat rowers to 'tap the boat' along to line up at the start or to maneouver the boat into position.
At the finish area
After your race, have a quick mouthful of fluid and return to the MRC trailer as efficiently as possible, for a post-mortem with your coach.
Make sure you return your bow number.
Happy racing!
