Information for the Competitors

The Regatta is held under the rules of racing of the West of England Amateur Rowing Association. All competitors must abide by and comply with the British Rowing Water Safety Code. Competitor numbers will be issued from the Regatta Control Point, near the Finish on the St Thomas Bank. A refundable deposit of £10 will be required.

No Parking is permitted on The Quay, the area must re-main completely accessible to pedestrians, trade and emergency vehicles. All towing vehicles and trailers should be removed to nearby car parks or permitted on road parking locations. Police and Traffic Wardens are likely to attend to ensure compliance with the parking regulations. Clubs boating from the mid course slipway must ensure that the Clipper Quay flats (adjacent) remain accessible.

Canoes and other water craft are hired for use on the river. They have been requested to comply with the movement of craft instructions, but are not under compulsion to do so. All competitors and umpires need to remain aware of their presence.

Safety & Emergencies

Following a risk assessment, the instructions detailed will reduce the likelihood of accidents.  All Clubs are to ensure all their competitors are fully briefed, understand the instructions and comply with them.

Boating & Warming up

There is a large static pontoon situated 50 metres upstream of the finish which should be your preferred boating/disembarking point, although the slipway half way along the course will also be available.  Please boat facing upstream, if you intend warming up on the water. Keep to the City bank (starboard / bowside nearest to bank) when progressing upstream, above the Regatta course.  Travel through the bridges using the centre span when progressing upstream and the St Thomas (starboard / bowside) span when returning downstream.  All crews should be aware of weed and shallow water near the upper reaches; this can capsize scullers and coxless pairs so all crews need to take care.

Rowing to the start

A buoyed lane has been provided as a safety zone for boats travelling to the start.  In places the lane will not be wide enough for boats to pass through without blades clipping buoys.  This is deliberate to ensure maximum width racing water and to ensure crews travelling to start do so at an appropriate speed as the starting area  can get congested at peak times.  If you wish to practise racing starts these should be carried out upstream of the finish.  THE LINE OF THREE YELLOW MARKER BOUYS DOWNSTREAM OF THE START MUST NOT BE PASSED AS THERE IS A WEIR APPROXIMATELY 50 METRES DOWNSTREAM OF THESE BOUYS.

Starting Procedure

WEARA Umpires will align boats from the St. Thomas side of the river. Crews should respond to the Umpires’ instructions immediately, especially in windy conditions.  When the Umpire has a fair line the race will be started in accordance with the standard WEARA starting procedures.

Racing Lanes

Butts Ferry which usually operates adjacent to the finish line has been suspended for the day and the ferry wire will be dropped for the Regatta.  This will allow the St Thomas side race lane to be close to the wall and coxes / crews can safely cross the finishing line without fear of obstruction.  There is ample room for 3 eights to race this course without conflict with the safety lane buoys, provided the crews on St Thomas station maintain their position. Umpires will be at Mid-Course to ensure this happens.

Water Safety

The water safety cover will be provided by the Haven Banks Outdoor Centre. They will have a launch positioned beside the canal entrance. They will have a radio so as to be in direct communication with the Regatta Secretary in the Regatta Control Point. 

The ERC Safety Adviser may inspect boats for bow balls, heel restraints, buoyancy compartments and general state of repair before the craft are permitted on the water.  HOWEVER, IT HAS TO BE RECOGNISED THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY CLUB TO ENSURE THAT BOATS ARE FIT FOR RACING AND COMPLY WITH ALL THE ROW SAFE / BR GUIDELINES.  All Clubs will be required to sign a document to this effect before racing.

All competitors are reminded of capsize drills and the requirement for the crew to remain with the capsized boat at all times. In the case of an incident, an announcement will be made over the public address system and racing must cease until the all clear is given.

CITY OF EXETER REGATTA

SATURDAY 8th JULY 2023

EMERGENCY AND SAFETY INFORMATION

Regatta Control is beside Piazza Terracina, on the St Thomas side of the River Exe.

Regatta Organiser is Lorna Tinkler 07375226215

Regatta Secretary is Lisa Simpson who will be at Regatta Control throughout the Event via radio

Regatta Control is Lisa Cocks 07974414789

First Aid & Emergency Services

The Regatta First Aid Point is situated near to the Regatta Control Point on the Piazza Terracina.  First Aid cover for the day will be provided by a team from Devon Essential Medical Services. They will have their non-transport ambulance positioned on the St. Thomas side of the River on the Piazza Terracina which is very close to the Regatta Control point.

Emergency Services telephone number, including air ambulance, is 999.  Nearest Accident Emergency Department is at The Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, Wonford, Dryden Road, Exeter.  Tel No: 01392 403433.

In the event of an ambulance having to be called, access to The Quay area will be via one of two ways. For an incident on the North side of the River (the City side), the ambulance will arrive via Commercial Road. For an incident on the South side of the River (the St. Thomas side), then the route will be via Haven Road and across the Piazza Terracina.

Accident Procedure (Personal injury)

In the event of a personal injury accident, the Safety Officer for the day, can be contacted at the Regatta Control Point, they should be contacted by radio will then oversee casualty management and liaise with First Aid. This should not prevent the casualty from seeking first aid assistance from the designated First Aid point if able to do so or other nearby assistance as may be appropriate. A record of the incident will be logged in the Exeter Regatta Incident Log Book and reported to British Rowing in accordance with the British Rowing Water Safety Code. In the event of a personal Injury to anyone, particularly members of the public, even if it is not dealt with by the event First aid provider, this MUST be reported to the Regatta Safety Officer at Race Control so it can be recorded.

Accident procedure (Non-personal injury)

In the event of a Non-personal injury accident (i.e. equipment damage) the Safety Officer for the day, normally at the Regatta Control Point should be contacted by radio.  He will then oversee the incident.  A record of the incident will be logged in the Exeter Regatta Incident Log Book and reported to British Rowing in accordance with the British Rowing Water Safety Code.

In the event of either eventuality taking place on the water an announcement will be made over the Public Address system and Racing will be suspended immediately and will not resume until Race Control approval is given.

Safeguarding

The Regatta Committee expect that every visiting Club to have a responsible adult to look after the welfare of all their children and any vulnerable adults who may be attending the Regatta.

Exeter Rowing Club has two Welfare Officers, Dan Judd and Vickie Sincock, who will be in attendance at the Regatta. In the event that there is a missing child or vulnerable person, Race Control should be contacted.

Other Users of the Quay

The River and Exeter Quay are not closed to members of the public and other water users.  Please be respectful to members of the public using the slipways and please obey the advice of marshals who will be assisting in these areas.

The residents of Clipper Quay, positioned behind the concrete slipway, have requested that competitors do not use their grassed area for rigging or sitting on as this is private.