1. Rules

• The Regatta is sanctioned by Rowing BC and races will be governed by the Canadian Rules of Racing as defined by Rowing Canada Aviron.
• Composite Crews are welcome but must be designated as Composite Crews at registration. A competitor may be a member of more than one club but no competitor may compete for two different clubs at the same regatta.
• Novice rowers are those who were new to rowing after January 09

2. Location

• The Regatta will be held at Blackie Spit Park in Crescent Beach, Surrey, BC.
• Boats should be offloaded and placed on stretchers at Blackie Spit Park.
• The Coach's and Coxswain's meeting will be in the main tent at 10:00 AM. Attendance by at least one representative from each crew is mandatory.
• Bow numbers and course diagrams will be provided at registration.

3. Races

• Two races are scheduled.

1. A Class Event in the morning with awards for the top crew in each boat class (1x, 2x, 4's, 4x and 8+) and for the top NOVICE and JUNIOR crews.

2. A Trophy Race in the afternoon with all crews handicapped by age, gender and boat type to determine the overall Head of the River 2010 crew.

4. Launch

• All boats are to be wet launched at the designated beach in Blackie Spit Park. Boats not launching from Blackie Spit will not be considered as regatta participants.
• A Beach Marshal must check all boats for heel tie-downs and bow balls prior to launch. Crews are responsible to make sure their boat is checked and marked off on the Beach Marshal's check sheet for both the Class Race and the Trophy Race.
• Boats must be in the water by 11:00 AM and 1:45 PM for the morning and afternoon races respectively - in fairness to crews waiting at the start, no late launching will be allowed.

5. Up-River Row

• After launch, proceed up river to the start area. Please follow instructions from the Course Marshals. Enjoy the river! Take note of the position of the yellow course marker buoys that must be rounded on the way down and of any hazards that will need to be avoided on your race back. 

6. Down-River Race

• All boats must be upriver of the start area by 11:35 AM for the morning race and by 2:20 PM for the afternoon race. 
• At the discretion of the Start Marshal, the class race may be split into two flights, depending on the number of boats registered, with the 8+'s, 4's, and 4x's starting at 11:45 AM in the first flight and the 2-'s, 2x's and 1x's following immediately after in the second flight. In this instance, 2-'s, 2x's and 1x's will be positioned in the designated holding area to allow the larger boats to stage and start the race. Once the 8+'s, 4+'s, 4-'s and 4x's have passed the holding area, all second flight boats will proceed up river to the start area.
• This is a running start head race. Start between the orange buoys placed just ahead of the start line. Follow starter's orders. Start times will begin at 11:45 AM for the Class Event; 2:30 PM for the Trophy Race and will be in sequence of your bow number. This will be a running start with 10 second intervals between boats.
• The Nicomekl is a tidal river with many turns, shallows and obstacles. Navigation to avoid obstacles and shallows is part of the head race. There are nine red navigation buoys along the river. These buoys mark the deep-water channel and are not part of the course. They may be passed on either side.
• Yellow inflatable buoys will be placed at the first turn by Nico Wynd Golf Course and at the turn below Ward’s Marina.  These markers indicate sand bars and shallow water and must be kept to your port side.
• A yellow inflatable buoy will be placed off the shallow bank between Wards Marina and Crescent Beach Marina. This buoy must be passed to your starboard side.
• Two yellow inflatable buoys are placed ahead of the railway trestle bridge. Pass between these buoys.  For safety reasons, there must be no overtaking from these buoys until you have cleared the end of the trestle bridge platform. If you are overlapped with another boat, the behind boat must fall back to follow the lead boat. A Course Umpire will be on hand to determine which boat is in the lead – if your bow number is called and you are requested to fall back, you must follow the instructions of the Course Umpire.
• A final yellow inflatable buoy will be off the end of Blackie Spit. This buoy must be passed to your port side.
• The pilings that mark the deep-water channel past the spit are part of the course and must be passed to your port side.
• The finish line is from the end of the pier at Wickson Road. Two orange buoys will be placed just behind the finish line.
• A time penalty may be applied to any boat that cuts a corner by not correctly rounding one of the yellow inflatable buoys.

7. After the Finish

• After the finish, turn to port away from the finish line and proceed back to launch area. Keep clear of boats still finishing by keeping well to the inside bank and close to Wickson Pier. Return your bow number!

8. Boats Not Finishing

• If you retire or choose not to complete the course for any reason please advise the nearest safety boat.

9. Risk

• Competitors and crews participate in the races entirely at their own risk. The decision to race is that of the competing crew alone. The organizers will not accept any liability for material damage, personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with, or prior to, or during or after the event.

Be guided by the rules of good sportsmanship. Your safety and the safety of other participants is paramount.