NOTE TO BRITISH CAPTAINS

This is the 2008 version left in place for information.  The 2009 version will be posted here by 1 November2008

SAFETY

Clubs are reminded that the HORR Committee does not permit boats with front-loaded coxes in the Race .

In view of the nature of the course , the character of the Race and safety considerations you are strongly urged to ensure that inexperienced coxes are placed with experienced crews and vice versa .

The HORR Committee recommends that crews of Veteran C classification and higher should consider entering the Vesta International Veterans' HOR (16/3/2008) instead .

DOUBLE USE OF BOATS

Clubs' attention is drawn to the warnings in the Marshalling Instructions . No allowance will be made for crews arriving late at the start by reason of using a boat twice .

1. The Crew Lists must be submitted , via the On-line ARA system ONLY by ARA & WARA clubs . SARA clubs must also use OARA but - if not already set up - will have to contact Mrs. Irene Townsend at the ARA via e-mail (Irene.townsend@ara-rowing.org), with club details and saying that they wish to enter the Head of the River Race. They will then be set up on OARA , and given all relevant log-in information .

OARA "Priority" information. Crews must be designated "1","2","3", etc. - NOT A , B , C .... or I , II , III .... Bearing in mind that many clubs are affected by the Draw , crews should be entered in order of priority rather than status ; for example if a Novice crew is to be preferred over a Senior 2 crew for a place , the Novice crew should be crew "1" and the Senior 2 "2" depending on places already held from 2006. The crew designated "1" will usually take the highest starting place when the start order is compiled after the Draw.

It is not necessary to provide subs.' names at this point , but you are reminded that if any are used registration numbers will be required .

Registration ; all competitors representing ARA and WARA clubs must be properly registered , and similarly all members of SARA crews must be registered with SARA (ARA Rules 3-1-1 & 5-1-1 d).

SARA only : to enable confirmation of registration numbers , when the entry is made all 9 (or 18 or 27 ...) pairs of names and numbers must be typed into the free-text "Notes" box next to the crew list . This is a condition of entry . Also, due to a recent OARA upgrade, the log-in procedure has changed and you need to contact Mrs. Irene Townsend at the ARA (Irene.townsend@ara-rowing.org) to receive the new instructions.

2. The Committee will not accept an entry form from any Club which it considers to be a subsidiary of or having common membership with another Club already making an entry for the Race . No entries from composite crews (including Divisional Clubs) will be accepted.

3. Subject to sections 1 and 2 above, and provided that entries complete in all respects are received by the closing date :

Should the total entry received exceed 420, third and subsequent entries from school clubs will not be accepted . If the remaining entry still exceeds 420:-

Priority A - all guaranteed

1. Those crews ready to race in 2007 who had a guaranteed place from either finishing in the top 280 in 2006 or via the Head’s guarantee of one place to every club .  

2. First crews of clubs entering in 2008 who did not enter in 2007

Priority B - into the draw  

1. Those crews ready to race in 2007 who achieved a place via the 2007 draw

2. Those crews excluded in the 2007 draw

Priority C - into the draw 

1. Extra entries from those clubs involved in A1, B1 & B2 (that is , those due to race in 2007) 

2. Second & third crews of new entries for 2008

The one draw will involve all priority B & C crews , but be pro-rata - that is , if the ratio of crews going into the draw is B:C , the numbers drawn out will be in that same ratio. The HORR office has all the required information from 2007 to make this work.

The 2008 Starting Order will be based on the published 2007 Start Order for those with places from 2006; if any Club feels that this will create a logistical or safety problem for any of its crews the Captain should contact the Secretary as soon as possible.  

The Draw for places will be held on Monday 18 February . Those British clubs affected by the draw will be e-mailed on or before 12.00 on Wednesday 20 February with the result and the full Start list will be on the website by the evening of Thursday 21 February . Therefore if a club is expecting a notification and does not receive one before the Start list is posted , the e-mail address notified with the entry should be checked carefully .

4. Lightweight event

For 2008 , the Lightweight category is again being offered . Crews will be required to weigh-in at 73.5 kg. maximum between approx. 1-2 hours before Race Start at a designated location . Such crews may not also enter a status event (Elite, Senior 1) but if they fail to weigh-in , or do so overweight , they will automatically default to their "normal" status - it is therefore important that such crews are entered in the correct category in OARA.

5. No Club may allow any of its places in the Race to be used by any crew from another Club , or allow any of its own crews to row in another Club's place. Any crew found taking part in the Race contrary to this prohibition will be disqualified , and the Committee reserves the right to refuse entries from any offending Club for ensuing Races for such a period as the Committee may in its discretion decide .

BOATING ARRANGEMENTS

Before making an entry, arrangements must be made with a Tideway club, and their name notified in the relevant part of the entry . Lists of visiting clubs will be closely checked as entries are received ; if this section is left blank , or if the Tideway club named has not given its permission , the entry will be rejected .

INSURANCE . The Race requires that you confirm that your club carries public liability cover for at least £ 1m (ARA Water Safety Code 1.4); this is usually incorporated in your club’s general policy, but you are strongly urged to consult your insurers if there is any doubt.

BOAT IDENTIFICATION

It is now an ARA rule that ALL boats must display a standard boat identification. You may well already know your club’s ID code ; if not , further details can be obtained from the ARA when you register for OARA. It is compulsory for your boat to carry your club’s letters and a number whenever it is on the Thames .

PARKING AT PUTNEY

The co-operation of Clubs in this respect has been much appreciated and has enabled crews to boat and disembark with little delay , and to keep traffic flowing along the Embankment . However , only trailers with an official HORR pass may stop for unloading of boats and equipment and must then leave immediately .They will not be allowed to return until a given time . The Committee therefore strongly urges visiting Clubs to make arrangements in writing as soon as possible to boat from Clubs at Chiswick or Barnes , where there is more room than at Hammersmith or Putney . Clubs that require trailer parking permits will receive details in early March .