SECTION ONE - SCHOOL RULES APPLICABLE TO ALL REGATTAS

March 2009 - AGM

1.

INTRODUCTION
 

 1.1

In accordance with The Constitution of the South African Schools' Rowing Union (SASRU) [and the resolution adopted unanimously by schools at its 2008 Annual General Meeting] SASRU hereby promulgates the  Rules of School Racing and the Rules applicable to all School Regattas:
 

1.2

In addition the RowSA Rules of Racing apply except where these are superseded by the SASRU rules as set out hereunder:
 

2.

TERMINOLOGY & AGE-GROUPS
 

2.1

All regattas hosted by Schools shall be called "School Regattas" [not "Junior Regattas]"
 

2.2

In accordance with normal practice at South African Schools:
-  the terminology "Girls" and "Boys" shall be used in all School Regattas [not "Junior Women" or "Junior Men"];
-  age-groups are defined as:  "Under Thirteen" (Abbreviated as U13);   "Under Fourteen"  (U14):  "Under Fifteen" (U15);
   "Under Sixteen" (U16); and "Open"; and
-  age-group sub-divisions are defined as "A', "B", "C" etc; except in  the case of the Open division when sub-divisions
   are defined as "First", "Second", "Third" etc.
 

3.

ELIGIBILITY

 3.1

Rowers still at school and who are U19 may participate in Open events at schools regattas and in schools events at regattas, but must be U18 for participation in Provincial or International competition.
 

3.2

Postmatric rowers in school regattas or in school events at regattas must be U18.
 

 3.3

Grade 12 rowers are not permitted to participate in school regattas or in school events at regattas in the September to December part of the season.  This restriction also applies to the Schools Boatrace.
 

4.

SCHOOL ROWING SEASON
 

 4.1

The school rowing season comprises the period September to March of the following year.  School rowers are classified into age-groups at the commencement of the season in September and the age-group does not change at the commencement of the following academic year in January. 
 

4.2

5.

EVENTS, CATEGORIES AND DISTANCES
 

 5.1

Wherever possible the following events should be offered at school regattas and at regattas with schools events.
 

BOYS

8+

4+

2-

8x

4x

2x

1x

Open

2000m

1st; 2nd

1st; 2nd

1st; 2nd

1st; 2nd

1st; 2nd

1st; 2nd

2000m

3rd

3rd

3rd

3rd

3rd

U16

2000m

AB

AB

A

A B

A B

A B

2000m

C

C

C

C

U15

1000m

AB

ABC

ABC

ABC

U14

1000m

AB

ABC

ABC

ABC

GIRLS

Dist

8+

4+

2-

8x

4x

2x

1x

Open

2000m

1st

1st;2nd

1st;2nd

1st;2nd

2000m

3rd

3rd

3rd

U16

2000m

AB

AB

AB

2000m

C

C

C

U15

1000m

ABC

ABC

ABC

U14

1000m

ABC

ABC

ABC

5.2

Organisers of regattas may in addition offer U13 events, although such events are no longer offered at the SA Schools' Championships.

5.3

In the SASRU recommended order of events, certain events are incompatible - as at the Schools' Rowing Championships - eights/octuples and doubles;  fours and quads;  pairs and singles.  [This makes it possible to row these events very close together, so maximising the time-interval between age-group events.]

6.

DRESS AND UNIFORM
 

6.1

All competitors must compete in their recognised colours and attire.
 

6.2

Where tri-suits are used for some crews only, they must be designed in such a way that they approximate as closely as possible to normal racing colours. 
 

7.

COXSWAINS
 

7.1

A coxswain is deemed to be a member of the crew and therefore a boys' crew may not be coxed by a girl nor may a girls' crew be coxed by a boy.
 

 7.2

A coxswain may cox crews only in the same age-group division or higher but not lower, e.g. an U16 cox may cox only U16 or open crews.  However, in the interest of safety, an older experienced coxswain may cox a novice under 14 crew in the September to January part of the season.
 

 7.3

The minimum total weight for a coxswain in an Open event (wearing racing shirt and shorts or equivalent) is 55 kg for boys and 50 kg for girls. An under-weight coxswain must carry additional deadweight to make up his/her minimum total weight which shall be placed in the boat as close as possible to his/her person. No article of racing equipment shall be considered as part of this deadweight.  While good sportsmanship dictates that this rule should be adhered to in all regattas, it is in practice strictly enforced only at major and championships regattas as well as at Boat Race.
 

8.

EQUIPMENT
 

 8.1

All boats must conform to the minimum mass regulations as set out hereunder:
Single Sculling Boats - 14kg;  Doubles and Pairs - 27kg;  Coxed Fours - 51kg;  Coxed Quads - 52kg;  Eights - 96kg
 

 8.2

Cleaver-type blades may be used in all events.
 

 8.3

All boats participating in regattas may be required to carry lane numbers securely fixed to the bow of the boat.

9.

REGATTA ENTRIES
 

 9.1

Regatta entries are normally made via the website www.regatta.co.za.  Regatta organisers may, however, prescribe alternative methods of entry.
 

 9.2

No competitor may compete for two different schools/clubs at the same regatta. Composite crews are not permitted.
 

9.3

In the case of a bona fide incapacitation of any competitor in a crew, representation can be made to regatta control who may authorise a substitute from a lower division crew without excluding the substitute from rowing in his own event.
 

 9.4

Crews / single scullers winning a 2nd, 3rd, B or C event at any regatta must move up to the respective 1st, 2nd, A or B event at all subsequent regattas in the season unless the school / club is already represented in the higher order event.
 

 9.5

No boy may be entered or participate in a girls' event or girl in a boys' event.

 9.6

Rowers enrolled at a rowing school may not compete for any other school or club unless that rower has written approval from the SASRU Executive, which shall not be given unless that rower also has written approval from the Head of that rowers school. Rowers enrolled at a non-rowing school may not compete for a rowing school, but only for a club.

10

POINTS, PRIZES AND TROPHIES
 

10.1

Organisers of regattas may elect:
a) To use no points scoring system at all;
b) To use a "nominations" system;
c) To use the SA Schools Championships system, viz points are awarded for A-category events only.(See below)

10.2

Where a points system is used boys and girls events must be scored separately and separate prizes and/or trophies should be presented for boys and girls.
 

 10.3

Medals or certificates should be presented to winners of A-category events only - or alternatively gold, silver and bronze medals to first places, second places and third places respectively in A-category events.

11

SAFETY
 

 11.1

All rowers participating in regattas must have passed the Standard Sculling Test as set out below.  The responsibility for the administering of these tests rests with each participating school/club.
 

 11.2

All boats in use at practices and participating in regattas must be fitted with bow-balls.
 

11.3

All rowing boats must be fitted with approved heel straps as a safety precaution.
 

11.4

Rowers must not tie feet into boats in such a way that their feet cannot be removed, shoes must be comply with FISA quick release rule.
 

11.5

Organisers of regattas must provide at least one Rescue boat manned by sufficiently experienced persons.
 

11.6

Organisers of regattas must ensure that competent first-aid services are provided at all regattas.
 

11.7

The wearing of hats is strongly recommended.