South African Schools Rowing Union
 


        

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SASRU Rules of Racing & Regattas

Note all three Sections below: Section One (All Regattas); Section Two (SA Schools Champs) and Section Three (School's Boat Race)

 

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In addition the RowSA Rules of Racing apply except where these are superseded by the SASRU rules as set out hereunder: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

  The annual South African Schools' Rowing Championship takes place over the first weekend of March each year.

 

 

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

 Dist

8+

4+

2-

8x

4x

2x

1x

Open

2000m

1st; 2nd

1st; 2nd

1st; 2nd

 

1st; 2nd

1st; 2nd

1st; 2nd

1000m

3rd

3rd

 

 

3rd

3rd

3rd

U16

2000m

AB

AB

A

 

A B

A B

A B

1000m

 

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

1000m

 

  

 

  

3rd

3rd

3rd

U16

2000m

 

      

AB

AB

AB

1000m

 

 

 

  

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 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.
 

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 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 without undoing the laces.
 

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.
   
  STANDARD SCULLING TEST
  1  Two scullers take boat from boat-house and put on water.
  2  Scull 50m from jetty/bank and return.
  3  Turn boat on its axis clockwise and anti-clockwise (maximum lateral movement: + 1 metre).
  4  Back stern of boat to bank or jetty from a minimum distance of 10m (as for stake-boat start).
  5  Scull at firm paddle and on command “hold it hard” stop boat within one boat length.
  6  Two scullers to return boat and blades to boat-house
  7  Be able to swim 50m in rowing kit.
   

SECTION TWO - SCHOOL RULES APPLICABLE TO THE
2010 SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA
 
A

GENERAL
1.1

The Regatta is called the SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS' ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS.
 
1.2

The Championships take the form of an elimination regatta in which crews compete against each other in specific events in heats, semi-finals (where necessary) and A and B Finals; gold, silver and bronze medals being awarded to first, second and third places respectively in A Finals.
 
1.3  The venue of the regatta shall be as determined by the SASRU Executive.
 
1.4

The regatta shall take place over three days over the first Saturday in March as set out below:
 

     FRIDAY
 

 Group 1 Events (Single Sculls & Pairs events) - Heats, Semi-finals & Finals
 

     SATURDAY
 

 Group 2 Events - Heats, Semi-finals & Finals
 

     SUNDAY
 

 Group 3 Events - Heats, Semi-finals & Finals
 
1.5

Schools should take note that unfavourable weather conditions could result in racing continuing until 18:00 on Sunday.  Schools flying home should take this into account.
 
2

RULES
2.1

The SASRU Rules of Racing and the RowSA Rules of Racing shall apply.
 
2.2

In addition the rules specific to the South African Schools' Championships ("the regatta") as set out hereunder shall apply.
 
3.

ELIGIBILITY
 
3.1

Any person competing in the regatta must be a bona fide scholar at a member or associate school or a member of an associate club;
 
3.2

Any person competing in the regatta in the Open Division must be a bona fide Grade 12 scholar born in the year 1991 or thereafter or alternatively any other registered rower born in the year 1992 or thereafter;
 
3.3

Any person competing in the regatta in the U16 Division must have been born in 1994 or thereafter;
 
3.4

Any person competing in the regatta in the U15 Division must have been born in 1995 or thereafter;
 
3.5

Any person competing in the regatta in the U14 Division must have been born in 1996 or thereafter.
   

4.

EVENTS OFFERED
 
4.1

The following championship events are offered,:
  BOYS
  Open 8+/2nd 8+ 4+

2-

 4x 2x 1x 2000m
  U16 8+ 4+ 2- 4x 2x 1x 2000m
  U15     8x 4x 2x 1x 1000m
  U14     8x 4x 2x 1x 1000m
  GIRLS
  Open     2- 4x/2nd 4x 2x 1x 2000m
  U16       4x 2x 1x 2000m
  U15       4x 2x 1x 1000m
  U14       4x 2x 1x 1000m

4.2


The order of events will be as set out in the Racing Programme.
 
   
5.

REGATTA ENTRIES
 
5.1

Regatta entries must be made via the website www.regatta.co.za unless an alternative entry system is prescribed by the SASRU Executive.
 
5.2

No boy may be entered or participate in a girls' event or girl in a boys' event. This rule includes coxswains.
 
5.3

Composite crews are not permitted.
 
5.4

The following events are incompatible in the Racing Programme:     Eights and Doubles; Octuples and Doubles; Fours and Quads; Pairs and Single Sculls.
 
5.5

There is no restriction on the number of a school's entries in any particular event.  There is also no restriction on the number of events an individual rower may enter.  However, the SASRU Executive reserves the right to reduce the number of a school's entries in any particular event if in its opinion this is warranted.  In practice it is likely that schools' entries in single and double sculls will be restricted.  [Coaches should therefore enter scullers and crews in order of competence.][ For 2010 Champs Schools may only enter 5 single scullers in each age group]
 
 

 
5.6

Entries close at 5:00 pm on Tuesday 16th February 2010.  The preliminary draw will be published on 18 February 2010 and remain open for name-changes and scratchings (and late-entries where there are still lanes available) until Sunday 21 Feb.  The Final Draw will be posted on Monday 22 February 2010.
   
5.7

Entry fees for the regatta will be:   Eights & Octuples – R120 per crew;  Fours & Quads – R50 per crew;  Pairs & Doubles – R25 per crew;  Single Sculls – R20 per sculler.
 
5.8  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 unless that rower has written approval from the SASRU Executive, .
 
6

POINTS, PRIZES AND TROPHIES
 

Category

Placing

Boys

Girls

1st  8

1 – 8

28 –21

-

2nd 8

1 – 8

20 – 13

-

U16 8

1 – 8

18 – 11

-

U15 8X

1 – 8

17 – 10

-

U14 8X

1 – 8

17 – 10

-

 

 

 

 

1st  4  4 X

1 – 8

23 – 16

26 – 19

2nd 4 X

1 – 8

-

18 – 11

U16 4  4 X

1 – 8

16 - 9

16 – 9

U15 4 X

1 – 8

14 – 7

14 – 7

U14 4 X

1 – 8

14 – 7

14 – 7

 

 

 

 

1st  2X

1 – 8

15 – 8

15 – 8

U16 2X

1 – 8

13 – 6

13 – 6

U15 2X

1 – 8

10 – 3

10 – 3

U14 2X

1 – 8

10 – 3

10 – 3

 

 

 

 

1st  1X

1 – 8

13 – 6

13 – 6

U16 1X

1 – 8

12 – 5

12 – 5

U15 1X

1 – 8

8 – 1

8 – 1

U14 1X

1 – 8

8 – 1

8 – 1

 

 

 

 

1st  2

1 – 8

13 – 6

13 – 6

 
6.1

Points are awarded for A-Finals only towards overall championship trophies, age-group trophies etc .
   
6.2

Points are awarded to all crews as per the table above, including non-SA crews and a second or third crew etc from the same school.
 
6.2

Points for girls and boys events are scored separately.  However, for the purposes of the co-educational schools' championship trophy, points are scored together.
 
6.3

Gold, silver and bronze medals are presented to the first, second and third placed A finalists among South African Schools crews. Additional medals are awarded to non-South African or non-Schools crews obtaining actual first, second or third places.
 
6.4

Medals and Trophies for U14, U15 & U16 A-Final events are presented immediately after the race on the “winners’ jetty”.
Medals and Trophies for Open A-Final events are presented at the Prize giving Ceremony, 20 minutes after the last race of the Championships.
 
6.5

Special Boys 2nd 8 and Girls  2nd Quad medals have been minted for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in these events.NB  A school’s “first crew” must have participated in the regatta.
 
7.

WEATHER INTERRUPTIONS
 
7.1

In the event of unfavourable weather, the SAROC Safety Committee shall make all decisions with regard to safety and whether racing should proceed as per the events schedule.  If the regatta is delayed, event times shall if possible be rescheduled to include earlier and/or later times of racing on the remaining day/s of the regatta in order to complete all events.
 
7.2

If it is not possible to complete all events SAROC shall liaise with the SASRU Exceutive with a view to reducing the number of events, eg. by cancelling U14 and U15 single sculling events, other U14 and U15 events or B Finals etc.
 
7.3

If it is not possible to complete the regatta, the SASRU Executive shall decide to declare the regatta "cancelled" or "complete".  If the regatta is declared "complete", points already accrued shall be deemed to be the final tally for the purpose of awarding medals, trophies etc.
 

 

SECTION THREE - RULES APPLICABLE TO THE SA SCHOOLS BOAT RACE

1.         No composite crews will be allowed. 

2.         All rowers must have been enrolled as full time learners at the school for which they have been entered.  (Crews would be well advised to bring a reserve rower in case of bona fide incapacitation of any athlete - Boats of Reserve Crews may compete in the time trial but not the Finals, Reserve rowers will be allocated to the reserve boat in the order of receipt of entries). 

3.         Clubs (which are not schools) may only enter crews after having made application to the SASRU President and having received written approval, a copy of which approval must accompany the entry. 

4.         All schools are welcome to compete providing they are members of SASRU and have accepted the SASRU constitution by letter to SASRU. 

5.         International Schools who are invited to attended will compete equally with South African Schools for places and medals. 

6.         All crews must nominate a crew representative who shall be a teacher or coach in the employ of the school. 

7.         The following SASRU Rules of Racing shall apply: 

7.1        In accordance with the normal practice of South African Schools, the terminology “boys and girls” shall be used at Schools’ Boat Race. 

7.2        Grade 12 and post matric learners may not compete. 

7.3        All competitors must compete in their school’s recognised colours and attire. No competitor may compete for different schools or clubs. 

7.4        No boy may enter or participate in a girls event and no girl in a boys event. 

7.5        The minimum weight for a coxswain wearing racing shirt and shorts or equivalent is 55kg for boys and 50kg for girls.  An underweight coxswain must carry additional dead weight to make up his or her minimum total weight which shall be placed in the boat as close as possible to his or her person.  No article of racing equipment shall be considered as part of this dead weight. 

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

7.7        All boats must be fitted with bow balls, velcro shoes and heel straps.  The minimum weight for a 4X+ is 52kg and for an 8+ is 96kg.

 

...

Contact: paulc@law.co.za