1. Starting

The Starter will arrange the crews so that crews cross the starting line at approximately 20 second intervals. The starting order shall be determined by random lot.

2. Right of way

a. A crew is deemed to be overtaking another crew when it has moved to within one length of open water of the crew ahead. On those portions of the course that are straight, a crew being overtaken shall move closer to the shore and allow the overtaking crew to pass.

b. Where the course turns, a crew being overtaken shall move to the outside of the turn and allow the overtaking crew to pass along the shorter path. Nevertheless, passing is not allowed, nor is the crew being overtaken required to yield, in cases where the overtaking crew’s position clearly prevents safe passage or where there is insufficient room to yield.

c. Passing is not allowed under bridges, with no exceptions. See "no passing" areas on course map.

d. Boats proceeding in line with the direction of the river have the right of way over boats crossing the river. Care should be taken when turning around or crossing the river. Boats racing have the right of way over all other boats.

3. Penalties

a. Where buoys mark the boundaries of the course, and in particular mark turns on the course, a crew shall be penalized 10 seconds for each buoy that the crew passes incorrectly. A crew passes a buoy incorrectly when any part of its hull passes on the wrong side of the buoy.

b. A crew that misses its correct order at the start shall be penalized 10 seconds.

c. A crew that fails to yield to a crew being summoned to the starting area, or that otherwise interferes with the staging of the start, may be penalized 10 seconds by the Marshall or Starter.

d. A crew that fails to yield to a crew having proper right of way shall be penalized 30 seconds.

e. A crew that crosses the starting line without its required bow number shall be penalized 60 seconds.

f. A crew that passes another crew in any area marked "no passing" shall be penalized 60 seconds.

4. Equipment

a. Each crew, single, or double is responsible for having a protective "ball" on the bow of the boat. Any shell without a protective ball will not be allowed to start.

b. Each crew or single or double sculler rowing in a shell equipped with flexible sole shoes attached to the foot stretchers is responsible for making sure that the heels of the shoes are attached to the stretchers by a method that allows for quick exit in case of emergency (“heel ties”). Boats observed to be without this feature will not be allowed to race.

c. Each boat must display its number and be equipped with a bow clip. No boat will be allowed to leave the dock without a number.

5. Race categories

a. Participants may be classified as Junior or Masters rowers according to the Rules of Rowing, available from US Rowing.

b. Handicaps will be utilized for all Masters category races. Handicaps will be determined using US Rowing guidelines.  Participants are responsible for providing correct age information for Masters crews.

6. Travel pattern

a. Races are grouped into blocks.  This means that all boats in a block must be at the start at the designated start time of the block.

b. Two-way traffic is allowed on the river.  However, crews must row on the left, i.e. port, side of the river at all times.  Racing crews will row on the west side of the river.  Launching and landing crews and crews returning to their docks will row on the east side of the river.

c.  Navigable arches of the 3 bridges on the course are indicated on the course map.  These are the arches closest to the middle of the river.  Buoys will indicate which arches may be used.

d. Crews are not allowed to pass other crews after passing the large buoys indicating that a bridge is near.

e. A safety launch will be located on the east side of the Route 3 bridge.  Crews returning to their docks while the race is in progress may only pass through the Route 3 bridge after receiving an “OK” signal from the safety launch.

Good sportsmanship must prevail at all times.