Rules for Competitors

The Reading Amateur Regatta is held under British Rowing Rules of Racing and conforms to the British Rowing 'Row Safe' guide.

This page lists the Rules, Regulations & Safety Information for Coxes & Competitors and includes Navigation Instructions and Circulation Diagrams.

Coxes & Competitors MUST familiarise themselves with the contents of this page!

Crews are reminded that non-compliance with these Rules risks disqualification!

You can download this page as PDF Here

Regatta Rule Book for Competitors

Regatta Course Map

1. Course Overview: Crews must study the course map of the Regatta (see diagram below) which highlights Navigation Channel, Race lanes, Start Areas, Finish Area and notable locations along the course.






Registration & Weigh-In

2. Registration: All crews must register at the Crew Stewards marquee before their first race. Bring your British Rowing card to enable formal identification.
3. Substitutions: Crew substitutions must be submitted in BROE 2 prior to registration. Discovery of unregistered substitutions may result in disqualification.
4. Coxswains: All Coxes must weigh-in with their lifejackets at Crew Stewards to be issued a weight slip which will be checked prior to boating. Coxes under the minimum weight must provide their own deadweight.




Boating & Launching

5. Timing: Crews must be afloat at least 20 minutes before their scheduled race time.
6. Inspection: Crews must present equipment and coxes weight certificates to the Control Commission for inspection prior to boating.
7. Boating & Launching: Obey all instructions from the Raft Marshal. Boat with bows pointing upstream. Ensure the Finish area is clear before crossing promptly into the navigation channel using full-crew rowing (see diagram below).






Navigation & Warm-Up

8. Prohibited Actions: Practice starts and firm pressure paddling are not permitted in the Navigation Channel or in the Start Areas. Non-compliance risks disqualification.
9. Proceed to Start: In the navigation channel, avoid impeding other river traffic and obey all instructions from Channel Marshals or Safety Boats.
10. Start Area: Proceed past the start pontoon (see diagrams below), crews must identify themselves to the Start Marshals (know your number!) while continuing to row upstream. Obey all instructions from Start Marshals.
11. Warm-Up: Proceed upstream of the Start Area. Warm-up is permitted only upstream past the yellow buoy. Normal navigation rules apply here. Safety boat coverage is unavailable beyond the immediate regatta course. Inform Start Marshals of your intentions. The crew is responsible for returning to the start on time.
12. Turning: Proceed upstream of the Start Area, turn anti-clockwise around the yellow buoy, pair-up with your opponent and hold in the Berkshire-side waiting area. Obey all instructions from Start Marshals.

Saturday - Start Area :




Sunday - Start Area :






Racing

13. Line-up: When directed by the Start Marshal, move to the stakeboats - know your crew number and allocated race lane (Oxon or Berks) - around 4 minutes before your race time. Crews must attach to stakeboats unaided.
14. Race: During the race, remain within your allocated race lane and obey all instructions from Umpires.
15. Dead Heat: Dead heats will be re-rowed immediately over the full course.




Finish & Landing

16. Traffic Pattern: After finishing, crews must proceed downstream through the right-hand arch (NOT the left hand arch) of Caversham Bridge keeping close to the central buttress. Yield to normal river traffic.
    (see Finish Circulation Diagram near the top of this page).
17. Warm-Down: Warm-down is permitted only downstream of Pipers Island, well past the yellow buoy. Normal navigation rules apply here. Safety boat coverage is unavailable beyond the immediate regatta course.
18. Return: Crews must turn clockwise around the yellow buoy just downstream of Pipers Island and return upstream under Caversham Bridge, hugging the Berkshire bank.
19. Landing: Crews waiting to land must hold position downstream of Reading Rowing Club until called to the landing stage by the Raft Marshal.




In case of Accidents

20. STAY with your boat.
21. DO NOT swim to the bank.
22. AWAIT HELP from Safety boats.




Safety

23. Pedestrians: Exercise extreme caution when carrying equipment through the boating area; it crosses a busy public walkway.
24. Equipment: Between races, boats & blades may only be left in marked-off areas (away from the landing pontoons).
25. Commercial Vessels: River cruise boats (Caversham Lady, Caversham Princess, Princess Marina) operate nearby. Monitor their whistle signals:
• 1 blast --> Changing course to starboard (right)
• 2 blasts --> Changing course to port (left)
• 3 blasts --> Reversing
• 4 blasts + 1 blast --> Turning with bows starboard (right)
• 4 blasts + 2 blasts --> Turning with bows to port (left)
• 5 blasts --> Unclear intentions: clarify your course

--- This concludes the Rules & Regulations for Competitors ---

------------- (Revision date: 06 June 2026) ---------------

1. First Aid information can be accessed here.
2. Two safety boats, crewed by trained personnel, will patrol the course throughout the Regatta. Safety boats can be summoned via Regatta Control or any race official.
3. Club captains & coaches should ensure the following (particularly in relation to Junior crews):
• Crews know their crew number.
• Crews know which race station (Oxon or Berks) is which and know the station they have been allocated.
• Crews can manoeuvre competently to get attached to the start quickly and cleanly.
• Crews are able to follow steering instructions given by Regatta officials and will respond quickly and clearly unaided.
Crews who are clearly not competent may not be allowed to race, in the interests of their own and other crew's safety.


4. Please also read the Reading Amateur Regatta Safety Information.

All enquiries should be directed to the Entries Secretary.