This page lists important Rules, Regulations and Safety Information for all Coxes & Competitors and includes Navigation Instructions and Circulation Diagrams. The Reading Amateur Regatta is held under British Rowing Rules of Racing and conforms to the British Rowing 'Row Safe' guide.

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

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

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Course Map

The map below shows the course of the Reading Amateur Regatta highlighting Start, Finish and notable locations along the course.



1. Practice starts and firm pressure paddling are NOT permitted in the navigation channel and start marshalling area.
• Crews wishing to warm-up or practice starts must proceed up-stream of the start area (marked with purple arrows on the course diagram below). Crews are advised to inform the start marshals of their intentions, it is the responsibility of the crew to report back to the start marshal in time for their race.
• Crews wishing to warm-down after the race must proceed down-stream of Pipers Island (marked with purple arrows on the course diagram below).
• Crews are advised that normal navigation rules apply once clear of the Regatta course and that there is no safety boat cover beyond the immediate vicinity of the Regatta course.






Registration

2. All crews must register prior to their first race at the Crew Stewards marquee.
3. Crew substitutions must be made in BROE 2 prior to registration. The discovery of unregistered substitutions may result in the disqualification of the crew.
4. All Coxes must weigh-in with their life-jackets at Crew Stewards, where they will be issued a weight slip which will be checked prior to boating. Any coxes under the minimum weight are required to provide their own deadweight.
5. All crew members must bring their British Rowing cards to enable formal identification.

Boating

6. Crews must ensure that they are afloat at least 20 minutes before their scheduled race time.
7. Crews must make equipment and coxes weight certificates available for inspection by the Control Commission prior to boating.
8. Boating is under the supervision of Raft Marshals, crews must obey all instructions from the marshals.



9. Crews must boat with their bows pointing upstream towards the start, see diagram above.
10. As the boating area is situated close to the Finish, crews must check the Finish area is clear before crossing promptly (full crew rowing) to the navigation channel.

Navigation Rules

11. Practice starts and firm pressure paddling are not permitted in the navigation channel or in the start areas. Failure to observe this rule may lead to disqualification.
12. In the navigation channel, crews must avoid impeding other vessels who have equal rights of navigation.
13. Crews must obey all instructions from the Channel Marshal or Safety Boats.
14. After passing the start pontoon, crews must identify themselves to the Start Marshals (know your number!) while continuing to row up-stream.
15. Crews must obey all instructions from Start Marshals or risk an official warning or disqualification.
16. On Saturday, crews must continue past St Mary's island and go around the yellow buoy unless instructed otherwise by the Start Marshalls. Crews will be instructed to pair up with their opponents and wait for their turn to race in the waiting area on the Berkshire side (see diagram below).



17. On Sunday, crews must continue after passing the start pontoon and go around the yellow turning buoy unless instructed otherwise by the Start Marshalls. Crews will be instructed to pair up with their opponents and wait for their turn to race in the waiting area on the Berkshire side (see diagram below).



Racing

18. Crews paired with their opposition may only proceed to the start positions when directed to do so by the Start Marshal (approx. 4 minutes prior to their scheduled race time).
19. Crews are expected to know their crew number and know which station (Oxon or Berks) is which and know the station they have been allocated for their race.
20. The start is set from stakeboats. Crews are expected to be able to get attached to the stakeboats unaided and in good time.
21. During the race, crews are required to remain in their allocated racing lane and to obey any instructions from the Umpires.
22. In the event of a dead heat, crews will re-row immediately over the full course.

After the Finish

23. After finishing, crews must proceed down-stream, passing through the right-hand arch (NOT the left hand arch) of Caversham Bridge, keeping close to the central buttress, giving way to normal river traffic (see Finish Circulation Diagram near the top of this page).
24. Crews must turn clockwise around the yellow buoy just down-stream of Pipers Island and return up-stream back under Caversham Bridge as close as possible to the Berkshire bank (nearest to Reading Rowing Club).
25. Crews waiting to land must hold position just down-stream of Reading Rowing Club until called to the landing stage by the Raft Marshal.

In case of Accidents

26. STAY with your boat.
27. DO NOT swim to the bank.
28. Await help from Safety boats.

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

------------- (Revision date: 07 June 2025) ---------------

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 are requested to ensure that their crews (particularly Juniors) are trained in the following basic maneuvers:
• Know their crew number.
• Know which station (Oxon or Berks) is which and know the station they have been allocated.
• Get attached to the start quickly and cleanly.
• Respond quickly and clearly to any steering instructions given by Regatta officials.
• Be able to follow steering instructions unaided, without intervention of a coach or Regatta official.
Crews who are clearly not competent in any of these areas may not be allowed to race, in the interests of their own and other crew's safety.

4. The boating area crosses a busy public walking route. Every care should be taken when carrying equipment through areas where members of the public and Regatta supporters are present.
5. Between races, boats and blades may only be left in marked-off areas (away from the landing pontoons).
6. The Caversham Lady, Caversham Princess and Princess Marina operate cruises from a jetty downstream of Reading Rowing Club. When maneuvering, the following signals that will be used by these vessels:
• One short whistle blast --> changing course to starboard (right)
• Two short whistle blasts --> changing course to port (left)
• Three short whistle blasts --> reversing
• Four short whistle blasts / short interval / one short blast --> turning with bows moving to starboard (right)
• Four short whistle blasts / short interval / two short blasts --> turning with bows moving to port (left)
• Five short whistle blasts / --> please make your intentions clear
7. Please also read the Reading Amateur Regatta Safety Information.

All enquiries should be directed to the Entries Secretary.