Getting Ready for “Go!”Getting Ready for “Go!”

First race of the season, first race First race of the season, first race of the regatta, first race in 9 or so of the regatta, first race in 9 or so

months !!!! months !!!!

Referee on the Water (ROTW)Referee on the Water (ROTW)

……..so, you’re in a launch…....so, you’re in a launch….. ……..so, how good is your driver?......so, how good is your driver?.... ……..and then, the race is getting ready to start…....and then, the race is getting ready to start….. What do you know?What do you know?

What are you doing? What are you doing?

Why?Why?

Launch Team Launch Team Driver and RefereeDriver and Referee

Key topics to review with your driver at the Key topics to review with your driver at the

beginning of your ‘relationship’beginning of your ‘relationship’

Hand Signals - how do you communicate Hand Signals - how do you communicate Launch position at Start - venue specificLaunch position at Start - venue specific Race Position - how to change during the Race Position - how to change during the

racerace Return to Start procedures – venue specificReturn to Start procedures – venue specific

ROTW - What do you know?ROTW - What do you know?

What race is it?What race is it? What’s at stake? What is the progression?What’s at stake? What is the progression? Who’s in what lane?Who’s in what lane?

Who are in “your” lanes? The rest of the fieldWho are in “your” lanes? The rest of the field Do you see another referee?Do you see another referee? How proficient is your driver?How proficient is your driver? Do you have a good “feel” for the entire Do you have a good “feel” for the entire

competitive situation?competitive situation? What might go wrong? Where is the risk?What might go wrong? Where is the risk?

Be with the crews in the start area a few minutes earlyBe with the crews in the start area a few minutes early Monitor the traffic pattern around and on the courseMonitor the traffic pattern around and on the course Help position the crews into the platform or stakeboats, Help position the crews into the platform or stakeboats,

if needed and ONLY if requested by Starter: if needed and ONLY if requested by Starter: Be patient!Be patient! Use proper instructions and tone of voiceUse proper instructions and tone of voice

Identify each crew in the raceIdentify each crew in the race Double-check the progression for the upcoming raceDouble-check the progression for the upcoming race Watch the crews, listen to coxswain commands, observe Watch the crews, listen to coxswain commands, observe

the crew’s responsethe crew’s response Check your equipment (watch, megaphone, flags, lanyard)Check your equipment (watch, megaphone, flags, lanyard) Check for the other refereeCheck for the other referee

ROTW At The StartROTW At The StartPreparing for the racePreparing for the race

Stand up in the launchStand up in the launch Stopwatch, flags, megaphone, launch, and driver all readyStopwatch, flags, megaphone, launch, and driver all ready Watch crews and hands (bow seat and/or cox)Watch crews and hands (bow seat and/or cox)

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ROTW At The StartROTW At The StartTwo minutes to goTwo minutes to go

ROTW - What are you doing?ROTW - What are you doing? Why are you standing up?Why are you standing up?

Informs the Starter and other officials that you’re “taking” the raceInforms the Starter and other officials that you’re “taking” the race Is your watch clear?Is your watch clear? Are your flags and megaphone handy?Are your flags and megaphone handy?

Is the red flag accessible but relatively hidden?Is the red flag accessible but relatively hidden? Do the crews need help?Do the crews need help? Are you holding on? (see “Launch team…..driver”)Are you holding on? (see “Launch team…..driver”)

Thought a picture might work here, but cannot find a good one. If you cannot either then just expand out the words

““The clock is running…”The clock is running…” Hand up at start or crew did not start?Hand up at start or crew did not start? Watching the Judge-at-Start; False start (Red Flag & sound)Watching the Judge-at-Start; False start (Red Flag & sound) Collisions or major interferenceCollisions or major interference Rower in the water or overturned boat?Rower in the water or overturned boat?

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ROTW At The StartROTW At The StartAttention, Go! -- The first 100 metersAttention, Go! -- The first 100 meters

BreakageBreakage(rules 2-311 and 2-407(d))(rules 2-311 and 2-407(d))

If a boat stops rowing within 100 meters of the start, If a boat stops rowing within 100 meters of the start, STOP STOP

THE RACE, STOP THE RACE, STOP THE RACETHE RACE, STOP THE RACE, STOP THE RACE!! First 100 meters (AKA the breakage zone) are :First 100 meters (AKA the breakage zone) are :

• Marked with flags at the side of the course orMarked with flags at the side of the course or• Change in buoy colors orChange in buoy colors or• Defined as the first 20 seconds of the raceDefined as the first 20 seconds of the race

Approach the boat to determine if they have breakageApproach the boat to determine if they have breakage What does What does notnot constitute breakage? constitute breakage?

Failure of the Cox-box or other rowing aidsFailure of the Cox-box or other rowing aids Breakage due to crabs or jumped slidesBreakage due to crabs or jumped slides Equipment failure due to poor maintenanceEquipment failure due to poor maintenance

BreakageBreakage(rules 2-311, 2-406, 2-405)(rules 2-311, 2-406, 2-405)

Check boat for broken equipmentCheck boat for broken equipment Cautiously approach the shell, may even need to use the paddle Cautiously approach the shell, may even need to use the paddle

in the launch, and if necessary, try to calm the rowers in the launch, and if necessary, try to calm the rowers Determine the actual equipment issue and time to affect repairsDetermine the actual equipment issue and time to affect repairs Inform Starter ASAP, if outside assistance is requiredInform Starter ASAP, if outside assistance is required The affected crew may restart with no penalty if there was The affected crew may restart with no penalty if there was

legitimate breakagelegitimate breakage The crew may be penalized (e.g. warning) if they stopped with The crew may be penalized (e.g. warning) if they stopped with

no breakageno breakage Inform the Starter ASAP of your findings and decision WRT Inform the Starter ASAP of your findings and decision WRT

penaltiespenalties

Why are we doing this - Primary Duties of Why are we doing this - Primary Duties of the Referee (rules 2-403, 2-404)the Referee (rules 2-403, 2-404)

Maintain the safety and fairness of the race:Maintain the safety and fairness of the race: Safety: alwaysSafety: always Fairness: maintain and protect “equal chances” for all crews in Fairness: maintain and protect “equal chances” for all crews in

the racethe race May need to Flag or Warn crews to:May need to Flag or Warn crews to:

Prevent interferencePrevent interference Prevent a crew from gaining an unfair advantagePrevent a crew from gaining an unfair advantage Prevent an accidentPrevent an accident

Do not steer the crews !!Do not steer the crews !! Proper steering is part of the skill of racingProper steering is part of the skill of racing

Mentally document a factual record of the raceMentally document a factual record of the race

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Getting Ready for “Go!”Getting Ready for “Go!”

Any Questions???? Any Questions????