Regatta Frequently Asked Questions

This page is for new members who have not been to a regatta before.  We want you to know what to expect, and enjoy your first competition day as much as you can.  If you are not competing at a regatta, please consider coming along and joining our 'cheerleaders' (pom-poms optional).

Boat loading/unloading.  We generally load our boats onto the trailer Thursday arvos after training, and unload after the regatta.  The captains will confirm loading times.  Many hands make light work - boat loading/unloading is compulsory, unless you have a really good excuse (and we have heard them all before).  Loading/ unloading takes about an hour.

Regatta mornings.  Many regattas start at 8am.  Members must be at the regatta no later than an hour before start time, to allow for unloading/rigging.  Again, the captains will look at the race times and confirm arrival times.  We travel to city regattas, and those at Geelong and Nagambie, on the morning of the regatta.  We treat country regattas as weekend camping trips.

What to bring.  Your 'zootie' (team uniform), plenty of fluids, some sweet snacks for energy recovery (fruit, lollies, cake...), sunscreen, a hat, spare socks, folding chair, something to take your mind off rowing (book, magazine, music), maybe a camera.  You can bring a packed lunch, and all regattas have basic catering (sausages/hamburgers/sandwiches/cold drinks).  We have a spankin' new instant marquee (thanks SunSmart and Paula) to keep the sun off.  Treat country camping weekends as a regular camping trip - tents, etc.  If you don't have a tent, we'll try to arrange a lend.

Cost.  We try to keep the costs down for all members - rowing can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be.  The main cost at a city regatta is entry fees (average $8 per event entered) and boat towing ($10 flat rate for a single regatta/ $15 for a double).  Regatta catering is reasonably priced, or you can bring lunch.  Have a spare $10 for a returnable deposit on boat bow numbers.  For country camping weekends, we book a campsite (average $8 per person per night), and either throw a few dollars in for a BBQ, or 'go the parmagiana' at the local bistro.  You could always go posh with a cabin.

On the day.  We will be using a whiteboard to write down our races for the day.  Make sure you know when your heats and finals are.  We expect members to be ready to launch their boats thirty minutes before the start of their race.  Sometimes landings can be crowded with crews launching and returning, and officials will not hold races for late crews.  Give yourself plenty of time; no-one likes the panic of rushing to the start line.  If you are late, the scary guy with the moustache shouting at you is Robin Murphy, so remember to say hello to him.

Race etiquette.  Just a big word for 'be polite'.  Say hello to the crews you are racing against.  They're likely to be nervous as well.  No matter what happens during a race (oars clashing, crews in the wrong lane), it ends when you cross the finish line.  No cracking up at other rowers - you are a part of the Carrum Rowing Club.  It is customary to offer 'three cheers for the other crews' when all crews have crossed the finish line.  Last and most important - listen to the officials (in yellow safety vests) and follow their instructions.  If there is a problem, then only the stroke or coxswain should communicate this.  The officials are there to help, but they hate a whole boat of rowers shouting at them at once.