Crew information

This page and the links below are essential reading if you’re racing (particularly if you are coxing or steering), briefing crews, or driving a trailer to Furnivall Gardens, or are driving to or boating from Duke’s Meadows.

• Safeguarding policy
• Trailer arrangement for crews  boating from Putney Embankment
• Trailer arrangements for crews boating from Hammersmith
• Visiting crews at Duke’s Meadows (TSS and all clubs at Civil Service)
• Complaints and appeals procedure

Instructions for crews 2022

Download these instructions as a pdf

You must be in your marshalling position by 11:50 (10 mins before the race start time). If you are late you may be given a time penalty. If you delay the start of the race you may be disqualified.

General advice and guidance

Safety is our primary concern. All crews should be familiar with these instructions and the Tideway Code. They should be capable of a 10 mile outing and be prepared for being on the water for up to three hours. Please dress appropriately for the conditions and carry water with you. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Equipment: you must ensure that your equipment is in full working order and meets the minimum standards specified in the BR Row Safe document. Control Commission checks will be in operation at boating locations and crews may be stopped on their return from the finish.

Environment: Please consider your environmental impact; use reusable bottles and cups. You must properly dispose of all rubbish, including taking this home if appropriate facilities are not readily available; instructions of Officials must be followed in this regard.

The course

Umpires and Observers will be posted along the course. Crews may be penalised or disqualified for infringements such as: contributing to a collision; impeding another crew; unsportsmanlike behaviour; failing to follow the navigation rules; not following the instructions of an Official.

Proceeding to the start

Crews are strongly advised to leave their boathouses in good time – allow 60 minutes to get to the start from Putney and 40 minutes from Hammersmith to take account of the large number of crews on the river. With up to 490 crews afloat, all are asked to be alert to the needs of other crews at all times.

Marshalling instructions

There are 6 divisions this year – 3 on Middlesex (yellow numbers on bow’s back) and 3 on Surrey (white numbers on bow’s back).

From 11:50 the centre of the river between CHISWICK BRIDGE and PUTNEY BRIDGE must be kept clear for crews racing. ONLY CREWS RACING AND PROCEEDING TO THE START UNDER MARSHAL’S ORDERS ARE ALLOWED TO PROCEED DOWNSTREAM AFTER 12:00. ANY OTHER CREW DOING SO MAY BE DISQUALIFIED. This means that any crew boating upstream of their marshalling position must allow themselves sufficient time to arrive downstream of their marshalling position and turn into the side facing upstream before 11:50. Any boat attempting to start other than in its correct position without having received instructions from a Marshal may be disqualified.

• Crews must be in their marshalling positions at 11:50 (10 minutes before the start)
• Once in the marshalling area, crews will be under Marshals instructions which must be obeyed at all times. Failure to follow any of the instructions – both these written instructions and verbal instructions from a Marshal – risks a penalty.
• No crew is to paddle at race or firm pressure in the marshalling area.
• While marshalling, crews must keep as close to the bank as possible. Boats must maintain their position against the tide and neither allow themselves to become bunched together or allow gaps of more than one length of clear water to open up between them.

Note: Last year’s works in the Middlesex arch of Barnes Bridge have now finished, but crews proceeding through this arch should be aware of the new footway under the bridge.
This applies to crews marshalling in Divisions 1, 3 and 5 as they proceed to the start, and crews boating from Cygnet / Barnes Bridge Ladies RC / Emanuel.

The start

This will be on time and without reference to absentees. There may be a short pause between Divisions at the discretion of the Chief Marshal. Time gaps will also be included between events, and the first boat in each event should not turn until express instructions are given by the Marshals.

Division One: Numbers 1 – 78, Middlesex (Yellow)

• On the Marshals’ instructions this division will take tops off and get ready to turn. Crews must not turn until ordered to do so by the turning Marshals.

Division Two: Numbers 79 – 163, Surrey (White)

• On the Marshals’ instructions this division will take tops off and get ready to turn. The Marshals will give the instructions to turn.

Division Three: Numbers 164 – 239, Middlesex (Yellow)

• Will be marshalled with crew 239 nearest Chiswick Bridge.
• Once Division One has turned, this division will immediately proceed upstream to take its place (upstream of Chiswick Bridge, with crew 164 nearest the bridge).
• On the Marshals’ instructions this division will take tops off and get ready to turn. The Marshals will give the instructions to turn.

Division Four: Numbers 240 – 329, Surrey (White)

• Will be marshalled with crew 329 nearest Chiswick Bridge.
• Once Division Two has turned, this division will immediately proceed upstream to take its place (upstream of Chiswick Bridge with crew 240 nearest the bridge).
• On the Marshals’ instructions this division will take tops off and get ready to turn. The Marshals will give the instructions to turn.

Division Five: Numbers 330 – 405, Middlesex (Yellow)

• Will be marshalled with crew 405 nearest Barnes Bridge.
• Once Division Four has moved above Chiswick Bridge, this division will immediately proceed upstream to take its place between Chiswick Bridge and Barnes Bridge.
• Once Division Four has started to turn, then this division will move into its place above Chiswick Bridge with crew 330 nearest the bridge.
• On the Marshals’ instructions this division will take tops off and get ready to turn. The Marshals will give the instructions to turn.

Division Six: Numbers 406 – 490, Surrey (White)

• Will be marshalled with crew 490 nearest Barnes Bridge.
• Once Division Four has moved above Chiswick Bridge, this division will immediately proceed upstream to take its place between Chiswick Bridge and Barnes Bridge.
• Once Division Four has turned, then this division will move into its place above Chiswick Bridge with crew 406 nearest the bridge.
• On the Marshals’ instructions this division will take tops off and get ready to turn. The Marshals will give the instructions to turn.

On being told to turn, each division will do so and proceed downstream in numerical order to the Starter in a launch moored to the Surrey buttress of Chiswick Bridge who will start them by saying “Number … Go!” Timing will begin at the University Stone and not when the Starter says “Go”. All crews will have a flying start. Boats are to be closed up until there is only one length of clear water between them at the start. On no account are boats to be overlapping when crossing the start line.

During the race

The Racing Course is defined by the Fairway as explained in The Tideway Code (i.e. the zone to the centre of the river between the large red and green navigation buoys).

Overtaking rule

Boats being overtaken MUST give way, and boats overtaking MUST do so safely. All crews have a responsibility to avoid collision. Note: this rule was updated in 2019 and is now consistent with other Tideway Head Races.

Racing crews must pass through the centre arches of Chiswick, Barnes Rail, Hammersmith and Putney Bridges.

To ensure a finish time is recorded and to avoid disqualification all crews must pass between the Middlesex side of the moored boats at Putney and the finish boat. As you approach the finish please be aware of the line of buoys separating you from returning crews (see map below).

The finish

After crossing the finish line all crews must proceed through Putney Bridge and Fulham Rail Bridge before turning. This is a most important safety requirement and failure to comply will result in disqualification.

Due to the ongoing Tideway Tunnel works, the arch of Putney Bridge closest to the Surrey shore (arch number 5) is closed 2018-2022. Therefore, crews will be required to return through the next arch (number 4), and pass in front of Putney Pier. The route behind the Pier will not be available for use. It is absolutely imperative that all crews obey the instructions of the Marshals in the finish area.

In the event of significant congestion in the finish area, it is possible that some crews will be requested to turn on to the Middlesex bank, and queue along the Fulham Wall until they can safely cross to Surrey. Crews should be prepared for this possibility, and follow the instructions of Marshals accordingly.

Abandonment plan

In case the race has to be abandoned at any time while crews are marshalling or racing the following procedure will apply and be strictly adhered to:

Crews, on hearing continuous short blasts on air horns and/or seeing Marshals waving red flags will immediately STOP. They will wait to be instructed on how and where to proceed by a Marshal. Crews must maintain a sharp lookout for other crews in the vicinity who may not have heard or seen the warnings and are continuing with marshalling or racing. If necessary they must move to avoid any collision with such a crew.

Marshals will wait for instructions from the Chief Marshal, who will be in constant communication with the Race Safety Advisor, and once the cause and location of the problem has been determined, will proceed to put the abandonment plan into operation.

Depending on where crews have boated, whether or not the race has started and the number of crews still being marshalled, crews may be asked to either paddle lightly downstream under the direction of the Marshals (if they have boated from downstream of the marshalling area), or turn on to one of the banks and wait to be sent upstream (if they boated from one of the clubs at or above Chiswick Bridge).

A crew may be asked to proceed downstream of all marshalling crews before turning on to one of the banks.

After the race: Returning to where you boated from 

• Crews returning to their boathouses must not impede racing crews and must accordingly give way to these crews.
• Returning crews MUST NOT overtake crews still marshalling in order to return to their boathouses. Penalties or disqualification will be awarded to crews that do.
• Crews returning to Hammersmith must await the direction of a Marshal stationed on the Surrey side above Hammersmith Bridge before crossing the river to the club houses on the Middlesex side.
• Crews returning to boathouses above Hammersmith Pier must await the instruction of the Marshal by St Paul’s Boathouse before crossing.
• Crews returning to Barnes, Mortlake, Chiswick and Kew (including those returning to Putney Town RC) must paddle up the Surrey side to opposite Chiswick Pier where they must await the direction of a Marshal before crossing to the Middlesex side. They must then paddle up the Middlesex side keeping well clear of crews racing and behind the last crew marshalling in Division Five.
• Crews returning to Putney Town RC should await the instruction of a Marshal and only return to Surrey at the normal crossing point by The Ship pub below Chiswick Bridge.

Crews may cross the river only at the designated zones and under the direction of a marshal. When crossing, crews should prepare to cross in the quickest route possible i.e. perpendicular across the river (not a diagonal) and with all crew members rowing sharp half pressure.

Equipment

It is your responsibility to ensure your equipment fully meets the minimum standards as specified in the BR Row Safe document and is in full working order. Control Commission inspections on returning crews will operate from the hard by Chas Newens Marine, just above Putney Pier. This hard is for inspections only and no crew will be allowed to disembark from this hard. Crews failing to stop for inspection when requested to do so may be disqualified. The Umpire will decide appropriate penalties for crews failing to comply with Row Safe; these will include disqualification for serious breaches. The British Rowing Boat Identification Code will be strongly enforced. This is also a Port of London Authority requirement and they will be in evidence during the race. Participating boats, including those from overseas, without identification may incur a time penalty. Further details can be obtained from British Rowing.

River closure

The river closure starts at 11:00 and covers the stretch of river between Putney Railway Bridge and Brentford Dock. The river reopens progressively from Chiswick as the last crew proceeds down the course and is completely reopen when the last crew crosses the finishing line. Outside these times and areas the normal rules of navigation should be followed.

Numbers

Your Empacher/bow number plate must be fixed to the boat with the screw provided. The paper numbers must be securely fastened at each of the four corners to the back of bow and the cox (if in a stern-loader) so as to be visible when the crew is racing and marshalling. Please ensure that numbers are not covered by hoods, ponytails or lifejacket straps.

All numbers will be delivered to the host club declared for each crew on BROE2. Numbers may be returned via your host club by agreement, but it is the responsibility of visiting clubs to make these arrangements with their hosts. Numbers may also be returned to Auriol Kensington Rowing Club or to 103 Brookwood Avenue, Barnes, SW13 0LU on race day or within seven days of the event. Responsibility for returning numbers rests with each competing crew. Empacher number plates that are not returned to the secretary undamaged within seven days of the race or are lost or damaged by whatever means will be charged at the rate of £30 per plate to the club.

Advice for steers and coxes

Obey marshals and umpires: The Marshals/Umpires are all experienced Tideway people and are there to assist you and ensure the safe and fair running of the race. Please obey their instructions at all times, although this does not exempt you from being responsible for the safe navigation of your boat.

If you are unsure where you should be during marshalling, do ask a marshal.

How the Tideway is different from non-tidal rivers: Because the Tideway is tidal, your boat is not stationary when you are easied. It could be moving at 3-4mph astern or ahead.

• If you are turning, do so promptly.
• Do not turn above (up stream of) an obstruction like a bridge, moored boat, island, buoy etc. unless you can complete the manoeuvre before being swept onto the obstruction by the stream. Remember that the stream direction on the Tideway changes depending on whether the tide is coming in or going out.
• When easied, remember that if you are not parallel with the bank you are likely to be swept about by the stream. As the tide falls the river becomes much shallower and shoals appear particularly towards the sides.

Turning to start your race: When your Division is ordered to turn, use the blades nearest the bank to row on with long strokes until the bows of the boat are in the centre of the river. Then complete your turn on the spot.

Finding the best racing line: If you are unsure of your best course at any point, it is as well to remember you will lose only a small amount of time if you are in the middle of the river but not quite in the stream. You will lose large amounts of time if you get in the slack water at the side.

Buoys on the course

There are large navigation buoys on the course, green on Middlesex and red on Surrey. Every year there are incidents where crews have hit one or several of these buoys. Crews are reminded that it is their responsibility to maintain a proper look-out. Crews are also reminded that as the tide flows out and river becomes lower, the buoys will shift position slightly. Thus the position of a buoy on the way to the start may differ when the crew is racing later. When racing, crews must pass on the outside of these buoys i.e. not between the buoy and the shore.

Navigation and safety rules

DURING the river closure crews should be in the middle of the river when travelling with the tide and as near the bank as conditions allow when travelling against the tide.

OUTSIDE the river closure follow the instructions at: https://www.pla.co.uk/assets/tidewaycodedigital.pdf

All steers and coxes must be familiar with the Rowing Code of Practice for the Tidal Thames between Putney and Richmond before boating at any time. This can be found on the link above.

Incidents whilst boating on the Tideway either during the race or otherwise should be reported through British rowing: https://www.britishrowing.org/reporting-a-concern/.

SAFETY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL

A CREW THAT IS UNAWARE OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS OR SIMPLY IGNORES THEM IS A DANGER TO ITSELF AND ALL OTHER CREWS.

Responsibility and competence

All crews must comply with the regulations laid down in the British Rowing Rules of Racing and adhere to the standards set out in British Rowing’s RowSafe. All Coxes and Steers should read and understand these.

All Coxes and Steers should also be familiar with the following videos:

Safety cover

Safety control will be located at Chiswick Pier.

Safety cover will be provided from approx. 11:00 until approx 14:30. Crews likely to be returning upstream after this time are advised to carry a mobile phone, together with the number of their host club, in case of an emergency.

First Aid

Ambulance and First Aid facilities are marked on the course map. They are available at:

Location	Post code	What3Words
Chiswick Bridge (University of Westminster)	W4 3UJ	sulk.best.scarcely
Chiswick Pier House (Corney Reach) (First Aid only)	W4 2UG	always.oval.stages
Hammersmith Bridge (Rutland Arms)	W6 9DA	horns.music.waters
Putney Embankment (opposite Putney Pier)	SW15 1LB	strike.shout.common

Rescue boats will be stationed along the course.

Anyone in need of assistance should notify a race official who will be able to summon help.

If a member of the crew should fall out of the boat it is essential that the crew should stop and help. Following crews must take avoiding action and alert rescue craft.

River Authorities

The PLA, Coastguard and River Police are aware of this event and will be in evidence on and off the water.

Looking after yourself

You must follow the standards for safety set out in British Rowing’s RowSafe.

You should be capable of completing a ten mile outing and may be on the water for three hours.

Hypothermia: Layers of clothing are more effective than one warm garment. The outer layer should be wind and waterproof.

Dehydration: Yes, even in November! Carry water with you for after the race.

Towpath/The public

In the interests of spectator and bystander safety, supporters and coaches must not follow the race on bicycles.

Owing to the particular safety considerations of this race, the use of megaphones and radio equipment is prohibited for all parties except race officials.