Traffic to the Start

Boats will launch and proceed down the Shrewsbury shore (see map).

Continue through second arch from left ( Shrewsbury shore ) of Rt 9 Bridge.

Proceed carefully down the Shrewsbury shore until you reach the marshaling area.

Do not enter the starting chute until told to do so by the start official.

Failure to follow instructions from the marshal at the starting chute will result in a 60 second penalty.

Keep orange buoys on starboard side at all times.

Racing Traffic

After the start, stay to the left of all Islands.

Racing crews must use the second arch from the left ( Worcester shore ) of the RT 9 Bridge. (see map)

Participants not passing between the finish line buoys are subject to disqualification from the race.

Boats must row clear of the finish area and proceed up to the RT 290 Bridge before crossing the lake and returning to the launching area.

Each crew is responsible for being at the starting line ten minutes before the start of their race.

Boats will be started in order by bow number at roughly 10 second intervals.

Late arriving boats may lose their starting position or be excluded at the discretion of the starter.

Every reasonable effort will be made to allow all participants a chance to compete.

Boats must pass through the starting buoys to be officially recognized.

Equipment: Bow markers must be picked up at The Registration Desk. All boats launching must have their bowmarkers securely secured. Bowmarkers will be collected after the race. There will be a $25.00 fee for each bow number that is not returned.

Bow clips: All boats must have a bow clip.

Bowballs: All boat MUST be equipped with a bow ball.

Heel straps: All boats MUST have heel straps securely in place at launch per USRA rules.

Penalties and protests:

1. Any boat being overtaken must grant the right of way to the upcoming boat. An overtaken boat should begin to yield no later than the point at which the overtaking crew is within one length of their stern.
2. Boats must proceed downstream within the restraints of course buoys.
3. Boats not observing course rules and/or impeding other crews shall be penalized at the discretion of the Regatta Officials.
• Missed Buoy: 10 seconds (each buoy missed)
• Interference: 60 second penalty (e.g. , not granting right of way, not clearing finish area)
• Reckless Endangerment: 120 seconds ( failure to follow instruction at the narrows, etc.)
• Passing through the wrong Arch at Rt. 9: 60 seconds ( Either traveling to the start or during racing)
4. Protests must be reported to the Dock master immediately upon docking and then submitted in writing to a USRA official. The protest must contain a concise description of the incident, bow numbers of all crews involved , names of witnesses, and the relief being sought. The signature of a member of the crew lodging the protest must be included as well as a check for $25 made out to the Quinsigamond Snake Regatta. The protest must be submitted to a USRA official not more than thirty minutes after docking.