2008 MACRA Regatta

Strouds Run State Park-Dow Lake

Saturday May 3, 2008

Launching:  First call will be 45 minutes prior to race and second call will be 30 minutes prior.  There will be a Dock Master directing traffic off the dock.  You must have your Bow Number to launch.  Launch bow first.  Be quick and efficient on the dock.  After the race, you will wet dock at the beach area. 

Once launched, paddle slowly out of launching area following the left shore (Beach Side).  Stay close to shore and once out, turn up course.  Proceed up the lake on the left (beach) side.  Be cautious of races coming down. 

Traffic Pattern:  Know the traffic pattern.  Act promptly to any instructions a referee or Lake Marshall may give you.  It is for your own safety.  There are two spots where you need to enter the course in route to the start.  Be cautious when entering the course as you proceed to the start.  Be at the warm-up pool 10 minutes before your event time.  Once at the pooling area you may move counter-clock wise in the warm-up area. Be assembled and ready to enter the start area 5 minutes before your event time.   

Under no condition is any crew to row up the lake on the race course or on the right shore.  You must row up the left (Beach) side.

Course:  Once called to the line, there will be a floating start.  Follow the starting officials instructions on where to go and when.  Once facing down the course, aim for the lane markers on the shore.  Lanes are identified by numbers (1-5 From Left to Right) on land straight ahead of the start line. 

- The start is identified by a 2 Red Bouys on the outsides of the 5 lanes.  A set of lane markers are placed beyond the Turn line for you to aim at from the start.  

- The first 500 meters is identified by 2 Yellow Bouys on the outsides of the 5 lanes.

- The Turn which is 900 meters is the first line of Bouys across the course dividing the five lanes.  The outsides of the lane are marked with yellow bouys and the rest of the bouys are Red.  YOU MUST GO THROUGH THE RUN IN YOUR LANE OR A 5 SECOND PENALTY WILL BE ASSESSED.   

- 1500 meters is identified by 2 Yellow Bouys on the outsides of the 5 lanes.

- The Finish is the second line of Bouys across the course dividing the five lanes.  The outsides of the lane are marked with yellow bouys and the rest of the bouys are Red.  A set of lane markers are placed beyond the finish line for you to aim at after the turn.  YOU MUST FINISH IN YOUR LANE OR A 5 SECOND PENALTY WILL BE ASSESSED.

  After you cross the finish line, keep paddling to the left.  Once at least 100 meters past the finish line, stop and then turn around.  Proceed to the beach area and be cautious of races coming across the finish. 

Coxswains:

·         Be very cautious of races coming down the course and not interfering.

·         Listen to the Lake Marshall’s and Referee’s and react quickly.

·         Be drilled on starting procedures and pointing in crosswinds.

Food and drinks are available in the park concession building next to the boat ramp.  We are happy to have you participate in the 41st Annual MACRA regatta, and wish all the competitors luck. 

Thanks,

James P. Wamsley

MACRA Organizing Committee