Basics Training for USRowing Officials USRowing Annual Convention December 6, 2008 “Basics” USRowing Referee Committee

Why officials??  two quotes from a recent Rowing News [15(9) Nov 2008]: o“Race without officials’ launches … does your memory of the most fun you’ve had racing involve … mandatory pre-race meetings, false starts, traffic pattern violations, officials’ launches, or regatta time? Probably not.” [Topher Bordeau, Eight Things Every Rower HAS to Do!] o“… in athletic competitions, it’s essential that every competitor lining up at the start has an equal chance to win. A level playing field keeps competition interesting: human effort gained through training and displayed by skill, motivation, and physical performance under pressure is the only thing that should determine who wins and who looses.” [Volker Nolte, A Shortcut to Nowhere] 2008 USRowing Annual Convention

Trained and certified officials provide the best assurance that competitors will consistently experience fairness (and safety!) in their racing  “consistent fairness” … othe rules are the same, everywhere othere is a common basis for the application of the rules othere is a common interpretation of the rules 2008 USRowing Annual Convention The standards for training and certifying licensed USRowing officials establishes the “level playing field” that serves as the foundation for fair competition.

The standards by which all USRowing officials are trained and certified are established through the Rules of Rowing 2008 USRowing Annual Convention  Rule 2-101: Primary Duties of Officials (*) oto provide for the safety of competitors and officials oto ensure that all crews have a fair and equal opportunity of winning or placing owhere a crew has been affected by unfair advantage or disadvantage … to restore fair racing conditions Our job is to always ensure that these fundamental intentions of the Rules are always applied and met.

The rules for rowing are really quite straightforward … 1.the equipment is safe & fair 2.“like competes against like” 3.start each race fairly 4.race fairly 5.judge the results with certainty 6.settle disputes equitably and fairly 2008 USRowing Annual Convention was each individual race, and the competition overall, fair and safe? basics training: there are specific procedures to accomplish each of the above “consistency” implies everyone using (about) the same procedures

Trained and certified officials …  have a “knowledgeable familiarity” with the Rules of Rowing  and, agree to heed to a common and consistent interpretation of the Rules  understand and respect the purpose of the competition itself, in addition to the motivations of all who take part in the competition  and will draw from a communal sense of “tribal knowledge” when confronted with judgment decisions in the application of specific rules in various venues and at various levels of competition 2008 USRowing Annual Convention Articles II through IV provide a means to an end, that being, competition that is consistently safe and fair … … to achieve this end, we start by establishing a common foundation of individual knowledge and understanding of how these rules are to be applied

Today’s objectives for basics training:  control commission oprocedures for weighing athletes and boats  referee opreparations and awareness at the start of each race oresponsibilities and awareness at the conclusion of each race 2008 USRowing Annual Convention

Control Commission: Weighing Competitors USRowing Annual Convention December 6, 2008 “Basics” USRowing Referee Committee

Lightweight Weigh-Ins - Rules  Men oAverage weight must be 155 lbs or less oMax weight is 160 lbs oIf juniors, max weight is 150 lbs  Women oMax weight is 130 lbs  Coxswains aren’t counted 2008 USRowing Annual Convention

Coxswain Weigh-Ins - Rules & Issues  For women’s events, min weight is 110 lbs  For men’s events, min weight is 120 lbs  Lighter coxswains must carry weight oClose to the coxswain’s torso oMay not distribute throughout boat oExtra weight “may” be checked by Starter and at the end of the race, by the following referee  Tools, cox-boxes, clothing don’t count 2008 USRowing Annual Convention

Weigh-Ins - Process & Issues  How often? Once each day  When? During the time prior to the event oOne-hour long oWindow starts no more than 2 hours before and no less than 1 hour before scheduled time of first race in which weight is relevant  In what? Racing uniform, without shoes  How many times can competitors weigh-in? oDoes it matter how heavy they are? How heavy is too heavy?  Do you round? NO!  Can a protest be filed? If so, when? 2008 USRowing Annual Convention

Weigh-Ins - Prepare and Manage the Area  Check scales oAre they correct? oUse certified weight to verify scales oIf more than one, equalize the scales  Check volunteers and equipment oLogs, stamp pads, stamps, wrist bands oClock, radio or other communication devices  Be ready when window opens!!!  Think finish-line decorum! oOne crew at a time, Have coxswain prepare paperwork oCoaches welcome, Quiet is beautiful, Prioritize “re-weighs”  De-mystify the process!!! oIf possible, post the weigh-in procedure for the crews to follow 2008 USRowing Annual Convention

Weigh-Ins - Respect the Competitors  Don’t have food lying around  Don’t coddle; don’t be officious  Don’t make weight jokes  Watch what you say and how you say it  Remember the competitors are preparing for a race, most may be very worried about not making weight, thereby disappointing the other crew members  Substitutes/spares can be included in the crew weigh-in group 2008 USRowing Annual Convention

Weigh-Ins - Communicate the Results  Mark with stamp or wrist band competitors who make weight  Report boats that don’t make weight  Report boats carrying ballast and amount  Who needs to know? oDockmaster oControl commission oFinishline Marshal oStart (and following referees) 2008 USRowing Annual Convention Inform the Chief Referee of a crew not making weight or missing the event weigh-in time

Control Commission: Weighing Boats USRowing Annual Convention December 6, 2008 “Basics” USRowing Referee Committee

Boat Weigh-Ins - Process & Issues  Rules are not asterisked  Limited guidance regarding process  National team trials and major championship regattas may have boat weigh-ins. These weigh-ins may apply to all crews or just the winning crews.  The equipment of any crew may be checked at any time during the regatta, and the LOC should provide a facility for a crew to check the weight of its boat prior to racing  The boat weigh-in requirements will be in the regatta packet and/or instructions to the competitors. Boat weighing after finals MAY BE determined by random draw or specific direction from LOC and Chief Referee 2008 USRowing Annual Convention

Boat Weigh-Ins - Process & Issues  The weight of a boat does not include oars, detachable loudspeaker, or electronic equipment oItems that are not permanently affixed to the boat are not included  Seats, rudders, skegs, fins, and riggers are included in the boat’s weight  If a crew’s equipment does not comply (on check weight attempt), use a permanent method to attach additional weight, then reweigh the shell  If a crew’s equipment is found not to comply, the crew will not be placed oThe Jury will decide whether to accept the race results without the offending crew oInform the Chief Referee at once when a shell does not make weight 2008 USRowing Annual Convention

Boat Weigh-Ins - Process & Issues  The following are minimum weights: Category Weight (lbs) Weight (kgs) 1x x, x x x USRowing Annual Convention

Boat Weigh-Ins - Prepare & Manage the Area  Check scales oAre they correct? –Use certified weights to ensure that they are correct oIf more than one, equalize scales  Ensure scales are steady enough to hold the weight of a shell  Think finish-line decorum oOne crew at a time oCoaches welcome  Do not announce boat weight oGive the weight to Chief Referee or Trials Director oGive the weight to the crew and/or coach 2008 USRowing Annual Convention

Boat Weigh-Ins - Respect the Competitors  Don’t make jokes about racing or the rules  Watch what you say  Be respectful. As referees, we should remember to respect all levels of competitors.  Boats not making weight result in medals being taken away; the person responsible may not acknowledge the issue  The thing to know is that you are there to ensure that everything is done within the rules and that the fastest boat, given all the conditions are equal, advances. The boat weight is included in keeping races fair. Weigh each boat on the same scale, or make sure you keep the scales equalized at all time. This will prevent any protests on the basis of boat weight 2008 USRowing Annual Convention

Preparing for the Start of the Race: What Should the Referee Do? USRowing Annual Convention December 6, 2008 “Basics” USRowing Referee Committee

Preparing for the Start  Be with the crews in the start area a few minutes early  Monitor the traffic pattern around and on the course  Help position crews into the platform or stake boats, if needed and requested by starter: oBe patient! oUse proper instructions and tone of voice  Identify each crew in the race  Double-check the progression of the upcoming race  Watch the crews, listen to commands  Check your equipment  Check for the other referee 2008 USRowing Annual Convention

Preparing for the Start  Are you standing up? – oInforms Starter YOU are ready to take the race  Is your watch clear?  Are your flags ready? Separated? Which one is where? (Red flag accessible, but hidden?)  Megaphone ready?  Do the crews have a problem with the start?  Are you holding on? (How well did you go over the start procedure with your driver?)  What happens if someone does not start? Broken equipment?  What might go wrong? What is the risk? 2008 USRowing Annual Convention