Rule Categories

RACING RULES

The days racing is broken down into two categories - Local Events (for non rowing club members), and Club Events (for Rowing Club Members).

Local Events

There are several events for local Pubs, clubs, shops, firms and individuals to enter. ‘Local’ means within a 5-mile radius of Sunbury Cross. Members of Rowing Clubs are NOT allowed to enter these Local Only events - there are other ‘Club’ events for them.

These events include:

• Row for your Local

Two men rowing a skiff with a third person (cox) steering. This event is only open to PUBS within a 5-mile radius of Sunbury Cross. The course is approximately 200 yards.

• Local Mixed Doubles

Two people (one of each sex) rowing a skiff with a third person (of any sex) coxing. The same course is used – about 200 yards.

• Local Veteran Doubles

Two people rowing a skiff with a third person coxing on the same 200 yard course. The rowers must be at least 40 years of age, and there is a handicap based on age. There is no age restriction on the cox except minimum of 18 years.

• Dongola

Six people (including at least two ladies) kneeling down in a punt and paddling it ‘Red-Indian’ style, up the same 200 yard course. This is one of the most popular events at the regatta, and fancy dress is encouraged – there is a special prize for the best outfits.

Local Event Rules

Who can enter?

• The ‘Row For Your Local’ event is open to Public Houses ONLY, within a 5-mile radius of Sunbury Cross. The other events are open to all residents within a 5-mile radius of Sunbury Cross.
• All Dongola crews must have at least one practice session prior to the Regatta. The charge for this is included in the entry fee. Crews who do not practice will not qualify to enter on the day, and entry fees will not be refunded.
• No person may be in more than one team in the same event.
• No active member of a rowing or skiff club is eligible for any of the LOCAL events.
• Rowers and Dongola competitors must be at least 18 years old. Coxswains may be under 18 years old, and maybe male or female. They MUST weigh at least 8 stones – those weighing less must use dead weights to make up the deficiency.
• All competitors should be able to swim. There is a rescue boat; if your boat sinks, you are advised to stay with it until the rescue boat arrives.
• Except in Dongola races, crews must row on their allotted station Middlesex, Centre or Surrey. Crews deviating from their allotted station may be disqualified by the umpire.
• Crews must abide by their own accidents.
• The Umpires decision is final

Trophies

• The trophies for all the events are the property of the Regatta. They may be awarded into the custody of the victors, but must be returned to the Racing Secretary at the address above at least one month prior to next years Regatta.

Skiffing Regulations

• Local Skiff and Dongola races are held under Sunbury Regatta Rules. Races will be over 200 metres and will start at the green coloured buoy. The 50 metre buoy is coloured white.
• The sculling course is upstream, the finish being at the upstream end of the Regatta enclosure.
• The Middlesex and Surrey boundaries of the course are defined by marker buoys. Crews leaving the marked course may be disqualified – boats proceeding to the start must keep to the Surrey side of the buoys.
• There is a stagger in favour of the surrey stake boat at the start. The finish will have an equivalent stagger in favour of the Surrey station which will be marked by a buoy on the Middlesex side.
• Sculling races from the intermediate start point will receive a small stagger in favour of the Surrey station which will be marked by a buoy on the Middlesex side.
• When only two teams are racing, the Middlesex and Centre stations are to be used.
• Crews must carry colours on their vessels corresponding to their stations, as follows: Surrey – Red, Centre – White, Middlesex – Blue
• Any dead heat shall be re-rowed immediately over an approximate half course.
• Competitors must report to the Raft Stewards 20 minutes before the advertised time of races and be at the start two minutes before their race time – failure to appear at the start on time may lead to disqualification.
• Boats, sculls and paddles are provided by the Regatta for local sculling events and all Dongola races. These must be used without exception.
• Any crew involved in an incident within the navigation channel should stop immediately and render assistance where necessary until the Safety boat arrives. The incident must be reported to the Racing Secretary as soon as possible.
• The Committee reserves the right to alter this programme.

Dongola Regulations

• Races will be stopped and restarted if there appears to be a danger to people or boats. Crews will be restarted as close as possible to the position in which they were stopped.
• Any crew intentionally interfering with another will be disqualified, and the remaining crews restarted as close as possible to the position in which they were stopped.
• No action will be taken if boats unintentionally leave their station and interfere with other crews. This is part of Dongola racing.

Club Events

• Single Skulls

One person (male or female depending on class), skulling on a course length of 400 yards. This event is open to members of skiffing clubs affiliated to the SRA (Skiff Racing Association).

• Double Skulls

Two people (male or female pairs, or mixed pairs depending on class) and a cox, skulling on a course length of 400 yards. This event is open to members of skiffing clubs affiliated to the SRA (Skiff Racing Association).

• Dongolas

Six people (including at least two ladies) kneeling down in a punt and paddling it ‘Red-Indian’ style, up a 200 yard course.

• Skiff Dash

Double Skiffs (male or female depending on class), over a 400 yard course. Teams are made up from people without skiffing partners from their own club.

Club Event Rules

Skiffing Rules

• Club Skiff Racing is held under SRA Rules. Club Dongola races are held under Sunbury Amateur Regatta Rules. The 50 metre buoy is coloured white.
• The sculling course is upstream, the finish being at the upstream end of the Regatta enclosure.
• The Middlesex and Surrey boundaries of the course are defined by marker buoys. Crews leaving the marked course may be disqualified. Boats proceeding to the start must keep to the Surrey side of the buoys.
• There is a stagger in favour of the Surrey stake boat at the start. The finish will have an equivalent stagger, the amount will vary according to the prevailing conditions.
• Sculling races from the intermediate start point will receive a small stagger in favour of the Surrey station which will be marked by a buoy on the Middlesex side.
• When only two lanes are being used, the Middlesex and Centre stations are to be used.
• Crews must carry colours on their vessels corresponding to their stations, as follows. Surrey – Red, Centre – White, Middlesex – Blue.
• Any dead heat shall be re-rowed immediately over an approximate half course.
• Competitors must report to the Raft Steward at least 20 minutes before the advertised race time, and be at the start two minutes before their race time. Failure to appear at the start on time may lead to disqualification.
• Boats, Sculls and Paddles are provided by the Regatta for Local Sculling events and all Dongola races. These must be used without exception.
• Any crew involved in an incident within the navigation channel should stop immediately and render assistance where necessary until the Safety Boat arrives. The incident must be reported to the Racing Secretary as soon as possible.
• The Racing Committee reserve the right to alter this programme.

Dongola Rules

The following guidelines are issued to Umpires and Competitors

• Races will be stopped and restarted if there appears to be a danger to people or boats. Crews will be restarted as close as possible to the position in which they were stopped.
• Any crew intentionally interfering with another will be disqualified, and the remaining crews restarted as close as possible to the position in which they were stopped.
• No action will be taken if boats unintentionally leave their station and interfere with other crews. This is part of Dongola racing.

Notes to Captains

The following guidelines are issued to Umpires and Competitors:

• Entries & Fees

Entries should be made on the forms provided and must reach the Racing Secretary at the address below not later than noon on the Sunday before the Regatta, accompanied by a remittance for the entry fees. No entries will be accepted unless made in writing, with the entry fees enclosed. The Regatta Committee reserves the right to refuse or return or limit any entry.

• The Draw

The draw will take place at 1.00pm on that day at the address stated, and may be attended by Club Captains or their representatives.

• Times of First Races

A list will be sent to Club Captains. It is planned to race at five minute intervals and is therefore essential to keep to this very tight time-table.

• Multiple Entries

While every effort will be made to accommodate such entries, they are accepted only on the understanding that it may not be possible for competitors to have a rest period between races. Club Captains are asked to draw the attention of the Racing Secretary to such entries by circling the names

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