For Competitors

Register on Regatta Central 

Join the "Team Contacts" e-mail distribution list for announcements about the 2012 Regatta

Competitor T-Shirt order on Regatta Central or use Order Form due March 16
Boat Line-up Form due at on-site check-in (available soon)
Waiver Form due at on-site check-in (available soon)

Directions and Trailer Parking
Park Rules

Beach Area Index - to see your assigned area at Crown Point (available early March)
Beach Layout Map - showing assigned areas and other event points of interest - this is meant to be a guide only.  Detailed map available on site.  Observe signs & markings on the grass. (available early March)

Lane Draws will be published mid March except collegiate races subject to seeding which will be published approximately one week before the regatta.

INVITATION
The Board of Directors of the San Diego Crew Classic Inc.® takes pleasure in inviting rowers from around the world to come to picturesque Mission Bay to compete in the 39th San Diego Crew Classic, Saturday and Sunday, March 31-April 1, 2012 

Register for the 2012 regatta, online at Regatta Central beginning at 8 a.m. PDT on November 1, 2011 -  late entry fee of $90 applies after February 1. 

• B or Second Entries are permitted in certain events if space is available.  If you submit a B entry it may be moved to the wait list if the event fills, so that first entries from other programs.  See more here
  
• Waitlists will be maintained when necessary.  You will be notified when an opening occurs.
• Paper Lineups and Waivers will be submitted on-site at check-in.  Staple your line up to waivers for each person listed.  You may enter these on Regatta Central and print them out, or use forms linked at the top of this page.  DO NOT MAIL 
  
• A list of hotel partners is listed under Hotels.  Be sure to mention the Crew Classic to get the lowest rate.  We strongly urge you to use only host hotels as they are important event sponsors.  By patronizing them you help us develop this source of revenue at no cost to you.
• For transportation and vehicle rentals, click on Travel Arrangements. Enterprise Rent-a-Car is an important sponsor with a large fleet of 12 and 15 passenger vans. Patronizing Enterprise for your car and van rental needs, at no cost to you, will benefit the event. 
• Boat sharing: Coaches interested in borrowing boats should contact their counterparts on the West Coast. The Crew Classic office may be able to provide assistance with contact information.
• If you must scratch, please do so promptly to allow the wait listed entry to make arrangements in a timely manner. Failure to scratch promptly could jeopardize future registration privileges.
• Entry fees are due at the time of registration.
• No refunds of entry fees.
  

INDEX of Participant Information
1.      Information Center Hours
2.      Coaches’ Packets
3.      Competitor T-Shirts
4.      Shell Trailer Parking
5.      Shell Storage & Staging
6.      Shelter Tents
7.      Slings, Bow Numbers, Bow Balls
8.      Shell Inspection
9.      Practice and Safety Rules
10.    Coaches Launches
11.    Weigh-ins
12.    Coaches and Coxswains Meeting
13.    Pasta Party
14.    Parking
15.    Rules
16.    Starts
17.    Progression to Finals

1.   INFORMATION CENTER OPEN ON-SITE 
           Thursday, 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
           Friday, 9:00 am-6:00 pm
           Saturday, 6:30 am-5:30 pm
           Sunday, 7:00 am to the close of competition

2.   COACHES’ PACKETS
ONLY THE COACH OR TEAM REPRESENTATIVE OF RECORD may pick up the packet for his/her crew at the Information Center. It contains wristbands that serve as entry passes, parking passes, maps of Mission Bay, a final schedule, WHERE YOU CAN PUT YOUR SHELLS ON THE BEACH, etc.
Packets will be available to those who have met the following conditions:

• Trophy, if won last year, return no later than noon Saturday. A team will not be allowed to check in or race if their trophy has not been returned.
• Lineups stapled to signed waivers for each person in the line up.
  See the top of this page or print yours from Regatta Central.
• Payment of all required entry fees, including penalty fees for late entries.
• Verification of eligibility for collegiate and club athletes - see bottom of line up form.
• Confirmation of age and date of birth for junior and master athletes.

3.  T-SHIRTS
Order at Regatta Central or use form.  Shirts will be available for pick-up at the Crew Classic Merchandise Tent on Friday, 12:00 pm-4:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am-4:00 pm.  There may be a few full price Competitor T-shirts for sale at the regatta.

4.  SHELL TRAILER PARKING
Please make trailer drivers and crews aware of parking plans and locked gates.
We are short of space. Help Regatta efficiency and access to your trailer by parking within lined spaces or as indicated by Regatta personnel.

         Driving Directions & Trailer Parking   Click here for a pdf

• Do not plan to deliver your trailer to the Park before Wednesday, except during daylight hours. There are gates that are locked overnight. Limited security begins at 5:00 pm Wednesday, March 27.
• No cars or vans in the Trailer Lot throughout the week.  After parking trailers, vehicles are required to disconnect and, during the week, use only paved parking lots.
• On Saturday and Sunday the trailer area gates will not be staffed for repeat entry/exit by towing vehicles. If these vehicles are to be used for transportation around town, they will need a vehicle pass and must be parked in the Crew Parking Lot.
• We anticipate the need for overflow parking of shells in the middle parking lot at Crown Point.
  

5.  SHELL STORAGE AND STAGING:
ALL SHELLS MUST BE LOCATED AS DESIGNATED ON THE Beach Map and Crew Area Index which will be posted in early March.  Our beaches are filled to capacity. Everyone’s cooperation is needed for smooth operations.  The map is meant to be a guide only.  Detailed map will be available on-site.  Place your boats within the designated area marked on the grass.

We anticipate using the area across the intra-park road, Corona Oriete, for shell storage again in 2012.

All shells are stored in, and launched from the Regatta site during the Regatta and are not stored on trailers. Shells should be in place no later than noon on Friday to aid inspections (see 8 below), which will occur all day.

• The map shows the general area where your shells are to be placed.
• When you arrive you will find each area is on grass, clearly marked with the letter you see on the map, and outlined in chalk.
• You may put your shells ONLY within your assigned chalked area, PARALLEL to the lines separating one area from another.  Please note that some are on the diagonal compared to adjacent paved areas.
  
• North Areas, near the Dirt Lot Trailer Parking, are on an extreme diagonal with an access aisle down the middle separating them.
• Bay Side Areas, on the bay side of the walkway and south of the Sheltered Picnic Area. are tandem with shells one behind the other.
• Please respect others by not obstructing the access aisles or rigging/unrigging in an interfering area or manner.

6.   SHELTER TENTS 
NO shelter tents allowed anywhere within the fenced venue. To save embarrassment, please be sure all alumni and parent groups are aware of this policy. See the “Alumni & Clubs” page on this web site for information about reserving a tent.

7.    SLINGS, BOW NUMBERS, BOW BALLS

• Slings and racks and bow numbers are not provided.
• No shells will be allowed to race without bow ball and bow number.
• Bow numbers must be stiff opaque plastic, not cardboard or other makeshift material, approximately 5 inch by 8 inch with a 6 inch number. A makeshift marker will not be acceptable.
• A limited supply of bow numbers will be available with a $20.00 exact change refundable deposit.

8.    SHELL INSPECTION
Beachmasters/Race Officials will inspect for condition and USRowing release/coxswain requirements before the Regatta. This includes placing a colored dot on the stern deck. Do not remove this mark before the shell’s last race.

• It is incumbent on all participating organizations to ensure that all equipment used in the regatta is in full compliance with USRowing Rules and prevailing safety standards.
• Ensure that older equipment used during the Regatta is in good repair before its arrival in San Diego
• Any shell in such disrepair as likely to sustain breakage under stress WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RACE

9.  PRACTICE AND SAFETY RULES  
Barring unforeseen circumstances, the racecourse will be in place by Thursday.

• During the week before the Crew Classic stay clear of motorboats installing the course, and refer to the published traffic pattern available in Coach’s Packet and posted at the Beachmasters' stand.
• On the weekend, the course will be available for practice on Saturday evening from one half-hour after racing to one half-hour after sunset.
• Traffic Pattern  Each crew is responsible for obeying all publicly posted or provided traffic patterns for this event.  Coxswains should carry a copy of the Mission Bay Traffic Pattern Map for the Crew Classic, available in Coach’s Packets, at the Information Booth, and posted at the Beachmasters' stand.
• Saturday and Sunday Mornings  No course practice Saturday or Sunday morning or Sunday evening. At these times and during racing, crews may practice in North Pacific Passage. Shells returning to San Diego boathouses or practicing elsewhere are subject to traffic control during racing, and must have an escort to cross the course. The Beachmaster will have updated information, and all crews practicing during racing should check out with the Beachmaster.
• When is the bay “closed”? It must be clearly understood that only the Fiesta Bay portion of Mission Bay is under the control of the San Diego Crew Classic and only from 6 am to 5 pm Saturday April 2 and Sunday April 3. Crews are responsible for their own actions or omissions and must be alert to general boat traffic at all times.
• Safety  Each crew must adhere to all water safety laws and safety practices. Flagrant safety violations will jeopardize a crew’s chance to participate in the Regatta. Rowing against the traffic pattern, disobeying directions of course monitors and practicing on the racecourse one half-hour after sunset are considered flagrant safety violations.

10.    COACHES LAUNCHES are permitted on the course during practice, subject to the rules and traffic patterns. The Crew Classic does not offer launches for hire but has made arrangements for special rates at Dana Landing, 2580 Ingraham Street, located across Ingraham Street from the Start Line. Contact Steve at 619-226-2929.

• Launches may not be launched from the shell launching areas but may be launched in the north cove, along the fence.
• As a courtesy to all competitors, it is requested that coaching launches refrain from motoring within the race course during practice sessions on Friday.
• To keep the beach clear for shell traffic, return launches to trailers by Friday evening and keep them there for the weekend.
• Loose or unattended launches will be impounded at 4:30 am Saturday.

11.  LIGHTWEIGHT AND COXSWAIN WEIGH-IN
All weigh-ins will take place in the weigh-in tent next to the Information Center.

• Competitors must be dressed in rowing attire without shoes.
• Weights are stated in Weight Requirements.
• Only one weigh-in will be necessary for each individual.
• Coxswains must supply their own bags; sand is available.
• Weigh-in times for each lightweight event and coxswains will be posted and must be observed.

      Coxswain Weigh-in
            Friday, 2-4 pm and 5-5:30 pm
            Saturday  6:15-10 am
            Sunday 6:30-9 am

      Lightweight Weigh-in – all athletes must be present for the boat to weigh-in
            Collegiate LWs (if offered) Friday at 3 pm
            Junior LWs Saturday 9-10 am

12.    MANDATORY COACHES AND COXSWAINS MEETING

• Friday March 31, 4:00 pm THERE IS ONLY ONE MEETING. Attendance of coaches is MANDATORY
• Coxswains should also attend
• A brief Coxswain’s Orientation covering alignment procedures will be conducted immediately following. All coxswains are strongly urged to attend. 
  
• Jessop-Whittier and Copley Cup stipends will be distributed at this time

13.  FRIDAY NIGHT
Beer Garden on the Shore open 3-7 p.m. with food, entertainment and award winning local craft brews.
PASTA PARTY for Crews, Coaches and Friends. 5:00-7:00 pm in the Big Tent  $10.00 donation per person, $4 under 12.

DURING THE REGATTA

14.  PARKING & FREE SHUTTLE: Each crew will receive a limited number of parking passes (one per boat).  We distribute many more passes than there are parking spaces, so PLEASE USE PARKING PASSES AND CAR POOLS AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE.  To help relieve the limited parking at Crown Point, there will be free parking with free shuttle service at Ski Beach on Vacation Island. Click here for a map. It is reached by going south on Ingraham Street and turning east at the next light.

15.  USROWING RULES OF RACING, 2012, as modified by Crew Classic documents, will be in force.  Please note that electronic media based testimony from other than Regatta approved devices will not be accepted in any Jury hearing.

16.  STARTS For 2000 meter races, there will be stake boats for starts. Crosswind with tidal current is possible. Be skilled in sculling the bow into position as stake boat personnel cannot hold the sterns of boats maneuvered into position by taking a stroke.

17.  PROGRESSION TO FINALS

• 2 heat events: the top three finishers to the Grand Final and the next three to the Petite Final (if scheduled). Lane assignments will be as follows:  coin toss or random determination for which heat winner will be in lane 1, winner of other heat in lane 2, continuing with lane assignments based on the original coin toss or random determination, with 2nd places in lanes 3 & 4, 3rds in lanes 5 & 6
  
• 3 heat events: the top two finishers to the Grand Final and the next two to the Petite Final (if scheduled), and the next two to the Third Final (if scheduled).  Lane assignments as follows:  Coin toss or random determination for which heat winners will be in lanes 1, 2 & 3, continuing with lane assignments based on the original coin toss with 2nd places in lanes 4, 5, & 6.

18.  SUNDAY BRUNCH: The “Classic Brunch by the Bay“ is on the knoll at the finish line. Elegant brunch, hosted bars, favors, raffle, and auction. $175.00 per person, advance reservations necessary. Call the office 619-225-0300 for an invitation.