Cox Safety Instructions

Masters in charge to please PHOTOCOPY THIS SHEET (BOTH SIDES) AND GIVE COPIES TO ALL COXES (preferably encapsulated to make it water proof)

THE SCHOOLS' HEAD 13.30[long start 14.00] 2008 – COX INSTRUCTIONS

Every Cox must be given a copy of these instructions by a master and a check made by suitable enquiry and, if necessary, simple oral examination that he/she has read them.

They must also have a copy of the Course map (Rule 2.2.3)

1. Before boating, Masters in charge make sure your coxes know:

If you are a Cox and in any doubt as to the course you should follow, you must ask your coach.

Coxes must wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid when afloat.

2. When afloat, remember that you are on a tidal river. The tide will be running out for about 1½ hours before the race and you must always check that you have enough water under your hull and bank-side blades. This is particularly important as you wait for the start, as the water level will be dropping beneath you, and rocks etc. may lie just below the surface of the water. Beware of the danger of being swept downstream onto Bridges. This is particularly important for Division 1 crews marshalling near Barnes Bridge.

3. When marshalling you must obey the marshals' instructions at all times. In addition, when you have reached your marshalling position, you must ensure that you do not drift up or downstream with wind and tide. Try to maintain your position relative to the bank. You may find that this requires almost constant paddling on if the wind and tide are strong and at appropriate points you can be in contact with the bank with one set of blades (say by a bush, tree or other support) and only need to paddle on with one or two persons on the other side. The closer you are to the bank, the less paddling will be required.

THE START

4. You should be ready to turn as soon as the boats ahead of you have done so. Tell your crew to remove tracksuits etc. in good time. . Do not leave tracksuit bottoms around ankles at any point. To do so is dangerous. Either the tracksuit is on or it is fully off. Turn when instructed by a marshal. Keep half a length of clear water between crews as you go to the start.

THE COURSE

5. The River is closed during the race so, contrary to the normal navigation rules, you are allowed to follow the deep water line in the middle of the river, which is the fastest course.

If you are being overtaken, you must move out of the way of the overtaking crew leaving them with the best stream, Any crew impeding an overtaking crew will be liable to a time penalty or to disqualification.

You must steer to the surrey [right as the cox views it] side of the green buoys and to the Middlesex (left as the cox views it) side of all the red (port) Fairway marker buoys and well clear (at least a boat’s width – 5 metres) of “Black” (now half-yellow) Buoy at the start of the Putney moorings. Crews taking a dangerous line and disregarding marshals` warnings risk disqualification.

If a member of your crew falls overboard, you must stop and help them. Shout loudly to any crews behind if you do. Following crews must take avoiding action. If help is needed for any reason, the crew should raise an arm and shout to the nearest marshal, safety boat or official to attract attention. All parts of the river are within vision of an official or marshal.

AT THE FINISH

6. The finish is marked with a banner on the wall on the Middlesex (North/Coxes’ left) side of the river. At the finish, you must keep paddling (for about 10 strokes) to avoid impeding following boats. You should then turn, as instructed by marshals, using the route on the Finish diagram.

Under no circumstances should you:

  • Cut through the line of moored boats
  • Turn so close to Putney Bridge that you might be swept onto the pillars of the Bridge
  • Cut into the queue of boats waiting to pass through the gap between Putney Pier and the line of boats.

All of the above actions could lead to a serious accident and your disqualification.

You should return upstream on the Surrey [Putney] side of the river, but you must keep well into the bank, away from other crews still racing. If you impede a racing crew you will be disqualified. If you are returning to points above Hammersmith, you may be temporarily held at below the Restricted Zone down river of Hammersmith Bridge.

CREWS RETURNING UPRIVER AFTER RACING MUST STAY CLOSE TO THE BANK AND STAY IN SINGLE FILE. DO NOT OVERTAKE! CREWS MUST NOT STOP TO PUT ON TRACKSUITS UNTIL AFTER BARN ELMS OR WHEN DISEMBARKING If stopping – move into the bank first, preferably in a “bay”.


Finish Diagram