Committee of the Dee      Aberdeen Head of the River - Map and Instructions    

RULES for Aberdeen Heads of the River races           click here for a high resolution (.pdf) map

Time Penalties
(a) Crews must be clear of the jetty at least 15 minutes before the start of their division.
(b) Crews must be downstream of the QE2 Bridge at least 5 minutes before the start of their division.

Any crew breaching either of these rules will be awarded a 15 second time penalty at the end of the race. Only one penalty will apply even if both rules are broken.
The committee may waive this rule in the second division but it will be strictly enforced in the first division. Please note that there will be a lot of congestion at the launching areas and it is your responsibility to allow for this and boat in plenty time for your event.

1. All crews must be on the water at least 20 minutes before the start of their division.  Please note that the launching area will be very busy during this time.
2. All crews must collect their bow slot numbers from the ABC Boathouse before racing (£5 deposit per number). Numbers must be visible while racing.
3. If veteran crews wish to be considered for a handicap (advantage) they must intimate their veteran category in writing to the secretary before starting their race.
4. Crews will gather in order on the City Bank above the Victoria Bridge with the lowest number nearest the bridge.
5. On the order from the marshal, all crews will strip off and then move down through the Victoria Bridge.
6. On command, crews will turn round the moored starting launch by pulling harder on stroke side and holding on bow side. Make a tight turn rather than spinning.
7. The southernmost (Boathouse) arch of the Victoria Bridge is out of bounds.
8. The southernmost (Boathouse) arch of the QE II Bridge is out of bounds.
9. The Northernmost (City) arch of the Railway Bridge is out of bounds.
10. Crews being overtaken must give way to faster crews and move to the outside of bends.
11. At the end of the race, all crews must finish on the South (Boathouse) side of the river. They must then move to the marshalling area on the North (City) side of the river. Crews will only be allowed downstream when instructed by the marshals - this rule is important for safety reasons and crews violating it may be liable to disqualification.
12. The race will be held under S.A.R.A. rules