1. SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY. Watch for flotsam, jetsam, other water traffic, other crews racing and other crews paddling to the start-line. Watch for sailboats leaving marinas. We will not stop, postpone, or re-start races because of equipment breakage, etc. Use your head! Do not endanger your crew or other crews. The Oakland Estuary is a navigable waterway. Don't play chicken with the other boats; don't risk your valuable boats and your invaluable crews simply to save a second or two. If your boat swamps, stay with your boat; don't swim away from your boat. Boats must observe inland rules when encountering other water traffic. Faster boats may overtake slower boats on either port or starboard side of a slower boat. Slower boat must move aside to allow faster boat to pass.

2. The course. Six (6) kilometers from the High St. Bridge to Jack London Square. Race down the Oakland side of the Estuary; paddle to the start-line on the Alameda side of the Estuary. High tide at the High St. Bridge will be at 9:00 AM, followed by ebbing tide, i.e., in the direction of the races.

3. Launch from Jack London Square at least 90 minutes before the race time. From the grass field, walk your boat down Water Street to Jack London Square. The dockmasters will direct you onto the docks. Take your oars to the dock-site before you bring your boat. Do not store your boat at the dock-site. After leaving the docks, row down the Estuary (in the direction of San Francisco) 100 meters, then row quickly to the Alameda side of the Estuary. Watch for crews racing down the Oakland side of the Estuary.

4. Arrive at start-line 15 minutes before your race. As you paddle through the Alameda side of the High Street bridge, report in to the call-up launch. Follow the instructions of the call-up launch and the start-launch. You will be brought to the start-line by the call-up launch. The start-launch will start boats at 10-15 second intervals. You will be disqualified if you arrive at the start-line after the last boat in your race.

5. Elapsed time. Crews will be timed as they (i) pass throught the Oakland side of the High Street Bridge and (ii) cross the finish-line. Assure accurate times by making sure that the timers see your boat number.

6. Course buoys. As you pass the start-line, look for the buoy anchored between the High Street and Fruitvale Bridges. Race on the Oakland side of the buoy. You will be disqualified if you row on the Alameda side of the buoy. Race through the Oakland side of the Fruitvale Bridge. You will be disqualified if you race through the Alameda side of the Fruitvale Bridge. As you row through the Park Street bridge (the third and last bridge) look for the buoy anchored in the Estuary, marked with red balloons. Row on the Oakland side of the buoys. You will be disqualified if you row on the Alameda side of the course buoys.

7. THREE WAYS TO DISQUALIFY YOUR BOAT: Your boat will be disqualifed if (i) you race through the Alameda side of the Fruitvale Bridge, (ii) you race on the Alameda side of any course-buoy, (iii) you steer unsafely or in an unsportsmanlike manner.

LMRC Home | Club Information | Membership Information | Rowing Lessons
General Rowing Information | Upcoming Events & Programs

Last updated: 04.08.98:

Copyright © 1997-2000 Lake Merritt Rowing Club