General Regulations

1. That the minimum and maximum fine for infringement of any of the Rules in this book (unless otherwise specified and subject to Rule 2) be ten and fifty pounds respectively.
2. 1. That blatant and/or wilful rule breaking may be penalised by a fine greater than fifty pounds, at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
   2. That in exceptional circumstances and/or for repeated rule breaking individuals and/or the offending crews may be further penalised by being banned from forthcoming CUCBC events.
   3. That the Boat Club concerned may appeal to the Senior Committee against such a penalty, at least three of whose members should convene within three days to decide the appeal (not including the Chief Umpire, if this person is a Committee member, should a conflict of interest arise during CUCBC races) and shall either endorse the penalty or have it lowered to the usual ten to fifty pounds range.
   4. That during events, at least three members of the Senior Committee shall convene as soon as is practically possible and that until such an appeal is heard the decision of the Chief Umpire shall stand.
3. That reports of any infringement of CUCBC rules must be submitted to the CUCBC Executive Committee within 48 hours of the incident concerned.

Restrictions on Use of the River

5. 1. That no boat may be on the water in the dark, save University crews who, when with a coach and using lights in accordance with BR regulations, may row up until half an hour before lighting down and up to half an hour after lighting up.
   2. That the defined "Hours of Darkness" for the CUCBC be as shown on the "Hours of Darkness" page.
   3. That no boat may be on the water without lights during the fifteen minutes AFTER lighting down or BEFORE lighting up.
6. 1. That, under the penalty of every member of the crew being disqualified from training and all CUCBC races during that term, no college rowing be allowed on the Cam before 11am on a Saturday or Sunday, save for a recognised Cambridge Rowing Association (CRA), BR or CUCBC race.
   2. That University crews shall keep their use of the Cam before 11am on a Saturday or Sunday to a minimum, and inform the CRA prior to all such use.
7. 1. That no boat be allowed on the water when the CUCBC Flag is Red.
   2. That only University crews with the specific permission of one of their senior coaches and tub pairs may row when the CUCBC Flag is Red/Yellow.
   3. When the flag is yellow, only the following boats are allowed on the water:
      1. University Crews, first boats and tub pairs.
      2. during Lent Term, in addition to the crews allowed by 7.c.i, any other crews in the first and second divisions of the Lent Bumps.
      3. during Easter Term, in addition to the crews allowed by 7.c.i, any other crews in the first and second divisions of the May Bumps.
      In the case of tub pairs Rule 13 applies and, in addition, the person steering must be competent and experienced. Under Yellow Flag conditions, members of crews permitted to boat under these regulations may do so in small boats, provided that they have the express permission of their Club Captain and/or Boatman, and subject to the conditions outlined in Rule 14.
   4. When the flag is yellow/green, only University Crews and senior crews may boat. Notwithstanding the above, tub pairs may still be taken out, where Rule 13 applies and, in addition, the person steering must be competent and experienced. No novice cox may steer a boat under these conditions. Senior rowers may boat in small boats, provided they have the express permission of their Club Captain and/or Boatman, and subject to the conditions outlined in Rule 14.
8. 1. That the CUCBC Executive Committee shall introduce restrictions on the number of boats that may be on the water between Lighting Down and 0830hrs on Mondays to Fridays in Full Michaelmas and Lent Terms as necessary. These restrictions will be enforced by the Early Morning Marshals.
   2. That on the date from which restrictions are introduced until further notice, each College Club will only be permitted to have two boats on the river at any one time in the restricted period.
   3. That this rule will apply to IVs and VIIIs but not to singles, pairs or tub pairs and will only apply during the hours stated above.
   4. That fines for a breach of this rule will accrue to the Club, rather than the crew concerned and that any Club in breach of this rule will be fined £50 for a first offence, £100 for a second offence, a training ban of one week for the whole Club for a third offence and disqualification from all events organised or insured by CUCBC (including the Lent Bumping Races) in that Term for any subsequent offence.
   5. That the normal appeal procedures will apply to penalties incurred as a result of breaching these rules.
9. In any given term, College rowers may train with a non-college club provided that training on the water is done during college hours (for example, whether that be weekend hours, evening hours, flag, etc.). In addition:
   1. College rowers may substitute into up to four outings with a non-college club outside of college hours in any given term without rendering themselves ineligible for CUCBC competitions. Each such outing (individual, non-college club, date and time) must be declared on the entry form of any crew entering a CUCBC competition which comprises one or more rowers who have rowed outside college hours during that term.
   2. Any College rower who rows outside of college hours more than four times, or who has rowed outside of college hours in an outing which has not been declared on the entry form will render themselves ineligible for CUCBC competitions that term.
   3. College coxswains may cox for non-college clubs at any time without rendering themselves ineligible for CUCBC competitions.
10. As to novices:
    1. That no novice crew be unaccompanied.
    2. That the first outing of a novice eight must be with an experienced cox, not a novice.
    3. Senior crews must be below Chesterton by novice boating time.
    4. No novice crew may be on the river before 7.30am or within fifteen minutes of lighting down, which ever is later.
11. As to evening rowing in the Easter Term:
    1. That there be two periods during these evening hours, the earlier will be from 5.30pm until 6.30pm and the later from 7.00pm until 8.00pm and that crews in the first period should be above Chesterton by 7.00pm and crews in the second period should not be below Chesterton before 6.30pm.
    2. That there shall be a weekly alternation such that on one week only Women's Eights will row in the earlier, and only Open Eights in the later period, and the next week the Open Eights shall row in the earlier, and the Women's Eights in the later period. For the purposes of this rule, a Women’s Eight shall be any eight which intends to enter the Women’s Divisions in that term’s May Bumps and which consists of no more than two oarspersons who are not eligible to enter the Women’s Divisions, and an Open Eight shall be any eight which consists of no more than two oarspersons who will be entering (as a rower) the Women’s Divisions in that term’s May Bumps.
    3. Where a crew boats in the Open hour but the Executive Committee expect that they intend to race in the Women's divisions of May Bumps, the Executive Committee shall contact the club in question to confirm whether the crew will be entering the Open or the Women’s divisions. If the latter, the “Boating at an illegal time” set fines shall be applied.
    4. That crews may train beyond Baitsbite Lock during either period, but must be below Baitsbite Lock before 5.30pm or 7.00pm as appropriate, such that no crew may be between Chesterton and Baitsbite Lock during the period which is not allocated to them.
    5. That only University eights, College first eights, and any other eights in the first two divisions of the CUCBC May Bumps may train below Chesterton Footbridge during these times.
    6. That the exception to Rule 11.e is that IVs made up of normally eligible crew members may use the river during the changeover period for the purposes of going over Baitsbite lock, provided they are clear of the restricted section of river by 7.00pm and do not return to it until after 8.00pm.
12. 1. That there be only light-pressure paddling between Chesterton footbridge and Jesus Lock except for the progress of the Fairbairn Cup Races, and for bung starts during the two days prior to the Lent and May Bumps.
    2. That crews pay due care and attention to moored craft and to junior & novice crews in this area.
    3. That crews should avoid unnecessary stopping and spinning above Chesterton.
13. That no tub pairs be allowed below Chesterton footbridge except for a race recognised by the CUCBC, or in the first four weeks of the Michaelmas term, where tub pairs may be allowed as far as the P&E spinning zone.
14. 1. That Coxless IVs and quadruple sculls require a banksteerer at all times, inside and outside Full Term.
    2. That pairs and doubles may go out without a banksteerer only if the steerer has at least a year's experience of steering small boats, and the permission of the club captain and/or boatman has been given. In addition, during Full Term, pairs and doubles must have a banksteerer outside the hours of 9am to 4pm, or 30 minutes before lighting up if earlier.
    3. That single sculls may go out without a banksteerer at any time.
    4. That no boat be used for a rowing outing on the Cam without its full crew and a coxswain if appropriate, being present in the boat at the commencement of the outing.
    5. That all coaches of small boats (pairs, double and single sculls, but not tub pairs) should carry a throwbag or line and a 'space blanket.' [NB. Rowers intending to go out in small boats as a beginner (i.e. they have had less than ten outings in a small boat) are strongly advised to undergo a capsize drill and swim test as soon as practicable. Such rowers must have a banksteerer at all times, as required by Rule 14.b, when using pairs and/or doubles. They are also strongly advised to have a banksteerer or coach for their first ten outings if they are using a single scull.]
15. That in the event of the Cam being unsuitable for the purposes of College rowing, College crews shall not train elsewhere until after an Extraordinary CUCBC Meeting, to be called within 48 hours.

Rights of Way

15. That below Baitsbite Lock and above Chesterton footbridge each boat keep to its right, the downstream boat giving way to the upstream boat.
16. 1. That boats going downstream below Chesterton keep to the non-towpath side of the river until after rounding Ditton Corner, when they cross over to the towpath side at the sign.
    2. That after rounding Grassy Corner they cross back to the non-towpath side at the sign, and keep to that side as far as Baitsbite Lock.
17. 1. That boats going upstream below Chesterton keep to the towpath side until they have reached the middle of the Gut, when they cross over to the non-towpath side, taking the inside of Grassy Corner.
    2. That at the top of the Plough Reach, they cross back to the towpath side (taking the inside of Ditton Corner) and keep to that side all the way up to the Boathouses.
    Note that there are notice boards on the banks to mark the crossing places.
18. That if there be any danger of collision, the boat going downstream give way to the boat coming upstream.
19. That all boats (whether going upstream or downstream, and whether rowing or paddling) give way to University crews and Trial Eights, subject to rule 20 and general navigation law.
20. That no boat has any rights of way when on the wrong side of the river.

Easying and Overtaking

21. That when a boat easies it must draw close into the bank to allow others to go by.
22. 1. That no boat may easy on any corner if it is possible to go on, unless preparatory to rowing from the bottom of the Long Reach at Ditton.
    2. That no boat may overtake on a corner or when it cannot see that it is safe to do so.
23. That a slower boat being overtaken must give way (pulling in if stationary, or if moving, pulling closer to the bank if possible) to allow a faster boat to pass.

Spinning

24. Unless otherwise required for safety reasons, or acting on the instructions of an umpire during a race, boats may only spin at Jesus Lock, the Penny Ferry, between the two posts at the bottom of the Long Reach, and by the sign in Baitsbite Reach.
25. When necessary, boats must queue to spin, and no boat may spin without ascertaining that there is no other boat coming which might be impeded. At the Baitsbite Spinning area and in green flag conditions only, two crews may spin in tandem, providing they do not impede other crews and move off promptly.
26. That during the ten days preceding the Lent and May Bumps and the week preceding the University Fours Races, no boat may spin between the Little Bridge and Peters Posts except at its own risk.
27. Once spun, boats must move off immediately or, if pulling on on the Long Reach or Baitsbite, may only do so above the spinning area.

28. In Michaelmas term only, novice boats travelling downstream only (i.e. from Jesus lock) may spin between Caius and Christ's boathouses, with priority given to boathouses between the spinning zone.

Rowing Below Baitsbite Lock

28. That rowing below Baitsbite Lock be restricted to University crews, first boats, and any other boats in the top two divisions of the CUCBC May Bumps only.
29. Crews or individuals shall not boat or row with their College club between the Fish and Duck marina and the Adelaide, except with the express permission of the relevant University President(s).
30. That in the Michaelmas and Lent terms no boat may paddle below Baitsbite Lock between 8.30am and 1.00pm or after 4.30pm on any week day.
31. That there be no racing between boats below Baitsbite, and that any training at race pace be kept between the last downstream Horningsea mooring and the Clayhithe Bridge.

Noise and Early Mornings

32. All crews must ensure that they do not create unnecessary noise anywhere on the river before 7.30am.
33. In particular, loud hailers may not be used anywhere on the towpath, and the use of cox-boxes, and coaching from the bank should be kept to a minimum before 7.30am. Coaching from the bank above the railway bridge is not permitted at all before this time. CUCBC may stop coaches from accompanying crews from the boathouses to the Penny Ferry for breaching this rule.
34. 1. That the rules of the river, and especially Rules 32 and 33 will be enforced by a system of early morning marshals. The system shall operated by the Executive Committee and the College Boat Clubs will be required to provide marshals according to a rota. Crews violating Rules 32 and 33 will be fined and may be banned from the river. Guidelines for early morning marshals can be found here.
    2. That the marshals shall also enforce the early morning traffic restrictions described in Rule 8.

Ely

Under the terms of the CUCBC Constitution, the CUCBC has no regulatory powers over College Clubs when they are using the Ouse at Ely. However, clubs are reminded of the following: A CUBC Rule which was re-affirmed in 2001, bans rowing by College crews on the Adelaide course and on the River between Ely and the Fish and Duck PH without the express permission of the CUBC Men's and Women's Presidents. Any clubs who do receive permission to row at Ely are reminded:

• The river is not regulated by the Cam Conservators and other licences may be required.
• Permission to boat is required from the landowner whose land you are boating from.
• If using a launch, the BR Safety Code provisions regarding launches must be followed.

Penalties

The fining system recognises the failure of crews or individuals to assist in the safe and smooth running of rowing activities and applies "without fear or favour" to all clubs, including University crews on the Cam, and to all crews within any club. Part of the reason for variable fines, and increasing scales for repeat offences, is to recognise that no club or crew, however junior or senior, should expect to commit a serious offence without the knowledge that the penalty will be painful either in financial or training terms. Captains of senior clubs must recognise and accept that they have a responsibility to set an example in terms of behaviour, and cannot expect to be immune to penalties. Captains must also make sure their coaches are aware of the importance of obeying the rules. University (including trials) crews using the Jesus Lock to Bottisham section of river must recognise that although allowances are given in the rules to assist their training, they are subject to the same rules and penalties (particularly in relation to safety matters) as anyone else. Policing infringements is difficult. The system relies on emailed and written report forms being sent to the Executive Committee naming two witnesses (in all cases confidentiality is maintained), or individual reports of the Executive Committee members, or other recognised experienced users of the Cam (where reports can be investigated). The following list is designed to be a summary of the penalties which are applied for offences during normal use of the river, and during bumping races. This list does not necessarily cover all instances. Where it does not, discretion lies with the Senior Treasurer and Chairman of CUCBC. All fines are open to appeal, as defined in Rule 2.

Normal Training Periods

The prime object of these penalties is to ensure that individuals and clubs adopt behaviour that will lead to the safe use of the River Cam and consideration for other river users.

Set Fines

• Boating at an illegal time (i.e. in darkness (Rule 5), wrong hour in summer (Rule 10), illegal crew to Clayhithe (Rule 28), training away from Cam before permission given (Rule 14)). £25 initially, doubling on second offence for that crew (in the term), training ban for third offence, race ban for any further offences. Boating at an illegal time at the weekend (Rule 6): £50 initially, doubling on second offence for that crew (in the term), training ban for third offence, race ban for any further offences.
• Novice crew failure to go with coach (or experienced cox as required by Rule 9). £50 (safety offence), one week ban (repeat offence).
• Leaving boathouse without bowball or lifejacket/buoyancy aid. £50 (safety offence).
• Obstructing river (e.g. obstructing crews when spinning between Little Bridge and Peter's Posts, failing to pull into the bank for crew chats, slower crew - including power water work - not giving way to faster if safe and possible to do so. £25.
• No current insurance policy. No club crews or individuals allowed to boat until situation rectified and evidence presented to the CUCBC.
• Firm pressure above Chesterton (except when allowed as defined by Rule 12.a). Crews attempting starts, half- or proper full pressure receive a £25 fine for the first offence, £50 for a second time in one term, and a one week training ban (including any races) for third offence.
• Failure to provide an Early Morning Marshal (EMM) £25 for first offence, £50 for subsequent offence; Late arrival of EMM £10; Incompetent EMM £20; Failure of EMM to return report, bib and/or clipboard £10.

Variable Penalty Fines

• Steering incorrectly, in particular taking the wrong side on blind corners even if no accident caused, £25 - £50.
• Obstructing crews dangerously, or causing an accident (e.g. on a corner, or by being on the wrong side of the river elsewhere). £50 minimum, with up to a variable length training ban or complete ban of the offending crew from river, depending on the seriousness of the offence. (Also remember that there are possible legal and insurance implications if anyone is damaged or hurt by a crew "in the wrong", especially if victim is not in a College/University club. There is nothing to stop any individual hurt, or club with equipment damaged, from taking legal action against the club/person concerned, or placing the matter with the police).
• Over-zealous "cutting up" of other crews. Notwithstanding a slower crew's obligation to give way, failure to take sufficient avoiding action by the overtaking crew can lead to a dangerous situation (will generally take the form of rowing through other crews' blades by crews trying to do pieces) £25 - £50.
• Failure to take account of prevailing weather (e.g. fog/wind) in the type of training done. In particular this will apply to "yellow flag" days and to crews who have boated before flags are raised. Only applicable in case of accident, but then £25 upwards to training ban. Deliberately boating after flags raised, £50/one week ban.
• Abusive or threatening behaviour by anyone in a crew or coaches on the bank, whatever circumstance (i.e. who is in the wrong may influence the penalty, but will not negate it). £25 upwards, and may include temporary or permanent bans on individuals (including coaches) and/or crews.
• Excessive noise before 07:30. £20 - £50 initially, doubling on second offence for that crew (in the term), training ban for third offence, race ban for any further offences.

General

This section concerns all CUCBC-run races.

1. 1. That only resident bona fide student members of the University who are also members of the CUCBC be eligible to row or steer in CUCBC races, except as specified in Regulations for Racing, Rule 2. For the purposes of this regulation a bona fide student is defined as one who is in statu pupillari and is therefore:
      1. a matriculated member of a College; and
      2. currently reading for a recognised degree of the University; and
      3. fulfilling the University residence requirements in both time and place.
   2. That other members of the University who are Fellows or Employees or elected or appointed Members of a college may compete for that college only after approval by the Executive Committee and that such approval must be sought within the first two weeks of term. Such rowers or coxes are defined as of 'exceptional status', and the permission stands only for the term in which it is granted. Any person only employed by a college as an academic supervisor is not eligible as an Employee of the college.
   3. That such other 'exceptional status' members of the University will not normally be allowed to compete in their College's 1st boat in the Lent or May Bumps, unless the College has only one boat, or in the top Division of the University Fours. That no more than two such other 'exceptional status' members of a college will be allowed to compete in any boat, and up to a total limit of two for that college in each of the Open and Women's races. In the May Bumps, the total limit will be four for each of the Open and Women's races. Exceptional cases (such as Fellows boats) may be permitted at the discretion of the Executive Committee. See Rule 4.c. for details of members of more than one college.
   4. That postgraduate members of the University are eligible to compete for their College in CUCBC races until the end of the term in which they sit their viva voce or other final examination; this would normally be their first viva voce examination, except in cases where resubmission and a second viva voce are required by the University authorities, in which case the CUCBC should be satisfied that there has been no unreasonable delay inserted and in particular that Regulation 1a(iii) is satisfied. For the purposes of deciding eligibility, viva voce examinations completed during any period between University terms are considered as the previous term.
2. 1. That bona fide degree students at Anglia Ruskin University (rowing as Anglia Ruskin Boat Club, formerly CCAT) be deemed to be equivalent to a College.
   2. That for the purposes of the Lent and May Bumping Races the Clinical Medical and Veterinary Schools may also compete.
   3. Members of the Clinical Medical and Veterinary Schools may compete for their College or for their School until the end of the academic year in which they sit their final exams.
3. That Women's and Open races be considered discrete.
   1. That only Women's Crews shall row in Women's races, and that only Mixed Crews shall row in Mixed races. When an event does not specify whether it is Open or not, all crews may compete.
   2. That a Women's Crew be defined as a crew consisting solely of oarspersons who are eligible to compete in British Rowing’s Women’s Category, and a Mixed Crew be defined as a crew consisting of at least 50% oarspersons who are eligible to compete in British Rowing’s Women’s Category, and an Open Crew be defined as a crew consisting of any oarspersons whether they be eligible to compete in British Rowing’s Women’s Category or not.
   3. That notwithstanding Rule 3.b above, the coxswain of any crew need not meet the same eligibility criteria as the oarspersons.
   4. Rowers who are not eligible to compete in a Women’s Crew and whose college has no Open Crews may choose one college where they are not a student to compete with. This choice must be agreed by both the rower and the new adoptive club and both parties must confirm with CUCBC. They are to be regarded as a full member of that college boat club, and not to be limited to the lowest boat irrespective of CUCBC Regulation for Racing 4.b; this decision is made once, does not need to be approved at the Captains meeting, and does not need to be declared every term.
   5. That before entering any Women’s Crew or Mixed Crew into a CUCBC event, each Captain must have shared the British Rowing Women’s Category eligibility criteria from British Rowing’s “Trans and Non-Binary Competition Eligibility Policy and Procedures” document with all oarspersons in that crew. Those oarspersons must be asked to review the eligibility criteria and inform the Captain if they are being entered as an oarsperson who should be eligible to compete in the British Rowing’s Women’s Category but where they do not meet the eligibility criteria. Those oarspersons must be told to inform the Captain before the first heat (including the Getting on Race) of that event. The Captain must amend the entry before the first heat (including the Getting on Race) of that event to remove and replace any individuals who have declared that they are not eligible.
   6. That this rule shall remain under review as the legal situation continues to evolve.
4. That the rules concerning composite crews be as follows:
   1. Composite crews shall not be allowed for the University Fours.
   2. In all other CUCBC events, with the exception of the Magdalene Silver Pairs and Lowe Double Sculls, the crew, including the coxswain, must be members of the same College; save that in the case where members of a College want to row or steer, but their College Boat Club has no relevant boat in training, then they may, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, be allowed to row or steer for another named Club in their lowest boat. These members will count towards the limit of two "exceptional status" crew members per boat. Having chosen one such Club they must row or steer for this Club only while their College Boat Club continues to have no boat of its own.
   3. 1. Should a person change colleges and thus be a bona fide student member or full College Fellow of two or more colleges, s/he may then row and/or steer for one of them only in a given term; this must be announced at a CUCBC Meeting at the start of every term.
      2. Should a person obtain permission to compete as an ‘exceptional status’ member of a college in a given term, but have also been a bona fide student member or full College Fellow at another college in the past, s/he may then row and/or steer for one of them only in that term; this must be announced at a CUCBC Meeting at the start of every term.
5. 1. That the crew which competes in the first heat of a CUCBC event (including the Getting on Race) be considered the official crew for the duration of that event. No change in the official crew shall be allowed, except with the permission of the Executive Committee, which will usually be given only in exceptional circumstances such as accident or illness, or subject to Rule 25 in the case of the Lent and May races, or subject to Rule 57 in the case of the University Fours.
   2. That before the first heat, approval may be sought from the Executive Committee for a substitute in the first heat. If this is granted, the official crew should be provided in writing by the club concerned to the Executive Committee, and is expected to be the crew which has trained together that term. The official crew must be provided in advance of the first heat.
   3. That substitution of rowers or coxes from crews in a higher position on the River to those in either a lower position or those competing in the Getting on Race shall not be permitted.
6. That under no circumstances may a crew member rowing in or steering a crew in any race under the jurisdiction of the CUCBC leave the boat except involuntarily until the race is over.
7. That the maximum entrance fee chargeable for any race run by the CUCBC or a College Boat Club be decided by the CUCBC AGM and that these fees be payable to the Boat Club organising the event.
8. That during all races under the jurisdiction of the CUCBC the following restrictions, in addition to the Conservators byelaws, on use of the towpath apply to all students and any members of the public that are associated with racing crews: It is anticipated that all Clubs will co-operate by restricting the number of bicycles following racing crews to the absolute minimum. Umpires will be instructed to report any infringement of this Rule, which will be strictly enforced.
   1. No horses, bicycles or tricycles, other than those used by the Umpires and those authorised to be used by each Boat Club for each crew competing shall be allowed on the tow-path between Baitsbite Lock and the Railway Bridge, except by special permission of the Executive Committee.
   2. That videoing using a handheld device whilst cycling with a racing crew will not be permitted. Any Club whose authorised cyclists do not abide by this rule shall be liable to be fined.
   3. In all races the Chief Umpire shall have the authority to limit, at his/her own discretion, the number of persons bicycling with each boat, to avoid congestion on the towpath.
   4. The current limit per racing crew is four cyclists, including the Boatman, any College VIPs and the College Boat Club Senior Treasurer.
   5. Any Club with more than its authorised number of bicycles shall be liable to be fined and/or its crews technically bumped/disqualified.
9. That in the event of racing emergency or bumps, boats are to pull in to the outside of corners as far as possible.
10. That each boat abide by its own accidents.
11. That each boat racing provides such Marshals as requested for each day that it races and for any re-rows that may occur.
12. That every member of the CUCBC be subject to such regulations for boat racing as the CUCBC may from time to time decide.

Lent and May Races

Eligibility and Conditions of Races

13. 1. That there be regular Eight-Oared Bumping Races held from:
       • Either the 7th Tuesday to the 7th Saturday of the Lent Term or the 8th Tuesday to the 8th Saturday of the Lent Term, depending on which Saturday doesn’t clash with the Women’s Eights Head of the River Race. If there is no clash, the later date is preferred.
       • The 8th Wednesday to the 8th Saturday of the Easter Term.
    2. That the number of divisions shall be announced at the first CUCBC Meeting of the term of the Races. That the number of Open and Women’s divisions shall be announced as soon as possible after the close of entries.
14. That any College Boat Club wishing to put boats on the river for these Races inform the Hon. Secretaries when requested to do so.
15. That every College Boat Club have the right to at least one Open boat and one Women’s boat each on the river for the Lent and May Races.
16. That if a boat misses more than one race in the Lent or May Races of one year, the Club concerned forfeit that place on the river and be obliged to `get on' should it wish to compete again in a future year.
17. That new single boat entrants to the CUCBC Bumping Races be placed at the bottom of the penultimate division, or at a higher position, at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
18. 1. That no crew be allowed to compete in a Bumping Race on the Cam without a minimum of twelve training outings. Outings after 9am on weekdays may count for 1.5 outings. Only outings of length 60 minutes or longer may count towards the minimum outing requirement.
    2. That no crew be allowed to compete in the Lent Bumps that contains more than 2 novices starting in the Lent Term.
    3. That the Executive Committee should be notified of any crew failing to fulfil this requirement.
    4. That the CUCBC may in extraordinary circumstances give a crew that has failed to do so permission to race.
19. That every Boat Club return its entries for the Bumps and the Getting-On Races with the correct fees (see Rule 14) to the CUCBC before a deadline (which shall be before the start of these Races) to be set by the Hon. Secretaries. Any boat failing to do so may not take part in these races.
20. That no current member of the University Squads may row or steer for his/her College in the Lent Bumps without the permission of the Executive Committee and the relevant University Club President. Except in the case of reserves, permission will only be given in exceptional circumstances.
21. 1. That no person who has gained first Lent or May Colours or a Trial Cap may row or steer below the third division of the CUCBC Lent or May Races or below his/her College third crew, whichever is the lower, without the permission of the Hon. Secretaries. This shall normally be given only in the case of accident or illness.
    2. That no person who has rowed in, steered or been a reserve for any of the University crews may row or steer respectively below his/her College third May Boat without the permission of the Hon. Secretaries, which shall normally be given only in the case of accident or illness.
    3. That anyone infringing 21.a and/or 21.b be forbidden to row or steer in any crew for the remainder of the Races.
22. 1. That, with the exception of the sandwich boats, no-one may row or steer in more than one division in one day, and that no-one who has rowed or steered in a particular crew in the races may then row or steer in another crew, except with the permission of the Executive Committee, which shall usually be given only in cases of accident or illness.
    2. That anyone may row in one division and steer in another on the same day.
    3. This rule shall span both the Open and Women’s races, such that it is not permitted to row twice (once in the Open races and once in the Women’s races) or cox twice (once in the Open races and once in the Women’s races) in one day, notwithstanding sandwich boats as exempted in rule 22.a.
23. That there be no restriction on the type of eight used in the CUCBC Lent or May Races, with the exception of front loading eights, which may not be used under any circumstance.
24. 1. That crews be removed from the start order if their coxswain (or a competent representative from his/her club) in the Lent or May Races fail to sign in at the Coxswains' meeting held by the CUCBC before these Races.
    2. For coxes who have previously coxed the Lent or May Races, a competent representative shall be definied as a senior cox from his/her club who undertakes to brief the coxwain on safe racing during bumps.
    3. For coxes who have not previously coxed the Lent or May Races, a competent representative shall be defined as a senior cox from his/her club who undertakes to brief the coxwain on safe racing during bumps, and where prior permission has been granted by the CUCBC Safety Officer.
25. Substitutes must be deemed capable by the Executive Committee of competing safely in the division they will be subbing into, and all substitutes must be eligible competitors for the crew they will be subbing into. Permission for substitution shall only be given in the exceptional circumstances allowed by Rule 5 and:
    1. to crews in the first division in the case of compulsory and immovable academic commitments;
    2. to crews in the second or third division in the case of academic commitments, or other sporting commitments;
    3. to crews in lower divisions for those reasons or any other reason,
    4. provided the Executive Committee is notified of an intention to make a substitution (including details of which competitors require a substitute and for what reasons) under this rule no later than 24 hours before the Getting-On Race for substitutions in that race, and no later than 21:00 on the Sunday before the first day of the Bumps races for the rest of the races. Requests made after this deadline will not be allowed unless the circumstances under which the request is required arose after the deadline.
    5. provided the Executive Committee receives the final details of the eligible substitute no later than 24 hours before the race in question.
    6. For the purposes of substitution eligibility, a crew’s division shall be the division it starts the races in. In the case of a crew competing in the Getting-On Race, Rule 25.c. shall apply.

Getting-On Race

26. 1. That if there be more new entries than vacant places, the bottom eighteen crews (at most) on the river and all new entries then row a timed race (the Getting-On Race)
    2. That the race be held on the Friday preceding the Races, from the upstream side of the A14 Road Bridge to the upstream side of the Railway Bridge, and that the result of this Race determine which boats race in those Bumps.
27. That the number of crews taken off (subject to Rule 26.a) be sufficient to ensure one available place on the river for every two boats entered for the Getting-On Race.
28. That no person who has gained first Lent or May Colours or a Trial Cap, or who has rowed in, steered or been a reserve for any of the University crews may row or steer in the Getting-on Race UNLESS the Getting-on Race crew concerned is the Club's second or third crew.
29. 1. ​​That no-one who has rowed or steered in a successful boat in the Getting-On Race may row or steer respectively in a higher boat during the races which follow, except with the permission of the Executive Committee, which shall usually be given only in cases of accident or illness of someone in a higher boat.
    2. An approved substitute in the Getting-On Race will be treated as if they had been substituted into that crew in a regular Bumps race, and thus still eligible to substitute into other (potentially higher) crews in the races which follow.
30. 1. That those crews regaining their places on the river from the previous year get on first in the order that they were taken off.
    2. That the order of the remaining crews be decided by ballot.
31. 1. That should a crew which has been entered not arrive for the start of the CUCBC Getting-On Race, they forfeit the entire entry fee.
    2. That the CUCBC return half the entry fee to College Boat Clubs for crews which, having rowed in the Getting-On Race, are not then included in the Races.

Details of the Race Procedure

32. 1. That the Races be rowed in divisions of seventeen boats each, excluding the sandwich boat, except the lowest division which may contain eighteen boats.
    2. That the order of the divisions be such that:
       1. The Open and Women’s divisions will alternate.
       2. In the Lent Bumps, the divisions will be ordered such that the W1 division races last in odd years and the O1 division races last in even years.
       3. In the May Bumps, the divisions will be ordered such that the W1 division races last in even years and the O1 division races last in odd years.
       4. In the event of (ii) or (iii) resulting in the bottom two divisions both being Open divisions or both being Women’s divisions, (i) will not apply to those divisions.
33. That the starting posts be 150 feet apart, and that the last starting post be at Baitsbite Lock
34. That the finishing posts for the Lent Races be as follows:
    1. Top Finish : The farther post at Chesterton Footbridge.
    2. Bottom Finish : The concrete post at Morleys Holt.
35. That the finishing posts for the lower divisions of the Lent Races be as follows:
    1. Top Finish : The upstream side of the Railway Bridge
    2. Bottom Finish : The Railings.
36. That the finishing posts for the May Races be as follows:
    1. Top Finish : The farther post at Chesterton Footbridge.
    2. Bottom Finish : The concrete post at Morley's Holt
37. 1. That the Bumps course be such that the first nine boats in each division race to the Top Finish and the rest stop at the Bottom Finish.
    2. That the tenth boat only shall have the option of rowing on to the Top Finish.
    3. That a boat shall be deemed to have finished racing when the stern has passed the relevant finishing post.

Before the Start

38. That no boat proceeding to the start of the Bumps may spin until after First Post Corner, except at Ditton Corner or above the Railway Bridge, except in an emergency. Boats that do spin cannot expect the Chief Umpire to delay the start should they then be late.
39. That any boat causing delay at the start may, at the discretion of the Chief Umpires, be fined or disqualified from racing.
40. That in the event of structural damage occurring to a boat on its way down to the start of a CUCBC Lent or May Race, the Chief Umpire be informed immediately:
    1. If the boat can be repaired, the Chief Umpire may at his/her discretion delay the start of any Division by up to fifteen minutes.
    2. If the boat cannot be repaired or if the newly repaired boat cannot make it to its station by the revised division time, the crew starting behind it shall be awarded a technical bump.
41. That each division of the Races be started by three guns, the first gun to be fired four minutes before the start, the second gun one minute before the start, and the third gun at the start.
    In the event of the one minute gun failing, the next gun to be heard will be a one-minute gun.
42. That any crew which has not spun by the One-Minute Gun be immediately disqualified, and that it then pull into the bank to avoid obstructing crews racing.

Starting Procedure

43. That no running starts be allowed.
44. That in each boat, when the starting gun is fired, the coxswain be holding the regulation chain attached to its post with their hand above the water.
45. That if the coxswain drops the chain before the gun is fired, and the Chief Umpire deems that the result of the race was affected by this action, the penalty be as follows:
    1. If the offending crew make a bump, the Chief Umpire shall either disallow the bump or give the boat that has been bumped the option to re-row;
    2. if the offending boat row over, or if it make a bump that is disallowed, the boat starting behind it may, with the consent of the Chief Umpire, claim a re-row.

Making a Bump

46. That a boat be considered fairly bumped when it is touched by any part of the boat behind it before its stern is past the finishing post save that, between the start and the towpath gate on Grassy Corner, a boat will be considered fairly bumped when the bow ball of the chasing boat passes the Cox, whether or not contact has been made. Should the cox fail to concede at this point, the Chief/Deputy Chief Umpire will use his or her authority to declare the boat to have been bumped and may also impose a dangerous coxing penalty. Over the remainder of the course drawing level with a boat will be considered equivalent to a bump, provided the bow balls are level. For the purposes of this Rule, the word 'boat' includes the ship, the crew, and oars if in the rowlock.
47. That the coxswain of a crew so bumped acknowledge the bump immediately by holding up their hand, this crew rowing on for at least three strokes after the acknowledgement. The crew having made the bump shall at once cease rowing, and both boats shall draw into the bank, if possible to the outside of a corner, until all other boats still racing have passed.
48. That if one boat bump another, the two boats change places on the subsequent day of racing, whatever may have been their positions before starting.
49. That any boat having made four Bumps may row up after the races on Saturday with its flag hoisted, as may also the boat rowing Head.
50. 1. That when, because of obstruction by preceding boats, a crew following is considered bumped according to the Rules, the Chief Umpire may award a technical bump or disallow the bump and offer a technical row-over or a re-row to those crews affected.
    2. That obstruction shall be defined as any event which substantially affects the orderly course of rowing, and nothing in this Rule shall limit the powers of the Chief Umpire to offer re-rows in other cases.
51. That if a boat miss a race, the crew behind it be awarded a technical bump (having rowed past the starting point of the offending crew) and that, if the offending crew fails to appear on the following day, that crew shall be removed from the start order for that set of Bumps and the crews behind it will each move up one place.

Umpires and Disputes

52. 1. That the Senior Committee appoint a Chief Umpire to take overall control of running the main CUCBC races (University Fours, Lent and May Races). That the Executive Committee and Chief Umpire appoint at least one Deputy Chief Umpire and a sufficient number of Senior and Junior Umpires for each Division of the Lent and May Races and each day of the University Fours.
    2. That boats provide Marshals as requested by the Executive Committee to assist with the running of the races.
53. 1. That all disputes be referred to the Chief Umpire via the Control Desk within 30 minutes of the start gun of the division. No correspondence concerning appeals will be entered into thereafter.
    2. Only eye-witness evidence from race officials and others at the discretion of the Chief Umpire will be admitted.
    3. That the Chief Umpire shall have final authority over all decisions.
    4. That the Chief Umpire shall have the power in all doubtful cases of causing the boats concerned to row the race again that evening, or, if it is not the final day of racing, at a designated time the following day.
    5. That there be no re-rows on the final day of racing, save at the Chief Umpires' discretion, which will only be exercised under extreme conditions.
54. That nobody attend a disputes meeting unless referred to it by the Chief Umpire, who shall also attend the meeting, and that no bumps be disputed after the termination of the disputes meeting.

University Fours

General

55. That they be raced from the 3rd Monday to the 4th Friday or 4th Monday to the 5th Friday of the Michaelmas Term at the discretion of the Executive Committee, subject to the number of entries.
56. 1. That entries be divided into a First Division for College First Boats and a Second Division for Second and Lower Boats.
    2. That no Blue, Goldie or Blondie Colour, Lightweight or University Trial Cap, be allowed to row in the Second Division. This Rule shall not apply to coxswains.
    3. That any four entering with two or more May colours rowing be included in the First Division, whether or not that four be its College's First crew.
    4. That first boats from colleges who have their top boat in the third or lower division in both the Lent and the May bumps, may enter the Second Division for the University Fours, subject to approval from the Executive Committee.
57. Substitutes for the University IVs must be deemed capable by the Executive Committee of competing safely in the division they will be subbing into, and all substitutes must be eligible competitors for the crew they will be subbing into. Permission for substitution shall only be given in the exceptional circumstances allowed by Rule 5 and in the event of compulsory and immovable academic commitments. Under no circumstances will a substitution be allowed where it would lead to a rower competing for two or more different crews during the same event
58. That no person currently trialing for a University boat may row or steer for his/her College in the University Fours without the permission of the Executive Committee and the relevant University Club President. Permission will only be given in exceptional circumstances.
59. That these be rowed as Timed Races.
60. That the course be that of the Colquhoun Sculls Race.

Specifications for CUCBC 'Time Races'

61. That the entrance fee for each boat (to be laid down by the Hon. Secretaries) be paid at the time of entry.
62. That in all time races under the jurisdiction of the CUCBC there be only two boats in each heat, and that no boat be allowed to draw more than one bye. The second boat shall not touch, nor ordinarily endeavour to pass, the first boat, but may pass at the discretion of the Umpire.
63. 1. That an exception to Rule 62 be made when exactly three boats enter for any time race and that in this case a third station be provided upstream of the first and with an equal separation. The Umpire will order the crews to minimise the possibility of overtaking, which may only be undertaken at the discretion of the Umpire.
    2. In exception to Rule 66, if the difference between the fastest two boats, or all three, be less than a second, the Umpire shall deem the race a Dead Heat between the fastest two or all three crews, respectively.
    3. In the event that the Umpire deems the third boat to have been impeded by the second, the Umpire may call a re-row over a course not less than from Ditton Corner to the finish with an altered order of crews.
64. That in all time races under the jurisdiction of the CUCBC the Hon. Secretaries appoint Marshals and Divisional Umpires who shall act under instruction from the Senior Umpires, and that the decisions of the Senior Umpire in all cases shall be final. Any boat suffering equipment failure or breakage by the first signal may, at the discretion of the Umpire, be awarded a re-row.
65. That no boats wilfully make use of running starts in any race, and that any boat breaking this Rule be liable to disqualification at the discretion of the Umpire.
66. 1. That the course for all races except the Peter Brandt and Maiden Sculls be that of the Colquhoun Sculls (i.e. from the Little Bridge to a post 78 yards below the Railway Bridge).
    2. That the course for the Peter Brandt and Maiden Sculls races shall be over 500 metres from a post at the bottom of the Reach to a post 78 yards below the Railway Bridge.
67. 1. That if the difference between two boats at the finish of a race be less than a second, the Umpire shall deem the race a Dead Heat.
    2. That in the event of a Dead Heat in a trial heat, a re-row shall take place over a course not less than from Ditton Corner to the finish, to be agreed upon between the Umpire and the representatives of the two Clubs concerned.
    3. That in the event of a Dead Heat in a final, the trophy be held jointly and that medals be awarded to both crews concerned.

CUCBC Small Boats Races

68. That the Small Boat Races be rowed as Timed Races (see Rules 60 - 66).
69. That subject to the number of entries and to Rule 79, the Small Boats Races be held for both Open Crews and Women’s Crews.

Note that the start date of these events may be altered to accommodate the number of entries.

Magdalene Silver Pairs

69. That they be rowed from the 0th Monday to the 0th Wednesday of the Easter Term.
70. That any member qualified to row in CUCBC-run races be qualified to row, except pairs who have won the Magdalene Pairs twice before in the same pair.
71. That a crew need not consist of members of one Club.

Forster-Fairbairn Pairs

(Trial Pairs)

72. That they be rowed from the 0th Monday to the 0th Wednesday of the Easter Term.
73. That Blues, half-blues, Goldie and Blondie colours, Trial Caps, winners of the Magdalene Pairs, and previous winners of the Forster-Fairbairn Pairs be ineligible to enter.

Lowe Double Sculls

74. That they be rowed from the 0th Monday to the 0th Wednesday of the Easter Term.
75. That a crew need not consist of members of one Club.

Fairbairn Junior Sculls

76. That they be rowed from the 0th Monday to the 0th Wednesday of the Easter Term.
77. That Blues, half-blues, Goldie and Blondie colours, Trial Caps, previous winners of the Fairbairn Junior Sculls, Delafield Trophy, and the Colquhoun Sculls are ineligible to enter.

Women's Championship Sculls: The Delafield Trophy

78. That they be rowed from the 0th Monday to the 0th Wednesday of the Easter Term.
79. That only Women's Crews be eligible to enter.

Peter Brandt and Maiden Sculls

80. That they be rowed from the 0th Monday to the 0th Wednesday of the Easter Term.
81. That only those who have not before competed in a sculling race, and hold neither a Blue, half-blue, Goldie/Blondie colour, nor Trial Cap, be eligible to enter.
82. That there be separate competitions for Open Crews (Peter Brandt) and Women’s Crews (Maiden Sculls) subject to the numbers of entries.

CUCBC Trophies

1. That Bronze Medals be awarded to:
   1. The Head of the River crews in the May Races.
   2. The Head of the River crews in the Lent Races.
   3. The winning crew of the University Light Fours.
   4. The winner of the Colquhoun Sculls.
   5. The winner of the Delafield Sculls.
   6. The winning crew of the Magdalene Pairs Race.
   7. The winning crews of the University Coxed Fours divisons.
   8. The winner of the Fairbairn Junior Sculls Race if there are four or more entrants, Open and Women’s races being counted separately.
   9. The winning crew in the Forster-Fairbairn Trial Pairs Race if there are four or more entrants, Open and Women’s races being counted separately.
   10. The winners of the Lowe Double Sculls Races.
2. That all trophies (other than medals) be returned to the Hon. Secretaries by the date of the Getting-On Race for the May Races of the same year.

College-Run Races

The following events are organised by individual College Boat Clubs, subject to CUCBC College Race Management Guidelines. Colleges wishing to hold events must submit details to the Hon. Secretaries at least two weeks prior to the race. The respective organisers reserve the right to alter the rules at any time; for further details apply to the Colleges concerned. In the same way as for the CUCBC-run events, the race dates relate to Full Term dates as published in the University Ordinances, and are based on the fixed calendar of events adopted by the CUCBC in 2000. They may under exceptional circumstances be changed, and will be confirmed by the Hon. Secretaries at the start of each year.

CUBC Trial VIIIs

1. That the Trial VIIIs race(s) be rowed over a course and on a day to be decided by the President.
2. That Trial Caps be awarded to all members of crews competing in the Trial VIIIs and to members of the Goldie crew.

Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race

Agreement under which the race is rowed:

1. That the Race be rowed under the ARA Laws of Boat Racing as of 1st January 1958, that is to say that "A boat's proper course is such course as will enable it to reach the winning post in the shortest possible time, provided it allows ample water for every other competing boat to steer its proper course on the side on which such competing boat started, when such competing boat is in a position to enforce its right to such water. Any boat failing to keep to its proper course does so at its peril in the event of a foul occurring", but subject also to the following:
2. That the Umpire take control at the Toss.
3. That in the event of bad weather, and the stake-boats being placed in sheltered water, the Umpire instruct the coxswains as to the course to be steered.
4. That if, before the crews reach the top of the Wall, any serious accident should happen to either boat, which, in the opinion of the Umpire, is not due to the fault of any individual member of the crew, the Umpire have the power to recall and restart the crews.
5. That if either crew, before reaching the top of the Wall, should in the opinion of the Umpire be so waterlogged through no fault of its own as to be put out of the Race, the Umpire have the power to declare it NO RACE, in which case he shall consult with the Presidents as to when the Race shall be re-rowed.
6. That if either boat be interfered with by any barge, steamer, or other obstacle to such an extent as, in the opinion of the Umpire, to have a material effect on the Race, the crews shall start again at such a time and place as the Umpire shall decide. If, however, it is impossible to restart at once he shall consult with the Presidents of the two Boat Clubs.
7. That the Umpire caution the coxswains of the boat out of its proper course if he thinks there is a probability of a foul occurring.
8. That appeals during the Race to be made by the oarsman or crew concerned holding up his or their hands.
9. That both boats pass through the centre arches of Hammersmith and Barnes Bridges; the crew failing to comply with this Rule shall be ipso facto disqualified.

Henley Boat Races

The agreement under which the annual boat races are rowed between Oxford University and Cambridge University Men's Lightweight Crews and Women's Lightweight Crews:

1. The Races shall be rowed on the River Thames at Henley, from the Royal Regatta finish to the mid-point on the Temple Island on a date to be agreed by the Presidents at the time of the Challenge, in conjunction with the Chairman of the Organising Committee.
2. The Challenge shall be proffered in writing by the President of the previous year's losing University, and shall be made in October preceding the Race.
3. The conduct of the Race shall be the sole responsibility of the Umpire, who shall be chosen by mutual consent at a meeting of the Organising Committee.
4. The Umpire shall be responsible for the positioning of the stakeboats which shall not be moved after the Toss for stations has taken place except with the agreement of all parties. (Notwithstanding the fact that the stakeboats may have to be placed after the Toss depending on conditions).
5. The crews shall be at the Start together five minutes before the time of the Race.
6. The Umpire shall start each race using the commands in current use by the Amateur Rowing Association, and include calling over the crews and stating the start commands he will use. (F11-12)
7. If the Umpire or Aligner considers the start false he shall at once recall the crews to their stakeboats by ringing a bell and then by waving a red flag. If a crew refuses to start again or makes or causes two false starts, the Umpire shall disqualify that crew. (F13-14)
8. A boat's proper course is such as will enable it to reach the winning post in the shortest possible time provided that it allows unobstructed passage for the other crew to steer its proper course on the side on which it started. (F15)
9. During the Race, each crew shall remain in its own water, not interfere with, nor prevent, the other crew from following its proper course. A crew continuing out of its proper course after due warning may be disqualified by the Umpire. (F15)
10. The Umpire shall be the sole judge of a boat's proper course. He may call the attention of a crew to its steering only if the crew is about to interfere with or foul the other crew, or if a collision is about to occur, or if disqualification is possible under Rule 9.(F16-17)
11. When the Umpire warns a crew he shall hold up a white flag vertically, name the crew, and move the flag in the direction in which the boat is to move. When the Umpire stops a Race, he shall ring the bell, hold up a red flag and give the order "Stop". (F18)
12. Crews shall be responsible for their own steering, and the Umpire shall ensure the crews do not receive any advice or instructions. A crew receiving any extraneous assistance may be disqualified. (F19)
13. A foul shall be defined as any collision or contact between boats, oars, or persons, unless in the opinion of the Umpire it will not influence the result of the Race. (F20)
14. Interference shall be defined as conduct by a crew which impedes the progress of the other crew which is in its proper course. A crew shall not be disqualified for interference unless it has been warned in accordance with Rule 10. (F21)
15. A claim will be made by the coxswain of the crew raising an arm, either at the time of the alleged offence or immediately after the end of the Race, that is to say, as the bows of the boat cross the finish line.
16. In the event of a serious or deliberate foul the Umpire shall disqualify the offending crew without waiting for a claim. He will do this immediately at the end of the Race. (Note: This means that he will delay his announcement, either in the interests of safety, or to see whether a foul has, in fact, influenced the result of the Race).
17. The crews shall abide by their accidents, but the Umpire may declare "No Race", and order a restart, or a re-row:
    1. if either crew is interfered with by an outside agency to such an extent as to influence the result of the Race.
    2. if, before reaching the bridge in the Phyllis Court wall, either crew should suffer any serious accident or sinking or water logging. (F23)
18. A crew has completed the Course when the bows of the boat cross the finish line. If a competitor, other than the coxswain, falls out of the boat the crew will still be placed. If a coxswain falls out of the boat, the crew will be deemed not to have completed the Course. (F27)
19. The distance by which a crew is declared to have won may be the smallest that can be judged (including consulting photographic records at the finish), and a dead heat should only be given when it is impossible for the finish judges together to see which boat passed the post first. In the event of a dead-heat being declared there will be no re-row and the trophy shared between the crews. (F24, 26)
20. After the finish the Umpire shall indicate by raising his white flag when both crews have crossed that the Race is in order and no protest has been lodged. If the race is not in order he shall raise his red flag. A crew earlier claiming that the Race had been improperly run must explain its protest to the Umpire again immediately at the finish of the Race. (F25)
21. Refusal to abide by the decision of the Umpire, which is final and without appeal, or to follow his instructions, shall render a crew liable to disqualification. (G1, G3)
22. For Men the average weight of a Lightweight crew (excluding coxswain) shall not exceed 70kg. No individual oarsman shall weigh more than 72.5kg. For women the average of a Lightweight crew (excluding coxswain) shall not exceed 57kg. No individual oarswoman shall weigh more than 59kg. (FISA Article 23)
23. The coxswain for the Men's Lightweight Race shall not weigh less than 55kg, and for all the Women's Races not less than 45kg, and must carry weights in the boat if necessary. It will be the responsibility of that coxswain to provide such weights and they must be carried as near to, but not on, the coxswains person as possible. The coxswains shall be weighed on the day of the race immediately after the Umpire's morning briefing. (FISA Article 17)
24. "Cox-boxes" and tools shall not count for the minimum weight of a coxswain and may not be used as dead-weight if needed under Rule 23. Life jackets and buoyancy aids are acceptable at the weigh-in being a compulsory part of the coxswain's dress (see Rule 26).
25. Lightweight crews shall be weighed no earlier than 4 hours nor later than 1 hour before their Race. For weighing the minimum dress shall be underwear. If an oarsman or woman is over the maximum weight then only that person need be re-weighed unless it adversely affects the average of the crew.
26. Coxswains must wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid in order to comply with the BR Water Safety Code.

Note: Some of the rules are followed by a reference, in italics, to an BR rule or FISA article. These are for reference only; the rule or article referred to may contain additional points not applicable to these rules and vice versa. The rules set out above are the final and only point of regulation for the operation of these races.

Eights Regatta (2021)

Rules of the regatta

The following rules were proposed and passed Nem Con at the Pre-Bumps Captain's meeting on 16th May 2021.

The Regatta will be run subject to Bumps rules and Bumps fines where applicable, with significant changes to accommodate for substitutions and the Regatta format (many thanks to Pembroke for their information regarding Pem Regatta).

For this event only, the rules below will be in force. If there is a contradiction between the below rules and Bumps rules, the below rules should be read as true.

1. The Regatta will be raced from a standing start between the Stump at the bottom of the Long Reach and Peter's Posts. These will be indicated by flags on the bank.
   1. The length of the course is approximately 1100m. The course may be shortened at the chief umpire's discretion should a houseboat or other such obstacle present itself on the course.
   2. The race fee will be £50, reduced to £25 if, for any reason, a crew only races the GoR.
   3. Full refunds will be provided for crews who scratch before the GoR due to COVID-19 isolation.
   4. The regatta will run from ***21st - 24th June***
2. A Getting-On race will be run before the regatta to seed crews into appropriate divisions.
   1. The length of the GoR will be the length of the Regatta course.
   2. The GoR will be run on ***20th June***
   3. Crews who opt only to race in GoR, or in the situation the regatta is oversubscribed, will be refunded half the entrance fee.
   4. There is no 12-outing requirement however crews must be able to competently race and steer, under penalty of disqualification at GoR without half-refund.
3. A Swiss-system tournament is to be used within each division. Each crew will race once a day, unless their opponent scratches.
   1. Races on the first day will be seeded
      1. The subsequent days' race pairings will be based upon the previous day's race results whereby winners will race winners and losers race losers.
      2. Further particulars regarding race pairing will be released after entries close, in order to accommodate as many racing crews as we can.
   2. The division winner is determined by the crew winning all their races.
   3. Prizes will be awarded to winning crews in each Division. The winner of the top senior and top novice division will be the overall winner for senior/novices.
   4. University medals will be awarded to the winners of the 1st Senior Divisions.
4. There will be 10 divisions, subdivided by gender and novice/senior crews, and we will aim to accommodate as many crews as we can.
   1. Any extra slots in mixed categories will be fairly allocated to Men/Women according to the number of entries.
      1. A Mixed crew is defined as one with a maximum of 4 male rowers.
   2. Should it be the case that crew entrants exceed the maximum number of races able to be run, qualifications will be based upon GoR time.
   3. Each college will have automatic entitlement to a senior and novice crew of each gender entered. All crews must however race the GoR.
5. Racing
   1. Crews will be started by the call "Attention" and then "Go".
   2. If the Start umpire judges both crews to be straight and ready then, at their discretion, they may choose to call "Attention, Go" without waiting for both coxes to indicate that they are ready, in the interests of not delaying race proceedings.
      1. Crews which are late to the start, or who take an unnecessary amount of time to get ready at the start, will be awarded a false start.
   3. Umpires will be present at the start and at the finish, and a Race Umpire will cycle alongside each pair of racing crews. Crews must obey the instructions of the Umpires.
   4. The race umpire will cycle alongside the bow ball of the winning crew. Bank parties must not obstruct the race umpire.
   5. In the interests of safety, bank parties are restricted to two persons on bicycles. The use of loud hailers is prohibited.
   6. A crew will be disqualified from that race after its second false start in the same race.
   7. Boats will race side-by-side and must keep to their station throughout the race, irrespective of the position of the opposition. If a boat moves to take the opposition's water it will be warned to move back on station by the Race Umpire who will blow their whistle for a short burst (1 time for a first offence, 2 times for a second offence, etc.) and shout the name of the offending crew, or both crews. The crew(s) in question must act on this warning or they will be considered for disqualification at the end of the race, either following the third offence or following a more significant single offence.
   8. Unless unsafe to do so, boats must continue rowing until well past the finish line. The emergency stop signal from the Race Umpire will be continuous whistling, usually followed by sirens from static umpires.
   9. Subject to disqualification, the boat whose bow ball passes the finish line first will be declared the winner. A dead heat may be awarded at the Finish umpire's discretion. This will result in a re-row, which will be incorporated into the next division of races.
   10. The decision by the Finish Umpire is final and appeals to the decision by the Finish Umpire will not be entertained.
   11. Should a race require to be stopped, the race will be re-run with both crews starting from the same position.
6. Substitutions
   1. In the spirit of sportsmanship in consecutive-day racing, all entrants agree to keeping crew compositions the same wherever possible
   2. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and examination periods, the requirements for subs will be massively relaxed
   3. Standard Bumps restrictions apply (e.g. rowers may only row once daily) with the addition of:
      1. Members of one club may sub into another, providing that the receiving club crew is the lowest crew fielded and no individual from the receiving club is available.
      2. In the event of self-isolation and exams, subs will be granted however an email acknowledgement of substitution must be received from CUCBC
      3. Novices may race more than once daily, only in order to sub into their senior lowest division and fill an eight.
      4. There will be no restrictions on requesting a substitution, irrespective of crew and division.
   4. All substitutions must be approved by CUCBC, with an email to committee@cucbc.org stating division, crew, individuals subbed in, individuals subbed out. The threshold for CUCBC to approve a sub will be extremely low; captains should expect the vast majority of these to be approved.
7. All crews must adhere to the marshalling plan and the instructions of marshals and umpires.
8. All clubs must provide marshals, the number of whom will be determined by the number of entrants.
9. All novice coxes must attend a novice cox briefing. A novice cox is defined as one who has not coxed a regatta previously. Senior coxes may also attend if they wish.
10. We request that all members who have sufficient racing experience volunteer to umpire this event, otherwise races and/or divisions might have to be reduced due to lack of umpires.

Attachment	Size
June Eights Regatta Rules.pdf	64.41 KB

Action to be Taken In Case of Collision With Moored Craft

Narrow Boats

Should a sculling or rowing boat come into contact with a moored narrow boat, the following procedure should be used to ensure the minimum risk of damage to either craft:

1. Immediately easy and back water with the free blade(s).
2. Back down with the stern most oars/sculls on the opposite side from the side of contact with the narrow boat.
3. When clear, paddle on with the bowmost oars/sculls, drawing in the sternmost oars/sculls on the side closest to the moored boat.
4. Should it be necessary to push off from the hull of the moored boat, use oar/scull blade tips against the BLACK painted side of the moored craft’s lower hull ABOVE the waterline.

GRP Cruisers

Should a sculling or rowing boat come into contact with a moored GRP Cruiser, use the same procedure as above but, should it be necessary to push off from the hull of the moored boat:

1. Push of from the cruiser’s fenders or rubbing strakes or, if this is not possible
2. Push off ABOVE the waterline so as not to remove antifouling paint below the waterline. [NB: This is a change to previous practice and is to enable the craft’s owner to see any slight scratches and deal with them as part of normal maintenance. Scratches and breaks in a boat’s anti-foul coating BELOW the waterline may remain unnoticed and can lead to much greater problems over time.]

Courtesy

Remember that courtesy costs nothing and, should the boat owner be aboard if and when a collision occurs, an apology should be offered at once. Your priority will be to disengage safely and without causing damage, but an apology will diffuse tension and go along way to creating good relationships between all sectors of the river-using community.

Code of Conduct for Anglers & Rowers

This code is endorsed by the Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs (CUCBC), the Cambridgeshire Rowing Association (CRA) and the Cambridge Fish Preservation & Angling Society Ltd (CFPAS). It is essential that every Association, Club and Society Member should abide by the spirit of this Code, which is intended to promote the greater safe enjoyment of the river amenity so as not to unduly disrupt or disturb others appreciating the facility.

1. Courtesy is required between all the parties. Should any dispute arise and it becomes necessary for the parent clubs to intervene, anglers and rowers should exchange names and club membership and refer the dispute details to their respective parent body.
2. The Angling Society will publish dates of the main rowing events and will endeavour to ensure that no fishing will take place between the Pike & Eel and Baits Bite Lock on the published dates. Pleasure fishing on those dates should be reduced.
3. The Rowing Association / CUCBC will publish dates of the main fishing matches and will endeavour to ensure that no rowing takes place during the times of the fishing matches which will normally be between 10.30am to 3.30pm unless otherwise stated and 9.00am until 1.00pm for the Junior Angling Tournaments. The Angling Society should advise when major or national matches are taking place and in these cases rowers will be advised of the particular importance to avoid these times.
4. Rowers are asked to keep outings below Baits Bite Lock to a minimum. They should be especially aware of anglers and should check for any fishing matches. See special note below.
5. Rowing coaches are asked to ensure that they do not halt crews for instruction purposes immediately adjacent to anglers. Anglers in turn should avoid swims adjacent to recognised starting and finishing posts.
6. Subject to the river conditions and being clear of obstructions, crews are asked not to turn boats immediately opposite anglers.
7. All parties to be mindful of the peace and quiet enjoyed by residents on or close to the river.
8. All parties to show consideration to other water users and to the public using the hailing way.
9. The hailing way must not be blocked by fishing tackle or rowing equipment. Parking of trailers or vehicles adjacent to the hailing way should be carried out with respect to other river users.
10. It is important for all river users to understand how narrow the river is in places. At some points it is barely possible for two eights to pass each other safely particularly near moorings. Rowers are asked to make every effort to avoid fishing lines but anglers must be aware of their difficulty and be prepared to move their tackle to avoid damage. Roach poles are of particular concern and anglers should lift these in good time when rowers approach.

BELOW BAITS BITE LOCK:

1. Permission to row below the lock is restricted to first boats and boats in the top two divisions of the May Bumps only.
2. In the Michaelmas and Lent terms no CUCBC boat will go down below the lock from 8.30am to 1.00pm or after 4.30pm on any weekday.

Code of Practice for Coaches

Purpose:

The purpose of this Code of Practice is to maximise the capacity on the river and to ensure that every crew has the best opportunity to train.

Guiding Principles:

1. Traffic on the river remains safe for all users at all times.
2. It is more important for a crew to row than a coach to talk.
3. Do not hold up other crews.
4. Take care and be aware of single scullers, Town crews and other river users.

Above Chesterton (Downstream or Upstream, before 0900hrs and at any time when the river is busy - common sense defines this):

1. Unless required for safety, no rowing with fewer than 4 rowers at a time in an eight, roll the changes rather than stop/start, and at a minimum of half slide.
2. Increase boat speed (via increasing number of rowers, or pressure up to half pressure) as needed in front of other crews.

Chesterton to Penny Ferry (Pike and Eel) (Downstream or Upstream):

1. Keep moving through this stretch of water, but expect to merge with upstream crews spinning at the pub.

Penny Ferry (Pike and Eel) to Ditton, Ditton to Bovis (Motorway) Bridge (Downstream or Upstrteam):

1. Treat this as the main 'course' for crews.
2. No rowing other than continuously with full crew, unless not safe to do so, or of doing standing starts.
3. Standing starts, and their practise, may be done provided that others are not impeded.
4. No stopping other than at Ditton to spin, to fit in with traffic or to maintain safety; if spinning, do so near the post at the bottom of the Reach, and do not join a line of crew spinning all the way up the Reach - wait your turn at the bottom!
5. Expect other crews to be rowing at speed, especially upstream, and do your utmost not to obstruct them.
6. Respect other crews that simply cannot go any faster but do their best to maintain the flow.
7. Obey relevant rules re overtaking, pulling in to the bank to give way etc. (See Rules of the River).
8. If coaches wish to talk to crews at Ditton, which is often unecessary, pull into the bank to do so and do not create an obstruction to moving crews; do not stop and talk elsewhere on the river other than below the Little Bridge.

Ditton Corner:

1. Expect crews to be spinning just upstream of the corner.
2. Once spun, pull into the bank to talk/rest, or move off promptly. Don't just sit stationary in the river!

Bovis (Motorway) Bridge to Baitsbite Lock:

1. (Downstream) Expect to find crews spinning below the slight corner so reduce speed to suit.
2. (Upstream) Expect to find crews assembling near the Little Bridge for upstream pieces. Such crews to move off as soon as possible without long instructions from the bank. A reasonable delay to allow a slower crew to get ahead is acceptable.

Coxing Guidelines

A concise guide to coxing with particular reference to the river Cam.

The Role of the Cox

Apart from the first outings of a novice cox, the cox (and not the coach or anyone else) is in charge of the crew and ultimately responsible for what it does. This includes:

• Keeping your crew safe at all times obeying the rules of the river.
• Maintaining complete control in the boat.
• Coaching the crew and improve the standard of rowing.
• Running the race: motivating, setting tactics and getting the best out of your crew.
• Steering a good course.

A good cox is one who discusses issues with their coach, however simple or complicated the question may be. The best way to cox is to be a coach in the boat and inspire confidence. The only way to do this is to listen, reinforce what the coaches say and question. Most coaches are oarsmen and don't think about spending time coaching coxes. If you make the effort you will learn, your coxing will improve and your crew will respect you.

Safety

Safety is unfortunately now a prominent issue, highlighted by recent inept coxing putting people's lives in danger. It is very simple to avoid accidents - keep control and don't bow to pressure from over-aggressive rowers.

• Safety is the prime concern of the cox. This is true whatever the situation -- a race, the bumps or an outing. If a situation is dangerous, STOP. If this is in a race, it will be re-run.
• It is your responsibility to know the rules of the river and you are legally bound if the crew is involved in an accident.

Commands

Your commands are for all the crew to hear. They must be clear, concise and useful. The aim is to tell the crew what the situation is, what they are going to do about it and when they are going to do it. Make sure you and the crew understand what your commands mean. Discuss commands on land and ensure that there is no uncertainty. This is especially important before your first outing -- you must know what to say to start rowing, stop and steer. Not only is this very important for safety, it stops you losing respect by not knowing what to say. The way in which you give commands makes a huge difference:

• Voice Quality: This can be varied if you have a cox-box. For novices this is unlikely so you need to develop a way of shouting so you can be heard. Try to project your voice as opposed to shouting straight into your stroke's body.
• Rhythm: Helps the crew achieve their own rhythm. It is very important to emphasise the rhythm you want the crew to achieve by the timing of your commands (e.g. command same length as stroke in water).
• Timing: give your commands at a similar point in the stroke, and appropriate to how and when you want the crew to react. Tell them what they are going to do and ensure that they do it when you say `Go'. This is often at the finish.

Races

Know as much about the crew as possible -- their strengths and weaknesses, where problems will arise and how to overcome them. This is crucial to your role in a race, and can make all the difference between winning and losing.

• Encourage the crew. You are trying to get them to go through a lot of pain and it makes a big difference if you are giving them goals to achieve and telling them that they're doing well.
• Tell your crew exactly what is happening the whole time. If you are going to hit the bank tell them. In a race, if you are two lengths up or down on the other boat tell them that -- if you lie they'll hate you afterwards.

Steering

The Cam is not a river that lends itself to convenient rowing due to its narrowness and sharp bends. Familiarise yourself with the map of the river. Especially dangerous corners are:

• The Road Bridge (Queen Elizabeth Way)
• Chesterton (Green Dragon)
• Ditton
• Grassy

You must keep close to your side of the river and be ready to easy and hold the boat up quickly.You may find it difficult to get round using the rudder alone if you are going slowly. Use `2 and 4', or `Bow and 3' to take the boat round. Do not stray to the other side of the river -- fast crews may be coming up.

• Pushing away from you on the right string makes you go right, pulling the right makes you go left. Remember that the boat pivots about a point roughly in the middle of the boat, so the stern will swing out as you turn.
• The rudder acts as a brake. The one sided braking turns the boat. It also makes the boat lean. This slows and unbalances the boat -- try to use it only when the blades are in the water (though this is impossible on some corners).
• Feel for the delay between steering and it taking effect. Learn to anticipate. Anticipation is the mark of a good cox. Be aware of other crews around you, anticipating what they may do. The cox needs to observe a long distance ahead (cf. good driving).
• Watch for the wind: clever coxing can anticipate the wind pushing the boat off course. You may often find that you have to steer a compensating course(i.e. pointing away from the bank to keep moving parallel to it).
• Don't lean your own body weight from side to side when steering (or lean out to see where you're going). You must keep your body weight central and steady in the boat.

The most important rules relevant to coxing are:

• Keep to the right: except in the Gut and Plough Reach where you keep to the left. Boats going downstream give way to those coming upstream, especially when crossing over.
• Spinning: Look before you give the command, never just because the coach says so. Never spin where it is dangerous, e.g. corners, when a crew is close behind and never in The Gut
• Overtaking: As with spinning, look and decide whether it is safe. Always ask to `come by' before overtaking.
• Easying: Always give way to faster crews; draw into the bank if necessary. The river is very narrow and you will often need to draw your blades right in. This is possible, you won't capsize but you will need to do it very quickly. Make sure your crew is aware of this in advance.
• In the event of a potential blade clash, the coxswains of both crews should call "easy there" / "easy oars" to ensure both crews stop rowing and that their blades are feathered. Coxswains of crews rowing upstream should then instruct the relevant side of rowers (in
  most cases strokeside) to move their blades up (i.e. push the handles down) and coxswains of crews rowing downstream should instruct their relevant rowers (in most cases, bowside) to move their blades down (i.e. lift handles up so blades are flat on the water). Once the boats are in clear water, the coxswains may proceed as they see fit to rebalance their boats and continue their sessions. In short: downstream blades down; upstream blades up.
• Anglers: treat with courtesy -- avoid their lines and don't easy next to them.

Coxing Bumps Races

Available below are the coxes' presentations given to all competing coxes prior to Bumps races.

Attachment	Size
Senior Coxes' Presentaion - those who have coxed Bumps before	900.74 KB
Novice Coxes' Presentaion - never coxed Bumps before	1.16 MB