Rules & Procedures

All USRowing rules found in the 2024 Rules of Rowing apply unless otherwise noted below.

Changes for 2024 are noted with red text and yellow highlight.

+ 1. Registration

1.2.1 - GECs are sent to the email address on file for the previous year’s registrant. Contact the Registrar if you have not received your GEC one week prior to the opening of registration. The Hooch is not responsible if you do not receive your code.

1.2.2 - GECs must be used while registering on RegattaCentral. If your entry does not have one, it will be placed in the lottery draw and will not be seeded should it be accepted.

1.2.3 - GECs can only be used in the event they were earned and by the same club as the preceding year for all 8+, 4+/x, 2-/x events.

1.2.4 - GECs awarded for singles (1x) events are awarded to the rower and can only be used by that rower regardless of their club/affiliation. GECs for 1x races can be used by that rower in any 1x event they are qualified to row in.

1.2.5 - Any event with divisions will have GECs awarded independently to both divisions of an event.

1.2.6 - A GEC for a composite crew can only be used if it contains at least 50% of the same rowers as the previous year.

1.2.7 - A GEC only guarantees you an entry if you register within the lottery registration period.

1.2.8 - If you receive a GEC for an event that you do not/no longer qualify for please contact the registrar.

1.2.9 - Should events be canceled for any reason, all boats in the event will receive a guaranteed entry for the following year.

1.3.1 - Adaptive entries will not be subject to the lottery and will not receive GECs as a result.


+ 2. Event Definitions

2.1.1 - In an effort to increase safety on the water, youth novice boats are not required to have a novice level coxswain.

2.6.1 - Should any division of a master’s event receive less than 5 entries, the divisions for that event will be combined.

2.7.1 - Youth events may be split into separate age groups (i.e., U19, U17 & U15). All rowers in the boat will need to be under the respective age limit for each event for these entries.

  • Programs with NCAA Division I, II, III status.
  • Boats containing any rower who, in the current calendar year, finished in the top 6 places in any national team trials, national or international championships (e.g., FISA World Cup), NCAA Championships (all divisions), or IRA National Championship.
  • Boats containing any rower who, in the current or preceding eight calendar years, competed at the FISA World Championships or Olympic games.

2.12.1 - Composition: These events are same or mixed gender crews made up of same classification athletes.

2.12.2 - Classification: USRowing OR FISA Adaptive classifications are required for this event. Provisional classifications will be considered by the Hooch Adaptive Coordinator.

2.13.1 - Composition: This event is for mixed classifications of athletes including a rower and an able-bodied rowing partner. Need a rowing partner? Able Bodied Rowing Partners are available for single athletes. Contact the Adaptive Coordinator to be paired with a rowing partner: pararowing@headofthehooch.org.

2.13.2 - Classification: Official USRowing Adaptive classification is required for this event. For a provisional classification, please contact the Adaptive Coordinator at pararowing@headofthehooch.org.

+ 3. Coxswains

+ 4. Seeding & Bow Draw

4.1.1 - Boats will be seeded based on prior year’s raw finishing times, including in handicapped events.

4.1.2 - Boats will be seeded in the following order:

  • Returning boats awarded guaranteed entries from the previous year (top 10%). These will be seeded based on the previous year’s raw time.
  • Returning boats without a guaranteed entry but with above average raw times from the preceding year will be given consideration to be seeded before the random draw at the discretion of the organizing committee.
  • Random draw from the remaining entries until one boat has been placed for each organization. Non-guaranteed composite entries will be drawn in this group.
  • Random draw from the all remaining entries until all remaining boats have been placed.
  • Note: Within a single organization, boats are placed by designation (A, B, etc.); entering several boats with the ‘A’ designation will not result in better seeds. Should two or more boats be labeled as the ‘A’ boat, the order the entries were submitted will be used to determine which is the first or ‘A’ entry.
  • Note: Events with divisions are considered one event and will be seeded as one event ignoring the divisions.

+ 5. Time Adjustments

5.1.1 - Age handicap is calculated based on the following USRowing formula: HC= (age – 27)2 * Z Adjusted for a 4500m course.

Values for Z

0.0900 for 8+’s & 4x’s

0.0972 for 2x’s & 4+’s

0.1125 for 1x’s & 2-’s

5.1.2 - For Master 2x, 4x, 4+, and 8+ the age of the crew will be the average of the rowers (except for coxswain). Handicaps are rounded to the nearest second. When the average age is 27 or below the handicap will be zero.

5.1.3 - For Masters 1x events, the rower must be registered for the correct age category and cannot row up or down an age classification.

5.1.4 - The correct age must be provided for each crew member. If any age is missing, no handicap will be assigned to the boat. Any handicap corrections must be made online prior to the deadline for lineup changes. No handicap changes will be accepted on the day of the race.

5.2.1 - Para Time Adjustments: Time adjustments will be made according to the composition of the entry based on gender and adaptive classification.

5.2.2 - Inclusive Para Time Adjustments: Time adjustments will be applied according to the makeup of the crew.

+ 6. Weigh-In

6.5.1 - Male Rowers in all age groups will have a maximum weight of 160 lbs.

6.5.2 - Female Rowers in all age groups will have a maximum weight of 130 lbs.

+ 7. Equipment & Bow Numbers

7.5.1 - Strapping: Guidelines for strapping are set by USRowing.

7.5.2 - Equipment: Minimum equipment requirements are listed on the FISA Para-Rowing landing page, here.

+ 8. Launching

8.1.1 - During practice, race traffic patterns (stay to the left, port side) apply throughout the course. Penalties of 1 minute or disqualification from the regatta may be assessed for violation of this rule. All race weekend launch and recovery traffic patterns will also apply.

8.1.2 - Crews in small boats (1x, 2x, 2-) wishing to row a portion of the course during practice may turn after the East end of the island and merge into the traffic pattern in the racing lane of the course. Turning crews must yield to crews in the traffic pattern from the start area when entering the course. A course marshal may be located in this area; if so, crews must follow any instructions given to them or risk a penalty.

8.1.3 - All rowers/crews looking to practice must check in at the registration tent prior to launching. All rowers launching to practice will be required to wear a wristband, provided by the Hooch, indicating completion of their USRowing waivers and payment of all entry fees.

8.5.1 - The time cutoff for launching will not be adjusted unless there is an official change to the scheduled time of the race. Crews choosing to launch later than the published time on the official heat sheet due to a perceived lateness of the regatta risk not being allowed to launch for their race.

8.7.1 - Option 1 - Standard Launch: Para and inclusive para athletes will launch from the venue launch docks at Ross’ Landing. There will be a staging area near the launch dock (next to the Control Commission tent). Upon completion of the race, adaptive athletes will recover from the venue recovery docks at Ross’ Landing. See Ross' Landing map

8.7.2 - Option 2 - Upriver Launch: Para and inclusive para athletes can launch from the Girls Preparatory School (GPS) dock about 2000m upriver from the venue launch docks. Teams may row shells up to GPS on Saturday Afternoon. Volunteers will be available to row equipment from the venue launch docks at Ross’ Landing to the GPS dock OR crews may stage their equipment at the GPS dock. Volunteers or athletes may row para and inclusive para equipment back to the GPS dock after completing a race.

+ 9. At the Start

+ 10. On the Course

10.2.1 - If a pass is attempted and there is not adequate room and time to perform the pass, the Passer is at risk of incurring interference penalties. In situations involving three or more boats, there are areas such as bridge arches and narrow areas where passing cannot be accomplished safely.

10.2.2 - Communicate effectively during racing. All bow coxed shells are strongly advised to have their bow seat rower and all stern coxed shells are strongly advised to have their stroke seat rower advise their coxswain when there is clear water astern after completing a pass. Timely instruction from the appropriate rower may assist in avoiding a stern-to-bow collision and/or an interference penalty due to cutting in too soon.

10.2.3 - When boats come together and interlock, this does not necessarily result in a penalty situation if there were no specific violations of the racing rules observed by a race official.

10.3.1 - Be alert to possible upcoming passing attempts and promptly yield when there is adequate room and time.

10.3.2 - Be prepared to miss a few strokes to allow the Passer to pass safely and without interference.

10.3.3 - Communicate effectively during racing. All bow coxed shells are strongly advised to have their bow seat rower and all stern coxed shells are strongly advised to have their stroke seat rower advise their coxswain when a following crew is about to begin a pass and on which side the passer is approaching. Timely instruction from the appropriate rower may assist in avoiding an interference penalty.

+ 11. Penalties

  • Intentional or flagrant disregard of principles of safety and fairness at any time during the event.
  • Use of obscene language or gestures or abusive behavior to an official, fellow competitor, or volunteer as witnessed by a Race Official (Referee).
  • Crossing the finish line without an athlete (includes coxswain). Presumed penalty is exclusion.
  • Urinating in the Tennessee River. Presumed penalty is disqualification.
  • Crews associated with unauthorized or improper drone flights. See drone policy.
  • 1st infraction 60 second penalty
  • 2nd infraction 120 second penalty
  • 3rd infraction disqualification from the Regatta

+ 12. The Finish

12.4.1 - Important: Crews with short windows between their races must pick up a priority docking card at control commission prior to their first race. The crew should display the card in a visible fashion for the finish marshal and the dock master as they queue for and approach the recovery dock.