Head Race season brings many things to mind for coaches, crews and referees. First, it is the time of the year for long rows, cool weather and lots of color along the courses. It is also time to look forward to the fall classics, races that sometimes are known to the inner circle of rowers by only one name: the Charles, the Schuylkill, the Hooch, the Lake and dozens of other races great and small. It is also time for teams to try out their new line-ups, test the freshman class and try the temper of referees with novice coxswains.

Last month, Rachel LeMieux wrote a nice piece that covered a lot of ground with respect to head racing. This month, I want to concentrate on one particular aspect – passing.

So, let’s start with the rule book. The rule covering passing in the Rules of Rowing is simple:
 
A crew is deemed to be overtaking another crew when it has moved to within one length of open water of the crew ahead. On those portions of the course that are straight, a crew being overtaken shall move to the right and allow the overtaking crew to pass. Where the course turns, a crew being overtaken shall move to the outside of the turn and allow the overtaking crew to pass along the shorter path. Nonetheless, passing is not allowed, nor is the crew being overtaken required to yield, in cases where the overtaking crew’s position clearly prevents safe passage or where there is insufficient room to yield. (Appendix to article VII section (b)).

Note that there is no mention of course etiquette, like asking a crew to yield. The rule puts the onus on the boat being overtaken to yield without putting any restrictions on the passing crew other than to safe passage.

This rule is subject to several conditions such as:

• Local rules regarding no passing zones
• Locations of fixed objects on the course such as bridges and docks
• Traffic pattern consideration, such as launching, landing and crossing areas.

As a result, what should be a clear rule for all of us to deal with can be subject to confusion from time to time? So here are a couple of suggestions to help all of us get through this season with great racing and a minimum of stress:

• Look at the course map prior to launching and ask any local rowers for hints about the course.
• Always read the LOC guide to the course and pay particular attention to traffic patterns. One race I know applies a penalty of exclusion for a crew who passes in the turns. While this sounds draconian, it is based on safety and fairness of that particular course layout. If you were a visiting crew to this event and tried to pass in the turn, you would find that compliance with the rule book would still merit an exclusion based on the local rule.
• Use practice time to learn the course. By the time you and your crew arrive at the regatta site, it is likely too late to try and find some increased boat speed during your practice session. You might be able to find decreased race time though, through learning the tricks of that particular course and planning your race accordingly. If you have ever been to the Charles and watched first time crews go through the Weeks turn and then watched a veteran crew make the same turn, you will see what I mean. The veteran crew will take a different path that sometimes means the faster crew wants to go on the outside of the turn, allowing them to build speed through the bridge. This seems contrary to the rule, but some crews believe it is the fastest route.

Head racing can be exciting and fun if you have the right game plan. Understanding the rules are the first step, gaining the knowledge on applying the rules to the specific course will take you even further.