Regattas are among the most widely recognized form of rowing competition, and tend to be traditionally held in the warmer summer months. As per Peter A Derow, regattas are somewhat like sprint races that allow for side-by-side racing, or even multi-lane racing at bigger events. Distances of regattas may vary, but usually cover anything from 500m to 2000m.
Peter A Derow underlines a few tips for being regatta ready
A regatta can be a single day event or take place over multiple days, even a week. Every regatta has slightly different rules. Most of the open regattas do post a racing order list that tells everyone when they can expect to race.
Competing in a rowing regatta requires more than just physical strength and technique, one has to be properly prepared for the event. Right from the boat to the Cox box/orb, it is the responsibility of the rowers to check their equipment beforehand and make sure it is race ready. If one is travelling to the regatta, they have to see to it that their boat is loaded safely onto the trailer, and all its parts are packed securely and safely. All the nuts and bolts from the riggers have to be secure, labelled, and also packed. When competing in a regatta, rowers need to properly know the rules around equipment and be prepared to fix simple issues. For instance, a regatta may have rowers have heel restraints of a certain length, therefore, one has to check if these are in good order prior to leaving the club. If a regatta requires coxswains to wear a lifejacket, then it also has to be checked beforehand.
It would be prudent for rowers to arrive early at the regatta site, to have enough time to rig the boat, check equipment, warm up, and mentally settle in. Rushing can make rowers more anxious and cause them to lose focus. One has to properly see to it that their oars, seat, foot stretchers, and rigging are secure and adjusted correctly. It would be a good idea to bring extra tools and spare parts in case any last-minute fixes are needed. Prior to heading to the starting line, rowers should consider doing dynamic stretches and light rowing to activate their muscles. A proper warm-up prevents injuries and ensures you’re ready to perform at your best.
If possible, towers should try to familiarize themselves with the racecourse beforehand, and especially gain an insight into potential currents, wind patterns, and landmarks to help with pacing. Even if one is racing on home waters, they should know exactly where the course start and finish are, and where are the warm-up/cool down circuits.
Once the race begins, rowers need to stay composed and focus on their strategy. As Peter A Derow mentions, the first strokes set the tone for the race, and it would be better to start off with controlled power to gain early momentum. When fatigue sets in, rowers often rush the slide or shorten their strokes. Rather, they should put emphasis on clean catches, full drives, and controlled recoveries.
