The Chase
Established in 1993, the Occoquan Chase has grown quickly with more than 250 entries racing in 2001.  The Occoquan Reservoir at Sandy Run Park provides rowers with some of the best racing conditions in the world.  The race begins upriver from Sandy Run at Jacob's Rock.  The 3-mile course follows a gently winding path past the launch site, finishing at the first set of overhead powerlines past the grandstand viewing area.   Each athlete/crew that is declared the winner of their division will be awarded the "Champion of the Chase" shirt, and they will be positioned first in their event the following year.

The Chase attracts a wide range of competitors, both in age and in skill level.   Novice and World Championship level athletes will find the course a challenge since there are no fixed objects (bridges) to navigate by--only buoys.  The 2001 "Chase" was another exceptional showcase of good sportsmanship by the competitors.

The Comfort Inn at Gunston Corner has offered a special regatta rate of $65.00 (1-4 people). Exit 163 from I-95, ten minutes from Sandy Run. (703) 643-3100. Please mention the 2002 Occoquan Chase when registering to recieve the special rate.

Also, please note the new park rules that are now in effect.

Registration

• Registration will be held in the Middle Boathouse on Saturday, October 12, 2002, from 3:00-6:00 p.m., and on regatta day from 9:00-11:30 a.m.
• All coaches, scullers, bows in doubles, and coxswains in fours (4+) and eights (8+) must sign a sportsmanship agreement/acknowledgement document before bow numbers will be assigned.
• Weigh-ins will be held 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Crews must weigh-in together.

Traffic on the Occoquan

• All directions are from a coxswain's perspective.
• Boats must pass to the right of all buoys.
• Boats must keep to the right side of the river when buoys are not present.
• Boats racing have the right-of-way while racing.
• Crews may not practice on the race course during the regatta.
• Any boat interfering with a race will face disqualification.
• The course will be set upo by 10:00 AM on race day.

Number Assignments

• Each boat will be assigned a bow and shirt number at registration.
• The bow number must be attached within one foot (1') of the bow of the hull.
• Shirt numbers must be visible on the back of the sculler or bow person.
• Only boats with a bow number will be allowed to participate.

Equipment

• Each boat must be equipped with a protective bow ball.
• Boats with flexible shoes must have the heels securely attached to the foot stretcher.
• You must bring your own slings, boat stands, etc.

Parking

• All participants will be sent a parking pass along with a receipt of entries, a racecourse map, and the sportsmanship/rules acknowledgement document.
• All cars without a pass will be charged a $5 parking fee.
• Large organizations will be sent one (1) pass for every ten (10) competitors.
• Car-pooling, van-pooling and bus use is encouraged.
• Please drive carefully near the park--it is within a residential area.  Respect posted speed limits.

Race Viewing

• The race may be viewed from the Sandy Run launch site (approximately 1 mile remaining) or the Grandstand area (500m remaining).
• Concessions will be available at the launch site only.

Awards

Winners of each division will be awarded a "Champion of the Chase" shirt immediately after the results are posted.

The Racecourse

• All crews must launch from the Sandy Run inner dock.
• The race will start at Jacob's Rock, two (2) miles from the launch (allow at least 30 minutes).
• The Finish will be one (1) mile downstream from Sandy Run.
• Both Start and Finish will be marked by a single large buoy labeled with an "S" or"F."
• Crews must row 500 meters past the Finish line before turning to return.
• DANGER:  Be aware of a 60-foot dam one (1) mile past the Finish line.  Stay away from it!

The Starting Line

• Each event will have multiple divisions.
• The fastest division in each event will go first.
• Each crew is responsible for being on time for their event.
• Five (5) minutes before each event crews should be in the marshalling area (100-200 meters above the Start buoy).
• Crews will start in numerical order.
• Boats arriving late should wait for instruction from the officials.
• Boats will start 15-20 seconds apart.
• A crew that arrives late or delays the start will be given a sixty (60) second penalty.

Racing

• All boats must stay to the right of all buoys.  Failure to do so will result in a sixty (60) second penalty per buoy.
• Fours (4+) and Eights (8+) must have a coxswain on board for the entire race.
• In passing situations, the faster, passing boats have the right-of-way (shortest course)
• Slower boats should begin to yield to faster boats when the passing boat is within one (1) length of the slower boat's stern.
• Boats that don't yield the right-of-way will be assessed a sixty (60) second penalty and will face possible disqualification.
• No boat should press its right-of way to the point of causing a collision.   Pressing right-of-way to the point of collision will result in disqualification.
• The safety of competitors and equipment will be respected at all times.

Appeals

• Questions of eligibility must be reported immediately.
• Interference calls by regatta officials are final.
• Appeals must be made in writing to the Regatta Director at the Regatta Headquarters.
• The Regatta Committee reserves the right to make judgements on situations not covered in the rules and may disqualify any competitor that appears to violate the spirit of the regatta.

Definitions

Age: As of Regatta date--no rounding up.
Buoy: Large orange traffic cone with a red flag on it, mounted on top of a wooden platform.
College Novice: Never rowed in college before Fall 2002.
HvyWt O: Open to any age, any weight.
Junior: Must be a full-time high school student.  Juniors may row in Junior divisions only.  (events #13, #14 are 2500 meters long).
LtWt Men: Rowers 165 lbs. maximum--no averaging.
LtWt Women: Rowers 135 lbs. maximum--no averaging.
Masters: All rowers must be of specified age to enter--no handicapping of Masters' races.
Novice: Never sculled in a race before 2002.
Recreational: Any age rowed in Alden, Smallcraft, MAAS type boats.

Questions

All questions should be directed to the Regatta Director:

Bob Spousta, GMU Rowing Coordinator
rspousta@gmu.edu

(703) 993-3289 office
(703) 933-3239 fax