British Rowing (previously ARA) rules

Various items of information, official and unofficial, regarding the rules of racing of British Rowing (formerly the Amateur Rowing Association).

British Rowing Rules of Racing:

• BR rules of racing (official version on BR website, including notes re changes):
  • 2024
    • 2024 rules , from 1 April 2024
    • Summary of changes since 2023 version
    • Umpires' Handbook
  • 2023
    • 2023 rules, from 1 April 2023
    • Summary of changes since 2022 version
    • Presentation on changes for 2023
    • Rules of Racing app (in Play Store or in Apple App Store) was updated to the 2023 version, but is no longer available there.
    • Umpires' Handbook
  • 2022
    • 2022 rules, from 1 April 2022
    • Summary of changes since 2021 version
    • Presentation on changes for 2022
    • Rules of Racing were available as an app; in Play Store search for "British Rowing" and look for the app with the red & white flags icon. Was updated to 2023 version, but no longer available.
    • Umpires' Handbook
  • 2021
    • 2021 rules, from 1 April 2021
      
    • Summary of changes since 2020 version
  • 2020
    • 2020 rules, from 1 April 2020
      Note that the paragraph:
      "Where shoes or other devices holding the feet will remain in the boat, each shoe or device shall be independently restrained such that when the heel reaches the horizontal position the foot will be released from the shoe."
      was accidentally omitted from para 7-2-8c of the RoR on the website, from the Almanack, and from the Umpires' Handbook.
    • Presentation on 2020 changes
  • 2019
    • 2019 rules from 1 April 2019
    • Tracked changes
    • Summary of 2019 changes
  • 2018
    • 2018 rules from 1 April 2018
    • Tracked changes
    • Summary of 2018 changes
  • 2017
    • 2017 rules from 1 April 2017
  • 2016
    • 2016 rules from 1 April 2016
    • Further notes re heel restraints, which are (of course) needed in training as well as in competition. (The 7cm criterion described here was subsequently changed back, in 2019, to a "horizontal" criterion).
  • 2015
    • 2015 rules from 1 April 2015
  • 2014
    • 2014 rules from 1 April 2014
  • 2013
    • 2013 rules from 1 April 2013
  • 2012
    • 2012 rules corrected version of 2012 rules, from 1 April 2012
    • Rules page and [explanation of changes]
    • Note that there is an error in the version of 3-3-2e in the umpires handbook (& presumably in the Almanack). It should read:
      "Juniors in J14, WJ14 or younger age bands are not permitted to race in sweep oared events (coxswains excepted)"
  • 2011
    • 2011 rules, from 1 April 2011
    • Notes re comparison of points with other associations
  • 2010
    • 2010 rules, from 1 April 2010
    • New Masters handicaps from 1 April 2010
    • Notes re regression, and re change from Veteran to Masters
  • 2009 RULES (from 1st April 09)
    • Supporting information
    • Explanation of 2009 rule changes
    • Event organisers' guide [ version]
    • Points & cards flyer
    • FAQ
    • Veteran handicaps
    • Punching cards for Junior wins
  • 2008 RULES (from 1st April 08)
    • Changes from 1st April 2008 [no longer available]
  • 2007 Rules (from 1st April 07) [no longer available]
  • 2006 rules were available as a PDF file, and also a summary of the 2006 changes [no longer available]
• UNOFFICIAL summaries of the 1997 changes to the ARA's Rules of Racing,
  • ... of the subsequent 1998 & 1999 changes,
  • ... of the changes for the 2000 regatta season and those under consideration for beyond,
  • ... of the 2001 changes,
  • ... of the 2002 changes,
  • ... of the 2003 changes,
  • ... of the 2004 changes,
  • ... and now on the 2005 changes
  • [For 2006 see official summary above]
  • 2007
    • Planned 2007 changes, thanks to the Div Rep for ARA Div 5. [ reconfirmed at Feb 07 Council meeting]
    • 2007 Rules (see official link above)
  • 2008 (see official pages above)
  • 2009: Major changes were introduced - see official details above
  • 2010 (see official pages above)
• Unofficial summary of Junior & Veteran age groups
• Also a copy (thanks to Gavin Dods & Bedford RC) of the ARA's guidance notes about the points system, issued  to regattas in 1998.
• Notes for regattas on punching licence cards
• Previously, but apparently no longer, available from the ARA website:
  • ARA rules
  • [2005 version of rules, but with some errors], and as MSWord document (which seems more accurate)
  • • previous location now superseded
  • Guidance notes re SARA & WARA competitors, & re punching competitors' cards.
  • points FAQ
  • points chart & more FAQ, &
  • guide to clubs on production of racing licences at regattas
  • regression form (and also later version of Points regression form)
• And for the historians, an account of the early formulation of the laws of boat racing, at a meeting in 1872, from Brickwood's book 'Boat Racing'.

Any comments or corrections to me please.  

Page created (by transfer from home page) 4 Feb 2007, last updated 15 Dec 2024.

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