Who is responsible for safety at a Rowing Australia regatta?

The rules say the health and safety of all participants is a matter of paramount concern.

• The organising committee provides the safety measures at its regatta. During official course hours, a medical and rescue service must be ready to act on both the land and the water.
• Training happens only during the official training hours announced by the organising committee, with medical and rescue cover on land and water. All crews must be off the water by the course closing time, and crews can be sanctioned for not following this.
• Clubs, schools, coaches and rowers must keep equipment in a safe and suitable condition and make sure rowers meet the swimming and health requirements.
• Rowers and team officials must follow the instructions of the Jury and the organising committee on any safety matter.
• The rules also say the ultimate responsibility for competing safely lies first with the club or school the rower competes for and with the individual rower and their team officials. Rowing Australia accepts no legal liability.

Source: Rowing Australia Rules of Racing (2025 Edition, updated January 2026), Rules 23 and 63.