What safety rules apply to school rowers on the water and at regattas?
Rule- South Africa
- Rowing South Africa
- SASRU
- Schools rowing
- U14-Open
- 2025/26
- Parents
Boats and equipment (SASRU rules and RowSA Rules of Racing)
- Every boat, at practice and at regattas, must have a bow ball: a solid white ball at least 4 cm across, firmly fixed to the bow.
- Boats must have approved heel restraints (no longer than 70 mm), and feet must never be tied in so they can't get out quickly. Shoes must meet the quick-release rule: a single quick pull on one easily reached strap, or no hands needed.
- Boats must meet minimum weights and float when swamped.
Rowers
- Every rower must have passed the Standard Sculling Test, including swimming 50 m in rowing kit.
- Wearing hats is strongly recommended.
- Clubs must declare any medical condition that could put a rower at risk to control commission before the race. The information is passed to the umpire.
Regatta organisers must provide:
- At least one rescue boat with experienced crew. RowSA's minimum is one per 1,000 m of course, each with a first-aid-trained crew member, life jackets and a rescue torpedo.
- Competent first-aid services. RowSA's minimum is an intermediate and a basic paramedic per 250 competitors, with resuscitation equipment.
- A published safety plan, traffic rules for the water, and marked places of safety for lightning.
The course is closed to training boats from 30 minutes before the first race until 30 minutes after the last.
Added 22 Oct 2026