Volunteering at Regattas

Bow numbers/Office assistant   

Contact Karen Bain karen.bain65@gmail.com 

Issue and return of bow numbers using a simple computer program.  Requires 1-2 people from 75 minutes before the first race until all numbers have been returned at the end of the day.  Follow a loose roster with others to cover the day.

Office assistants learn to use the regatta program and perform crew changes and scratching, answer the radio, printing.  Backup and relief for the Regatta Manager.

Finish line

Contact Tina Maher   tina.maher59@gmail.com

Working as part of a team under the guidance of the Chief Judge to record the race times. 

Computer use, lights and horn operation, timing, recording finish order.

Commentating

Contact Rob Prescott  admin@rowingtasmania.com.au

An ability to name the competitors and call the race in a fair and respectful manner.   Some knowledge of rowing may be helpful but not mandatory.

Boat drivers & Rescue

Contact Peter George  peter.george@veolia.com

Boat drivers pilot the Umpire boats under the instruction of the Umpire.  It is preferred that you hold a Motorboat licence.

A request for availability is emailed the week prior to the regatta and a roster drawn up for the weekend.  You are on water for the whole session, there are three sessions each day.

Rescue personnel are always being sought but do need have good boat handling skills and First Aid qualifications.

Umpire

Contact Phil Fraser fritzfraser@netspace.net.au

Umpires are in very short supply especially at school regattas.  Umpires are required to do a short course to learn the rules.  Level one Umpires can follow races.  Other Umpire positions are Starter and Aligner, these are filled by Level two Umpires. 

Kiosk

Talk to you School or Club Manager

The kiosk is staffed by volunteers.  A request is sent to all clubs and schools during the off season to volunteer in the kiosk.  Clubs and Schools receive a percentage of the profits for their fundraising on a pro rata basis.

End of Regatta pack up.

Contact Rob Prescott admin@rowingtasmania.com.au

At the end of each regatta everything must be put away.  Umpire boats, rescue boats, life jackets, rubbish bins, finish line equipment, bow numbers, computers, radios on to charge.  Any assistance would be appreciated.

Boat holding (School regattas only)

Contact Karen Bain karen.bain65@gmail.com

Boat holders are required for all 2000m starts from the start pontoon.

2000m starts are at the beginning of each session.

Volunteers (eight) meet at the boat ramp 30 minutes before the first race start and are taken by boat to the start pontoon.  When the last boat has started, they are bought back to shore.  A nice way to get a small lake tour.

Boat holders won’t be needed this season until the start pontoon has been rebuilt.

The more people who volunteer at a regatta the less sessions each volunteer needs to do each regatta which would give a much better balance of volunteering and relaxation for everyone.

Currently our volunteers are working all weekend with minimal breaks in all weather conditions as we struggle to find enough volunteers to run a regatta.  We are desperately short of Umpires.   Our Umpires are an aging group with an average age of seventy and many of them talking of retiring in the near future.