Rules of the FALS Docks
- Crews and Coaches must follow the directions of the volunteer staff, as they are there for the safe operation of the docks.
- Docks and launch areas are restricted to competitors + one (1) boat representative (ie coach).
- Depending on Practice, Race and Weather conditions – landing or launching may take priority at certain times. Please be patient and cautious. Some docks can get extremely busy at times.
- Dock hours:
Friday:
Docks will be staffed by HOCR volunteers from approximately 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. No boats may launch after 5:00 PM and must be off the water by 6 PM.
Saturday & Sunday:
Docks will be staffed by HOCR volunteers from approximately 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There is NO practice on Saturday afternoon after racing.
- Launching or landing on the dock without volunteer staff is performed at the crew’s risk.
Commission Control
All boats will be checked for the following prior to launching onto the Head Of The Charles Course. If these items are not present, boats will be asked to step out of the launching line to make necessary corrections.
Bow Balls
- All boats must have an appropriate bow ball affixed firmly or they will not be able to launch for practice or racing.
- Competitors are responsible for obtaining a bow ball if necessary.
Heel Ties
- For boats with traditional foot stretchers, heel ties are mandatory. The “three finger rule” is employed as an acceptable gauge for slack between shoe and foot plate.
- Boats must have heel ties attached from the shoe to the footplate boards in the boat for traditional stretchers. No ties are needed for Rigid Sole / Virtual Pivot foot stretchers.
- Competitors are responsible for obtaining heel ties if necessary.
Prior to Launching
All crews must be prepared for the following before approaching the FALS docks:
- Oars – All oars should be in the oar racks at the dock area prior to launching.
- Oarlocks – Must be open and hanging loosely before the competitors set foot on the dock
- Shoes – It is suggested that crews take their own footwear in the boat with them or leave it with the boat representative. There may not be any other place to leave it during the row and you may land at a different dock than you launched from.
Launching
- Boats shall enter the launch area bow first unless otherwise instructed by volunteer staff.
- There may be a long wait to launch, especially during Friday practice. Crews should bring their own slings (and be prepared to remove them from the launch area when they launch) if they do not want to hold the boat while waiting.
- HOCR volunteer staff will carry the oars on and off the docks.
- Crews should plan 30 seconds on the dock, as there will be many others waiting behind them.
- Please be careful putting in and taking out boats as the Charles River may be shallow and/or rocky near docks.
- Crews should plan to tie in after launching from the dock.
Landing
- Crews are expected to land and be off the dock within one minute of landing.
- Crews may be asked to put on their shoes after leaving the dock to speed dock operations.
- The boat representative should be ready to assist with bringing shoes upon the boat’s arrival at the dock.
- If you are landing at Dock 3, use extra caution when carrying your boat out of the launch area, as you will be immediately entering the public pedestrian footpath that is often very crowded.
