When you have decided on your role, please fill in the volunteer form.
If you think you are racing, check the entries page to see which division, so that you can sign up for the division in which you are not racing.
Which Role?
(good for 2018)
Raft moving: Usually from about 12 noon on Saturday, lasting approximately 2 hours. Unbolting the club rafts, getting additional raft sections from storage and putting them together. Storing them all securely, ready to be moved across to Riverside Meadows on Sunday morning.
Then from 05.00am on Sunday morning, lasting approximately 2-3 hours. The main task is to ferry rafts across the river from the club to Riverside Meadows and secure them all into place. This needs to be done efficiently and smoothly so as to be in place by the time the first crews arrive.
Please state in the notes section whether you are available for ‘Saturday’, ‘Sunday’, or ‘both’. Please also note if you plan to help move rafts back after racing!
Saturday Traffic Signage: Putting signs up around town to direct HoR traffic.
Car Parking: From 6.00am onwards. Can require a firm but polite approach with drivers with regards to where they can/cannot park. Only cars carrying boats will be permitted in the Riverside car park. All non-towing vehicles must use the car park at South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) offices. Volunteers are needed in the following places:
- Next to the traffic lights on the Town Bridge to monitor vehicles entering Riverside car park.
- In Riverside car park to ensure that cars and trailers are all parked prettily and appropriately.
- At SODC to monitor use of the carpark at all times when gates are open.
Buoys am: From 7.30am onwards. You will need to liaise with those doing Sunday am set-up as The Chairman’s Barge will be needed by both groups. This is a 2/3-man job to drop the buoys in along the course where necessary.
Buoys pm: From approx 12.30pm onwards. A 2-3 man job – 1 person to drive The Chairman’s Barge with 1-2 people collecting the buoys. Although collecting buoys whilst following the last race home, you will need to be at the Start before Division Two commences. This will require setting off in plenty of time, sitting and waiting for the races to proceed before heading back to collect the buoys. Plenty of warm clothes (and snacks?) needed, depending on the weather!
Launches: From approx. 8.30am onwards with a brief meeting at the club first. This is always the role that is most difficult to fill so if you are able to drive a launch, please consider this role first. Volunteers are needed to drive launches which may act as a Bank Marshal position and/or carry an Umpire. Some roles will simply require you to moor up to your position and be aware of any hazards during racing, others will be required to follow races. If not available all day, Launch drivers for Div One will be required from approx 8.30am – 1.00pm and Div Two drivers from approx 12.30 pm – 5.00pm.
Race Monitors (Formerly known as Bank Marshals): From approx 8.30am with a brief meeting at the club first. A team of volunteers are required to monitor crews as they head to the Start and be aware of any hazards before and during racing. Race Monitors may have to also politely inform cruisers of HoR event and request their co-operation where necessary. Race Monitors will be positioned along the course of the river and each will have a radio. Some race monitors will be in pairs. Warm kit, wellies and something to sit on are advised. A kind but sometimes firm instruction can be required with some crews.
Starter: One person required to say ‘go’ as crews cross the start line
Start Marshals: From approx 8.30am with a brief meeting at the club first. Volunteers will be positioned above the Start Line and will marshal crews into their relevant numbered positions, prior to racing. Start Bank Marshals will also inform crews when to sort out kit ‘ready to race’ and will advise crews on when to turn their boats.
Start Timing: Please be at The Start by 10.00am. Volunteers are required at the start of the race to time crews as they pass the Start Line, note the order in which they go past and note any other relevant details. A clear head and good eyesight are important along with a calm approach!
Rescue Cars: One located on the bank at South Stoke opposite the Beetle and Wedge, and another at Cholsey Ferry. These volunteers will need their own cars, to collect any scullers who fall in before the start (they will be brought to the bank by launch) and return them to the boating area by road.
Finish Timing: From approx. 10.30am onwards and located at the Finish Line next to OUBC. Volunteers are required to call out the order of the crews as they finish, time the crews as they cross the line and note any other relevant details. A clear head and good eyesight are important along with a calm approach!
Intermediate timing: Please be at Oxford Brookes boat house by 10.00am. Volunteers are required to time crews as they pass this point, note the order in which they go past and note any other relevant details. A clear head and good eyesight are important along with a calm approach!
Results: To work with team leader after each of the Divisions to analyse data to produce race results in super-speedy time!
Medical Officer: A Medical Officer is required throughout the day to offer advice as and when needed. The Medical Officer is normally located near to Catering or on Rafts. If you have any medical or first aid training, please sign up for this role, or enquire for further information, if you are unsure.
Rafts: From 8.30am onwards. Volunteers are required to help crews boat in time for their race, holding the boat whilst they get in and then helping them to push off the raft. Collecting their blades as they join the rafts will also assist in the smooth running of boating. When crews return from races, some may need guidance to ‘land’ safely, particularly if there is a strong wind. Volunteers should also help move blades from the boating area.
Catering: From approx. 6.00am. Volunteers needed to serve and sell: hot and cold drinks, cakes, crisps, chocolate and hot food (burgers, sausages etc on the BBQ). A dedicated team to work well under pressure, feeding and watering a nation of hungry competitors, coaches and spectators!
Afternoon clean up: a team to be on womble duty in the boating and catering areas and along the bank as soon as the event finishes, and to help ensure all equipment is transferred back across to the club as speedily as possible while daylight remains!
Now, please fill in the volunteer form.