These proposed changes to the Rules of Rowing are posted to gather USRowing membership comments. Please send your comments to lauren@usrowing.org. The comments will be collected and reviewed by the Referee Committee. Thank you!
 
1.  Rule 2-410 (a): Outside Assistance

Current Rule: “Rule 2-410 (a) No crew shall receive any outside assistance, coaching, or advice during a race. The Referee may exclude any crew that receives such assistance, coaching, or advice from another member of its team, regardless of whether or not any benefit was received, and any race official who observes such conduct shall report the incident to the Chief Referee, who may curtail or prohibit the further participation at a regatta of any team member found responsible. Nothing in this rule shall preclude communication to crews from shore using the unaided voice.

 Proposed Change:   Deletion of Rule 2-410 (a), but retention of Rule 2-410 (b) and (c). 

2. Rule 3-106: Electronic Devices

Current Rule:  “3-106 Electronic Devices.  A boat may be equipped with an internal loudspeaker system and electronic devices that provide statistical information about the progress of the race or performance of the crew (such as elapsed time or stroke rate). During a race, no boat shall have on board any electronic devices that are capable of ending or receiving information from any source external to the boat, regardless of whether it is actually used. The possession within the boat of any radio device is specifically prohibited.

Proposed Change:   Deletion of this paragraph. 

Reason:  There has been a strong advancement of electronic devices in the rowing community, namely GPS devices. Many of these new electronic devices allow two way transmissions between the crew and the coaches. Many in fact have already been in use at regattas. There is some thought that the focus of crews should be on the race and not on receiving instructions from coaches or team members during the race.

*Please note: these proposed changes are posted merely to solicit public comment and will not be immediately considered for the 2008 Rules of Rowing.