Referee Tip for Rowers: The Control Commission

That thing called the control commission can be an enigma to competitors. And yet, the control commission will have an impact on your race day. This article is intended to explain and clarify the function of the commission.

Article V of the Rules of Rowing states, among other things (actually many other things), that one of the functions of the local organizing committee (the LOC) is to appoint a control commission (see rule 5-102(j)). It further states that the control commission shall be “…under the supervision and control of the chief referee…” and “…shall verify that crews and competitors comply with the rules regarding equipment as described in Article III (“Equipment”) and the rules regarding competitors described in Article IV (“Competitors”).”(see 5-105(a))

These duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following: “…Verifying compliance with rules regarding:
(1) substitutions of competitors;
(2) replacement of ill competitors;
(3) weighing of lightweight rowers;
(4) weighing of coxswains and checking of deadweight to be carried by coxswains;
(5) classification by age of competitors;
(6) classification by skill of competitors;
(7) requirement of a bowball on the boat;
(8) requirement of foot release devices;
(9) requirement of a bow number;
(10) possession of prohibited electronic devices;
(11) use of prohibited substances on the hull or oars of a boat;
(12) minimum weight of boats and thickness of oars;
(13) prohibited advertising;
(14) uniforms;
(15) bow coxed boats.”
(see 5-105(b))

Finally, if drug testing is being conducted, the control commission is responsible for insuring the competitor to be tested is escorted to the testing facility (5-105).

It seems like the control commission is responsible for a number of very important matters concerning the safety and fairness of the regatta, but it is surprisingly vague as to exactly who makes up the commission and to what degree these areas are enforced. At smaller regattas it may be composed completely of volunteers. At larger regattas, the members may all be referees. This can result in varying degrees of enforcement from regatta to regatta, that decision being left to the LOC and the chief referee. This can add to further confusion on the part of the coach and athlete as to just how to prepare for an encounter with the Commission. For example, classification of athletes by age and skill is very often addressed by simply accepting as fact the information supplied by the registration form. Other times, each competitor may be required to show identification at registration; crews may even be photographed. Weigh-ins may be run by officials or volunteers or at some small local regattas, not at all.

The control commission will be evident at most regattas at the launching site when officials or volunteers usually check bow balls (see 3-105) and heal restraints (see 3-109) prior to launch. How often have you been frustrated (or was it infuriated?) when a control commission member refused to allow you to launch because your heal restraints weren’t tied down? These individuals, especially if it is a referee and at a major regatta, may also be checking for bow numbers, coxswain weights, uniform compliance, advertising compliance, electrical devices, coxswain’s openings in bow loaded boats, prohibited substances, and perhaps even oar thickness. 

In a perfect world, the LOC should advise all regatta participants in writing prior to the event just how and when these areas will be dealt with. For example, at a venue where launching takes place over a long beach expanse, compliance with the bow ball and heal restraint rules may be either by written statement prior to the regatta or by an honor system. Uniform compliance (see 3-201) may not be enforced. It would seem the controversy over advertising on boat hulls has been put to rest for now at least (see 3-204). Electronic devices are at present limited to stroke rate indicators, speed measuring devices, and cox-boxes. (None of these devices may allow any verbal communication to the coxswain or crew from outside the boat.) (see 3-106) The matter of prohibited substances is at present given a wink and a nod, so long as your boat doesn’t show up with something as obvious as riblets on the hull (see 3-107).

And then, when was the last time your oar thickness was measured? Did you even know there were minimum thicknesses allowed? It is a safety matter, which should probably be more frequently observed. (see 3-108) There are minimum dimensions for the coxswains opening in a bow loaded boat, although it is generally assumed that all newer boats meet this requirement. (see 1-110)

The message to take home from all of this is: These are all rules in the “White Book” and all can be enforced at any time. Admittedly, some seem to be more important than others (some may even be altered in the not too distant future), but they all bear directly on the safety and fairness of the regatta. For that reason alone, each coach and athlete should be aware of them and be in compliance with them.

Row safe. Row Hard.