Rules for the Roth Pond Regatta

• The races are divided into two subgroups:
  • Speedsters: Any boat crewed solely by one person.
  • Yachts: Any boats crewed by two to four people.

• Materials
  • The following are approved materials for building the boats:
    • Cardboard
    • Duct Tape
    • String
    • Paint (Not Epoxy or Oil based)
    • Paraffin Wax
    • Cloth, only to be used in sails.
    • White Casein Glue (e.g. Elmer's white glue, NOT wood glue)
  • The following materials are strictly prohibited:
    • Styrofoam, in any shape or form
    • Wood
    • Metal
    • Rubber
    • Plastic
    • Staples
    • Milk Crates
    • Contact Paper
    • Anything not listed in the approved materials list.
  • You may bring questionable materials to the Regatta Committee for final approval.
  • All materials used or intended to be used must be listed on your registration form. Failure to list materials that you used will result in disqualification. If there is doubt that you will use a material, list it anyway. There will be no penalty for *not* using a material that you listed.
• Construcion
  • Construction space will be provided on site on the day of the Regatta.
  • Any group choosing to construct their boat in advance shall not do so in a manner that would cause members of the campus community undue inconvenience.
• Design
  • Design is an element of the Regatta's judging, including: appearance, apparent sea-worthiness, originality, and costumes worn by the crew.
  • While crews may design their boat in any way they choose, extra points will be awarded for keeping with the year's Official Theme.
  • Boats built in contradiction to the Official Regatta Theme will not be considered for Best Of Show.
• Dimensions
  • The maximum length overall for any boat shall be 20 feet.
  • The maximum beam (breadth) for any boat shall be 15 feet.
  • The minimum volume of the boat shall be 3 cubic feet per crew member. (The Kevin Baum Rule)
• Propulsion
  • Paddles, for the exclusive use of rowing, may be of any material, and may be prefabricated. No sharp edges are allowed. All paddles will be inspected and must be of a reasonable size. Paddles will not be provided.
  • Sails are allowed, provided the sail area is no greater than one hundred (100) square feet. 
  • Use of the bottom for means of propulsion is strictly prohibited. This includes walking, "pushing off" with paddles, and poling/punting (as in using long poles to push yourself across the pond).
• Repairs
  • The crew may only use one boat for the entire duration of the Regatta. Repairs are allowed between heats; however, all repair materials must be in your original materials list, and the committee is allowed to inspect and approve all repairs being made.

The Crew  

• The captain, who must actually pilot the boat.
• In the yacht class, up to 3 others as crew.
• A land crew to aid in getting the boat in the water. The land crew may consist of no more than 6 people other than those actually crewing the boat.

• Life preservers shall be supplied by the Roth Pond Regatta and must be worn by all crew members riding in the boat. These must be returned immediately following each heat. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
• Footwear (sneakers, shoes, boots) must be worn by all those entering the water. No sandals will be allowed.
• No person (crew or otherwise) may be attached to the boat in any way; that is, if the boat sinks, all persons must be able to float free. This includes, but is not limited to: no taping oneself to the boat, no strapping oneself to the boat, no footholds that extend to the top of the foot, and no occupancy of enclosed cabins.
• No projectiles, spikes, explosives, or other implements of destruction may be used; nor any action, direct or indirect, shall be made to cause damage or hindrance to the other boats, or in any way endanger any other person, be they spectator or racer.
• There will be lifeguards, SBVAC, members of the Roth Pond Regatta committee, and security personnel at the event. It is mandatory that all participants and spectators give them their full cooperation.
• Any person or group who violates any law or the policies set by the University's Department of Public Health and Safety or the University's Student Conduct Code while at the event or preparing for the event will be unwelcome at the event and subject to fines and removal from the event site. This includes but is not limited to: pushing other students into the water, entering the pond without a lifejacket, "practicing" in the pond or using boats in the pond at any time except during the event. The parties in question will also be permanently barred from participating in the Regatta.
• Any person or group who violates any law or the policies set by the University's Department of Public Health and Safety or the University's Student Conduct Code while: gathering materials, constructing boats on-site, constructing boats off-site, storing boats off-site, or transporting boats to the site, will be immediately disqualified from the Regatta, and barred from participating in the Regatta for a period of five years. This includes but is not limited to: Fire Code violations regarding the storage of boats or materials, parking illegally while transporting boats, driving vehicles in the Inner (Roth) Quad, storage of materials or boats in unauthorized areas, Moving Violations due to improper loading of vehicles with materials or boats, or improper use of University equipment.

• Each class will be run in a separate series of heats. The fastest times in each will be used to determine which boats participate in the final heat. The number of entries in the preliminary heats will determine how many boats are in the finals. This will be determined by the committee after registration ends.
• At the start of each heat the boat will be suspended above the water until the start signal is given. At this time, the boat may then be lowered into the water and the crew may enter the boat and begin their journey to the finish line.
• The Speedster class will run first, followed by the Yacht class heats. The final heat for each will be run in the end to allow more time for repairs to be made.
• At the end of the regatta, your boat and any pieces from your boat must be disposed of properly. Failure to do so by any team will result in forfeiture of any prizes, and the group in question shall be barred from competing in the subsequent 3 Regattas. Your team may also be fined by the University for clean-up costs. A dumpster will be provided for disposal purposes.

• All decisions of the executive officers and the official judges are final.
• Best Of Show Category:
  • Boats are to be judged on design, appearance, apparent sea-worthiness, and originality.
  • The appearance category can include consideration for costumes worn by the crew.
  • Boats built in contradiction to thr Official Regatta Theme will not be considered for Best of Show.

• Trophies shall be awarded to the top three of each category. As well, the first place winners of each catergory will have their names added to the Roth Pond Regatta Perpetual Trophies.
  • The Roth Pond Cup shall be given to the Yacht Class winner.
  • The Seawolf Cup shall be awarded to the Speedster Class winner.
  • The Staller Cup shall be awarded to the Best of Show.

*** Notice to All Participants****

All boats must be walked into the pond region or built on site. Cars are not permitted in the quad and any drivers will be fined and/or given points on their license if ticketed by Campus Police.