Start Line Mission

Our role is to manage the process of starting all 11,500+ competitors racing more than 2,000 boats across 61 events on time and safely.  Our aim is to begin all scheduled races within 5 seconds of the appointed and published minute.  Momentary varying from this is permitted, but only for reasons of safety.

General Overview

The Start Line group operates from the Crew Coaches’ office located upstairs at the BU DeWolfe Boathouse.  We’re in contact with safety marshals stationed in launches in the competitor warm up area, but we don’t join them in the boats.  We also coordinate with the HOCR Timing Groups stationed on the BU Balcony.

Our primary tools are:   Clocks, Cabela spotting scopes, a web-based competitor spotting-check in utility, 2-way radios and a honking-loud PA system.  Our PA carries instructions nearly a mile downrange to competitors warming-up in the basin area.

Our Start Volunteers are the Cream of the Crop  (of all Regatta vols) with savvy experience, terrific eyesight/insight and fantastic senses of humor.