CHAIRMAN'S LETTER

I am taking the unusual step of addressing myself directly to all our customers as there are various issues which the Committee feels should be drawn to everyone's attention and over which we would ask for your co-operation.

Boats and boat trailers: Firstly, however, I must thank you all for your compliance with our arrangements made for last year's regatta with regard to the arrival and removal of boats and trailers on the Friday and Saturday. You helped to make the whole operation very much more smoothly than we had dared to hope. Please continue to support us in this way.

Cycling: Cycling alongside races is now a major safety issue for us. The rules we have in place are quite clear. They should ensure that there is no cycling in crowded areas and that no more than one cycle per crew follows each race. However, this is difficult to police and the rules are being flouted both by coaches and by spectators. This has already caused accidents, some of which have involved spectators' small children. We have a "duty of care" to all.

We must therefore insist that all clubs do their utmost to see that, as far as it is in their power, they ensure that their members are aware of the rules and abide by them. It must be your responsibility too, to ensure that your supporters are made aware of the rules. We know that some clubs send out information packs to the parents, telling them all about the regatta and directing their attention to important matters, including the information published on our web-site. We would ask that this may become common practice.

If we cannot achieve effective co-operation on this issue, the Committee will have to consider banning cycling entirely.

Abusive language: Sadly, I have to report that last year we had two cases of coaches using such foul and abusive language to some of our young, voluntary marshals who were simply doing the job they had been asked to do, that they refused to return for duty the following day. This is totally unacceptable behaviour and should it recur we shall not hesitate to apply any of the sanctions available under the ARA Rules of Racing, 2-7-4 and 2-7-5, as we see fit.

Entry qualifications: The popularity of the NSR poses problems of capacity which prompt the question: "Are we a regatta for the very best crews in each category or do we wish to cater for all and sundry?" Thus far we have avoided imposing any limitations or qualifications on entries. However, this is not a regatta for inexperienced crews and so we have now had to impose some new rules, which begin to do so. Sadly, this is in part due to the failure of some coaches to be realistic about the suitability of some of their crews for the sort of competition they will meet at this regatta. We intend to monitor the racing to identify crews that are clearly well off the pace. Clubs concerned may expect sanctions the following year.

Changes to the racing timetable: I have also to advise you that we have altered the arrangement of some of the racing and also some of the rules governing entries. These are published in the accompanying circular and on our web-site. We appreciate that the changes we have made, especially holding all J14 events over 1000 metres on the Friday, may well mean that those who have made hotel bookings may have to make changes. We can only apologise for any inconvenience caused.

I hope that you will understand and sympathise with the concerns that have prompted this letter and that you will do everything you can to enable us all to enjoy a thoroughly successful and happy National Schools Regatta in 2005.

Peter Politzer.
Chairman, NSR.