ACT Rowing Association

Australia Day Bridge to Bridge Race 2009

The annual Bridge to Bridge Race is held as part of the Australia Day festivities in the Australian Capital Territory.  RACE BRIEFING 18:00, START 18:10 The Bridge to Bridge race on Monday 26 January is scheduled to start at 18:10.  There will be two races, one for quads and one for eights.  The race has traditionally been for mixed crews and in keeping with this only mixed crews can be recorded as winners and place getters of the races.  Single gender crews may compete on an invitation basis.           There is no entry fee for the races.   The race start will be in the vicinity of the Carillion, the finish line will be in the vicinity of the Captain Cook Fountain (see map [500Kb PDF]).  The starter and BROs may vary the course if weather conditions are adverse.  The main centres of Australia Day celebration activity are Regatta Point and Commonwealth Park, the race commentator will be on Regatta Point.   The first race will be for quads starting at 18:10, the eights will start shortly after with the activity to be completed and boats clear of the area by 18:25 when a dragon boat event is scheduled.  Clubs will observe from the attached map that there will be two fireworks barges moored between the National Library and the fountain, indicated by the 250m exclusion zone.  The exclusion zone will not be enforced and the fireworks barges will not be armed.   Crews should be aware of the fireworks barges as unforgiving solid objects and keep well clear of them.   We do not have any flexibility on timing due to the need to adhere to the schedule for events on the day of which rowing is one part.  Crews must be in the starting area for the BRO briefing at 18:00, crews not present for the briefing will not be allowed to start for safety reasons.   The quads will be in starting position by 18:05 and off at 18:10.   Crews approaching the start through Commonwealth Bridge should come in convoy with other crews from their club to assist the commentator to identify clubs.  Club groups can form up to the west of Commonwealth Bridge and come through the bridge on the city side close to the fountain proceeding to Aspen Island down the Northern side of the course.   Central Basin is closed for the event so normal traffic conventions need not apply.   Fancy dress is encouraged.  Ribbons will be awarded for mixed gender place getters.   While formal entries are not required, please advise your expected club entries by 6 PM Saturday 24 January for BRO control and safety purposes.