ROYAL CANADIAN HENLEY REGATTA

Rules, Regulations & Policies

Sanctioned by ROWING CANADA AVIRON (RCA) & THE CANADIAN HENLEY ROWING CORPORATION (CHRC) Races are 2,000 Metres; Dashes are 500 Metres; Races for Masters are 1,000 Metres.

ROYAL CANADIAN HENLEY REGATTA - RULES INDEX:

1. EXEMPTIONS: RCA RULES OF RACING
2. ENTRIES: DAILY RACE LIMITS & Entry Policies
3. DEFINITIONS
4. APPLICABILITY OF RULES AND REGULATIONS
5. CLUB ELIGIBILITY
6. COMPETITOR ELIGIBILITY
7. HENLEY MASTERS ROWING ELIGIBILITY
8. HEALTH & SAFETY
9. RULES OF GENERAL APPLICATION
10. FEES, PENALTIES AND FINES
11. ROWONTARIO CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT POLICY
12. ROWING CANADA SAFE-SPORT POLICY
13. POLICY ON DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
14. VACCINATION POLICY

1.0 EXEMPTIONS: RCA RULES OF RACING

RCA Rules of Racing:

1.6 Excemptions from the RCA Rules of Racing are listed below. An Organizing Committee of a Regatta may depart from the RCA Rules of Racing only if:

1.6.1 the "local" rules to be applied are clearly outlined in the application for RCA Sanction, and are approved by RCA beforehand,

1.6.2 all participants are notified of the "local" rules prior to the regatta in the pre-event information: and;

1.6.3 the "local" rules provide a level of safety and fairness equal to those in the RCA Rules of Racing.

2022 RCHR List of Exmptions

The Royal Canadian Henley Regatta has applied to Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) for exceptions from the following rules. Please see the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta rules for competitors to see how each is handled at this regatta. 

2.5 Coxswains Weights: Coxswains weights for Masters, U23, and Senior coxswains for the Henley
Regatta will be 50kgs. If underweight, a coxswain shall carry sufficient deadweight to compensate for the underweight condition to a maximum of 10 kg.
2.7 Masters Competitors: A rower may not compete in non-masters events and masters events in both the Masters Events and the regular Henley Events. A coxswain is exempt from the above statement. Coxswains are eligible to be a coxswain both in Masters Events and regular Henley Events.
2.11- Athletes will only be allowed to step on the scale once each day that they are competing.
6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 Advertising: The RCHR requires sponsors to run the event and part of the agreements
with sponsors is signage at the site and an online presence, some of these sponsors may promote alcoholic beverages
7.6- No substitution for a single sculler will be accepted
8.7.3- Due to safety and environmental issues, the warm up pattern will have crews rowing in the same direction as the racing lanes
9.6 Fairness Committee- The Fairness Committee will be comprised of the Chief Umpire, Regatta Chair, Safety Officer, and the Chair of the Organizing Committee

2.0 ENTRIES: DAILY RACE LIMITS & ENTRY POLICIES

2.1 There will be a maximum of 100 races per day with a maximum entry limit. This limit has been based on the entries per event over the last few years. Each limit will be posted on the RCHR Registration System. The online registration system will accept requests to be added to the Wait List on any event that has exceeded the entry cap with paid entries. Once the Entry Cap has been met for an individual event, Clubs who's Club Caps for that event have not been exceeded for that event will be eligible to create an entry in that event's Wait List. Please visit the Entry, Refund, Wait List & Late Entry Policies chapter for detailed information.

Entry Policy

For each boat entered, entry fees are due at the time entries are submitted to the RCHR Official Registrar. Entries are not processed, valid and final until all fees have been paid in full. 

Refund Policy

After payment has been made, there will be no refunds for entry cancellations or withdrawals. 

Wait List Entry Policy

Getting assigned to the Wait List:

• All Events have a Club Cap and an Entry Cap
• If a Club exceeds its Club Cap for an Event, all of that Club’s subsequent entries for that Event shall be assigned to the Wait List in the order in which they are received.
• Once the Entry Cap has been met for an Event, all subsequent entries for that Event shall be assigned to the Wait List in the order in which they are received.
• Once the Entry Deadline has passed, no further entries will be accepted to the Wait List for any Event

Getting off the Wait List:

• Wait List entries will be considered only after the Entry Deadline.
• If the Event Cap has not been exceeded for an Event, Clubs with entries on the Wait List due to having exceed their Club Cap shall be considered in the order in which the entries were received to fill the Event.
• If an Event is full, and an Event Entry cancellation takes place prior to publication of the Final Draw, Wait List entries will be accepted and processed in the order in which they were received; however, priority will be given to Clubs that have not exceeded their Club Cap for that Event. Clubs that have exceeded their Club Cap will have their Wait List entries processed only once all other Wait List entries have been exhausted.

NOTES:

• Cancellation and withdrawals of Event Entries will NOT be refunded.
• Wait List Entries are assessed the same fees as Event Entries (i.e., not considered late entries).
• When a Wait List Entry is accepted as an Event Entry, the Account Holder will be notified with a deadline for payment. Unless you remove your entry from the waitlist before the entry has been accepted the Account Holder will be invoiced for the entry fee. 

Late Entry Policy

Late Event Entry fees are double the original Entry fee for that event Late Event Entries will only be considered at the RCHR in cases where:

• The resitration system will accept late entries for all events shortly after the posting of the Preliminary Draw
• Late entries will not be accepted untill all Wait-list Entries have been exhausted;
• If an event has open lane(s), lanes will be filled on a first come first serve basis upon completion of payment (late fees apply);
• Late Entries will not be accepted no later than 3:00pm on the day PRIOR to the first race in said event;
• *New* - Late entries will be assigned on a first come, first server basis.

Late Entries will not be accepted for Henley Masters in cases where:

• A single sculler or crew is entering an age category that is lower than their actual age category (eg. No late entries accepted for crews rowing down a category)

3.0 DEFINITIONS

3.1 For the purpose of interpreting these Rules and Regulations (hereinafter the Rules), the following words and phrases shall have the following meaning:

Qualified Club

a rowing club that is a member in good standing of their respective national rowing federation/association and of the Royal Canadian Henley Joint Commission;

Waivers

all participants must sign a waiver as a condition to participation in the Regatta. No athlete will be permitted on the course prior to completing his/her waiver.

Club Eligibility Roster (CER)

Competitors or potential Competitors listed by name, birth date, national registration number inputted into the RCHR Registration System certified by their National Rowing Association ;

Club Official

the President or Captain (or other title used by a Qualified Club to designate their chief executive officer) of any Qualified Club from time to time. In the absence of the President or Captain, any two directors of the Qualified Club may act in his/her stead;

Competitor

an individual, whether rower or coxswain, who is a member in good standing of a Qualified Club and is registered with their nations National Rowing Assiciation and has been identified on the Club Eligibility Roster (CER);

Coach

an individule who is registered with their National Rowing Association and a coach of said Qualified Club, and has been identified on the Clubs Eligibility Roster;

Composite Crews

Crews that are made up of Competitors from more than a single Qualified Club. Composite Crews do not qualify for competition in any Club Event; Composite Crews may compete in Championship & Dash events;

Club Event(s)

those regular events that are ordinarily identified at the Regatta as being open to Qualified Clubs and specifically do not include Championship Events or other special events that may be identified as such by the Commission from time to time;

Late Entry

any entry submitted after entries close. A Late Entry shall be accepted if an open lane is available and inclusion will not cause an additional race accompanied by the Late Fee payment. Please visit Entry, Refund, Wait List & Late Entry Policy section, as well as the Fees chapter.

Restricted Athlete

any Competitor who has competed as a representative of his/her country at the World Rowing Championships | Olympics | World Cup | World Under 23 Championships | World Junior Championships | in the current year, excluding CANAMEX athletes; Restricted Athletes are only permitted to enter/race Championship Events, Open Dashes & Para Events

Substitute Competitor

an individual who meets all the requirements of a Competitor, who is a member in good standing of the same Qualified Club and is registered with their nations National Rowing Assiciation as the Competitor he/she is replacing, is shown as listed on the Club Eligibility Roster and, except in extraordinary circumstances which with the permission of the Chief Umpire, is substituted for the Competitor he/she is replacing not later than 4:00pm on the day immediately preceding the scheduled event for which the substitution is intended. 

Non-Compliant Club

any Club that has not registered with their nations National Rowing Assiciation

RCHR Registration System

Regatta Central

Crew

two (2) or more Competitors in a single boat;

RCA

Rowing Canada Aviron;

CHRC

Canadian Henley Rowing Corporation;

Regatta (RCHR)

the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta as staged in any year;

Commission

the Royal Canadian Henley Joint Commission (RCHJC) is a 5 member board as appointed by the Canadian Henley Rowing Corporation (CHRC)  and Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) or otherwise constituted from time to time;

Chief Umpire

the individual appointed to that position by the Henley Commission;

Jury

the group of RCA Umpires whose duty is to ensure that a regatta is run safely and in accordance with the RCA Rules of Racing;

Board of the Jury

the Chief Umpire and two other Umpires to be determined each day of the regatta;

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4.0 APPLICABILITY OF RULES AND REGULATIONS

4.1 These Rules shall apply to both eligibility for and the staging of the Regatta.

4.2 Unless these Rules otherwise provide, the RCA Rules of Racing, as amended, shall apply to all events staged at the Regatta.

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5.0 CLUB ELIGIBILITY

5.1 Only Qualified Clubs and their members, provided they have complied with all of the requirements of these Rules, may participate in Club Events.

5.2 In order to participate in the Regatta, a Qualified Club shall comply with all of the following:

5.2.1 Submit all entries on-line, not later than the date outlined in the Registration Dates & Deadlines Chapter of this website. Entries will not be accepted if submitted by phone, e-mail or facsimile. Boating lineups can be changed online no later than the date listed on the Registration Dates & Deadlines chapter of this website.

5.2.2 Payment will be in accordance with the Schedule of Fees. Payment made on line by credit card at the time of submission of entries. 

5.2.3 It is the responsibility of each Qualified Club to ensure that they carry a zero balance of any monies owing not only towards the current years regatta, but, from any previous years regatta. All and any outstanding balances from previous years and/or Fees, Fines and Penalties associated with that Club become the responsibility and ownership of that associated Club.

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6.0 COMPETITOR ELIGIBILITY

6.1 Only those individuals who meet the definition of Competitor as herein defined and whose names appear on the Club Eligibility Roster of his/her Qualified Club may compete in a Club Event. Please visit the Restricted Athlete definition as listed on this website.

Age Categories:

Under 17

A rower or coxswain shall be defined as an Under 17 competitor until the 31st of December of the year in which he or she reaches the age of 16. After that date, the athlete shall be classified as a Junior athlete.

Under 19

A rower or coxswain who is no longer an Under 17 competitor shall be classified as a Junior competitor until the 31st of December of the year in which he or she reaches the age of 18. After that date the athlete shall be classified as an Under 23 athlete.

Under 23

A rower and coxswain who is no longer an Under 19 athlete shall be classified as Under 23 until the 31st of December of the year in which he or she reaches the age of 22. After that date, the athlete shall be classified as Senior.

Senior

A rower or coxswain who is 23 years or older during the calendar year in which he or she is competing.

Master

A rower may compete as a Master from the beginning of the year in which he or she reaches 21.

A rower may compete in non-Master events during the same year the rower competes as a Master, provided all the following requirements are met:

• The rower is not a Restricted Athlete;
• The rower competes exclusively in Masters events or non-Masters events in any one regatta;
• The rower still meets other event requirements of the category in which he or she is entering (weight, etc.).

A Master shall be placed in the age category shown in 7.2 Masters Rowing Eligibility.

Classifications:

6.3 Weighins: Henley Masters coxswain weigh-ins Masters Sunday 7:00am to 9:00am. Tuesday to Saturday: two hours before the first race of the day to two hours after the first race of the day. Actual times will be posted once the draw is complete. Final Sunday: 9.00am to 11.00am. Practice scales are located underneath the stairs between the two boathouses and are calibrated each day of competition. Athletes must weigh-in wearing their Clubs Racing Uniform

Henley Masters Lightweights will weigh-in Sunday 7:00am to 9:00am. Scales will be open for two hours. Tuesday to Sunday: two hours before the first race of the day to two hours after the first race of the day. Actual times will be posted once the draw is complete. Final Sunday: 9:00am to 11:00am.  Athletes will only be allowed to step on the scale once each day that they are competing.  Max weight for males 72.5kg and 64kgs and females 59kg and 52kgs. Practice scales are located underneath the stairs between the two boathouses and are calibrated each day of competition. Athletes must weigh-in wearing their Clubs Racing Uniform

The following weight restrictions shall apply for all Competitors other than Coxswains in any Club Event staged on the basis of weight categories:

6.3.1 The following weight restrictions shall apply to Coxswains by way of minimums:

• Sr/U23 Male Crews Coxswains: 50kg
• U17/U19 Male Crews Coxwains: 45kg
• Sr/U23 Female Crews Coxswains:  50kg
• U17/U19 Female Crews Coxwains: 45kg

6.3.3 Failure to meet weigh-in requirements excludes the Competitor from competing in that event. Each Competitor shall be appropriately dressed in his/her club racing uniform for the purpose of the weigh-in.

6.4 A Competitor may only compete for his/her Qualified Club at the regatta. A Competitor who is a member of more than one (1) Qualified Club must elect which club he/she will represent. A Competitor may only appear on the Regatta Central Club Eligibility Roster of one (1) Qualified Club. A Competitor who breaches this Rule may be disqualified from further participation in the Regatta, his/her Crew will be scratched and his/her Qualified Club(s) may be fined, all in accordance with the provisions of 10.0 Fees, Penalties and Fines hereof.

6.6 Each Competitor must have on his/her person, readily available for inspection, personal identification which includes photo identification documents (I.D.) and which also specifies his/her full name and date of birth. I.D. presented must be available for inspection at the dock prior to the launch for any Event or heat. Failure to provide such I.D. will result in a Yellow Card and may result in exclusion of the Competitor or crew from the event if the ID is not shown within a time limit.

6.7 A Competitor listed as a member of a Crew may only be substituted by a Competitor of the same Qualified Club in accordance with the filing of the appropriate name change at the Regatta Office. Substitutes may only be made in accordance with the RCA Rules of Racing and must be made by 4:00pm on the day prior to the scheduled date of the race. Name changes are subject to the payment of the Fees.

6.8.0 Regatta Packets and Admissions Wristbands will be distributed in the Regatta Office (Henley Monday forward). The RCHR can refuse to distribute Regatta Packets and/or Admissions Wristbands to any/all Non-Complient Clubs. All athletes will need a wrist band to access the dock area and all coaches will have a different wrist band that they need to access the dock. 

Waivers:

6.9.0 All non-Canadaian or International participants must sign a waiver as a condition to participate in the regatta. Online waivers must be submitted before the regatta registration deadline. To submit a waiver follow instructions on RCHR Registration System  2022 Waiver Link.

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7.0 HENLEY MASTERS ROWING ELIGIBILITY

7.1 All Club and Athlete Eligibility Rules apply to all Henley Masters Events.

7.2 The following age restrictions shall apply to the following Henley Masters Events categories. In all cases a Master athlete shall be placed in a category shown below corresponding to the age reached by the Competitor in the year the Regatta is staged:

Master Categories (Men, Women & Mixed)

• AA - 21 years & over
• A - 27 years & over
• B - 36 years & over
• C - 43 years & over
• D - 50 years & over
• E - 55 years & over
• F - 60 years & over
• G - 65 years & over
• H - 70 years & over
• I - 75 years & over
• J - 80 years & over
• K - 83 years & over
• L - 86 years & over
• M - 89 years & over

7.3 Various age categories may be raced in the same event.

7.4 Composite crews are not permited Masters events.

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8.0 HEALTH & SAFETY

8.1 It is the responsibility of each Competitor and his/her Qualified Club to assure that the Competitor is in good health and physically fit to participate in the Regatta. In permitting the Competitor to participate, the Commission assumes no responsibility whatsoever for the health and physical fitness of any Competitor and none shall be implied.

8.2 It is the responsibility of each Qualified Club that each Competitor shown on the Club Eligibility Roster is a competent swimmer able to swim to shore, if necessary, on the Royal Canadian Henley Course. In certifying the Club Eligibility Roster, the Club Official is deemed to have confirmed this fact.

8.3 The safety and well being of any Competitor while participating in the Regatta, whether off or on Henley Island or other parts of the Regatta venue is the responsibility of the Qualified Club to which the Competitor belongs and their represented officials.

8.4 If for any reason the Competitor comes under the auspices of the Regatta Medical Personnel (by reason of a substitution or otherwise) the decision of said Medical Personnel as to whether the Competitor is fit to further participate in the Regatta shall be final and binding or if a athlete produces a medical certificate for a name change then the named athlete is no longer able to participate in any events for the remainder of the regatta.

8.5 Only the Chief Umpire may amend, vary or otherwise abrogate any of these Rules in the interest of on-water safety of the Competitors and the decision of the Chief Umpire and the Jury shall be final, binding and unappealable on any issue of safety.

8.6 Each and every Competitor, by participating in the Regatta, is deemed to agree that he/she may be subject to Doping Control Tests as that term is defined and applied in the RCA Rules of Racing.

8.7 All boats shall be equipped with shoes that have automatic or speed safety releases and heel tie-downs. Boats that do not have such equipment will not be permitted to be raced. All boats shall be equipped at the bow with a soft white ball of rubber or similar soft material.

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9.0 RULES OF GENERAL APPLICATION

9.1 All competitors while in either in competition or weigh-ins, must be wearing their Clubs Singlets, Uni-Suit or Shirts as specified in the Club Colour Reference Sheet as submitted to the Regatta Office;

9.1.1 The Competitors' uniforms for race events shall be representative of the Qualified Club's colours as submitted to the Regatta Office. All members representing a rowing club at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta must be represented in consistent club colours. Although it is understood that a variety of rowing uniforms are available such as singlets, unisuits etc., officials of the Regatta must see a clear consistency in the colour and pattern worn by all members, male and female, representing one club;

9.1.2 Each Competitor shall be in uniform for each race event whether in the launch area, finish area or on the water;

9.1.3 No Competitor is allowed to be bare torso in the launch area, on the water, or in the finish area, whether during or after a race or during a practice period;

9.2 Crews for Club Events will be called to launch approximately thirty (30) minutes before the start of any heat or semi-final, forty (40) minutes for any heat and semi-finals for an Eight (8+). Crews will not be called for finals and will bear the responsibility to be prepared to launch at the appropriate time. In all circumstances for all races, it is the responsibility of each Crew to be at the starting gates on time. No Crew will be permitted to push-off the launch dock earlier than thirty (30) minutes before their race, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Regatta Chair and/or Chief Umpire;

9.3 Training: ALL Crews and Scullers Must be registered and active on the RCHR's Registration System and must be scheduled in the competition. Crews and Scullers who have completed all their events must have permission from the Organizing Committee to continue to train during scheduled training times;

9.4 Except for consumption of alcoholic beverages in Provincially Licensed establishments/areas, either on Henley Island or in the Grandstand, the keeping or consumption of alcoholic beverages on Henley Island is strictly forbidden regardless of whether the individual in question is of legal drinking age in Ontario. Because of the provisions of Provincial legislation, this is considered to be a zero tolerance rule. A breach of this may result in any or all of the following: if the offender is a Competitor, the disqualification of that Competitor from competition in the Regatta; if the breach is or should be within the knowledge of the Qualified Club or any of their officials, the disqualification of the Club from Henley Island and the possible disqualification of all Competitors of that Club from competition in the Regatta. Local Authorities will be called about offences;

9.5 Each Crew or individual Competitor listed in the draw of events is responsible for showing up and participating in the scheduled event. Any Qualified Club whose Crew or individual Competitor fails to participate in the event they have entered (scratches) without the permission of the Regatta Chair, shall be fined the sum of Seventy Five ($75.00) Dollars and shall automatically be assessed a penalty by way of deduction to their aggregate point score. A Qualified Club wishing to avoid the assessment of the automatic point score penalty shall complete and file with the Regatta Office the requisite scratch application forms duly completed with the Shell I.D. number and shall pay the requisite scratch fee as set out in Schedule B by 4:00pm of the day prior to the scheduled race event. All scratch fees shall be assessed against the Qualified Club's Regatta Central account;

9.6 Any Crew or Competitor requiring hot seat return to the dock shall notify the Dock Marshall AND the Registrar at the Clerks Booth.The Dock Marshall will then use his/her best efforts to arrange the return of the Competitor to the launch area. No race shall be delayed to accommodate a crew that is hot seating;

9.7 Weed fouling shall not be a reason for protest.

9.8 In any situation that arises when a rower looks as though they may be in need of assistance, the safety boat should approach them at minimal speed and ask if they require assistance. If the rower(s) do(es) not require assistance upon falling out of the shell, the safety boat is to let the rower return to their rowing shell and continue the race. If the rower(s) require(s) assistance, the safety boat is to let the rower(s) know that if they assist the rower(s), then the rower(s) will be eliminated from the race

9.9 Back Bay Training - Rowing in the Back Bay (behind the Island and below the Island Bridge) will be permitted during the hours posted in the Daily Calendar chapter of this website. Training in the Back Bay is for ACTIVE competitors only, unless otherwise approved in writing by either the Regatta Chairman or Chief Umpire. Shell types permitted in the Back Bay - Singles, Doubles and Pairs ONLY. Under no circumstances are any other shell type permitted in the Back Bay area.

9.10 Back Bay Procedures - Active competitors will be permitted on-water training in one (1) hour shifts on the hour. Prior to launching, All Active competitors must register, Full Name, Club Name and Shell ID with the Dock Master. Registration will be permitted no sooner than 90 minutes in advance of launch. At the hour, 15 boats will be permitted to register, 30 minutes past the shift, 7 boats will be permitted to register, there is a Maximum of 15 boats on the water during any given shift. All boats will logged for time on/off the water. Non-Active competitors may with the permission of the Regatta Chair, may be able to train in a vacant time slot and by permission by the Dock Master.

9.11 Back Bay Traffic Pattern & Safety - Entry from the Race Course and rowing past the Island Bridge is strictly forbidden. Boats will be required to launch upstream towards the Island Bridge, and then following a Clockwise pattern arounf the line of small buoys. Do not veer close to the race course. There will be two safety boats monitoring the Back Bay Training area.

9.12 Back Bay Out of Bounds - no crew shall row into the water on the south, north or west side of Henley Island as these areas are not patrolled by safety boats

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10.0 FEES, PENALTIES AND FINES

10.1 Any and all fees payable for entry and other participation in the Regatta shall be set out from time to time in the Fees Chapter should confirm current status of fees by contacting the Regatta Office or checking the Regatta's website.

10.2 Unless otherwise provided herein, all penalties or fines assessed against a Competitor or a Crew on racing protocol shall be in accordance with the provisions of the RCA Rules of Racing.

10.3 Penalties and fines may be imposed on a Competitor, a Crew or a Qualified Club for breaches of these Rules. Such penalties and fines at the discretion of the Chief Umpire and/or of the Regatta Chair, may include but not necessarily be limited to: suspension from participation in the Regatta for up to two (2) years, revocation of medals and prizes, deductions in point standing and fines in an amount of up to Two Thousand ($2,000.00) Dollars. Non-payment of fines assessed will be cause for assessment of further penalties.

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11.0 ROWAN'S LAW

11.1 RowONTARIO's Concussion Management Policy

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12.0 ROWING CANADA'S SAFE-SPORT POLICY

12.1 Rowing Canada Safe-Sport Policy

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13.0 POLICY ON DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT

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14.0 COVID-19 HEALTH POLICY

14.1  Covid-19 vaccination is no longer a requirment to participate in the 2022 Royal Canadain Henley Regatta.  All registrants are required to be fully vaccinated to participate in the 2022 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. Vaccination Policy will be reviewed monthly and updated accordingly.

14.2 Effective July 18 2022 masking will be required in ALL indoor locations at the venue for the duration of the Royal Canadain Henley Regatta.

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