If necessary you may be assigned to another job. Please be patient if this happens.

No cell phones are permitted during your assignment.

Helper Set-up

Duties: You will help the Set-Up Driver to perform the duties assigned to him/her. You will be riding in a launch for much of your shift and you may have to do some heavy lifting.

Instructions: At the Regatta sign-in location, sign attendance sheet and insurance waiver. Then pick up a life vest. At the Anacostia and Georgetown regattas, report to the Course Master. At the Occoquan regatta, you will report to the launch dock for your specific assignment.

Dress: Anticipate inclement weather. Wear layered and waterproof clothing. Consider a hat, sunscreen and gloves. It will be early and the boat may be wet. A Personal Flotation Device (PFD) must be worn at all times while performing this job.

Helper Take Down

Duties: At the conclusion of the regatta, you will help store the regatta equipment, motors, launches, and lane markers, etc., and will do whatever is needed to secure the regatta site again to its original order. Some heavy lifting might be involved. You will be working in a launch part of the time.

Instructions: At the Regatta sign-in location, sign attendance sheet and insurance waiver and then pick up a life vest. At the Anacostia and Georgetown regattas, report to the Course Master. At the Occoquan regatta, you will report to the launch dock for assignment.

Dress: Anticipate inclement weather and the likelihood of getting wet. Wear layered and waterproof clothing. Consider hat, sunscreen and gloves. A Personal Flotation Device (PFD) must be worn at all times while performing this job.

Stakeboat Holder

Duties: At the starting platform you will help align the shells to be in proper position for the start. You will also need to help prevent damage to the shells when they back up to your lane. You will remain on the starting platform throughout your shift. Before the start of each race, you will lie down on the plank that extends out from the platform and reach out your arms to catch the stern of the shell coming into your lane. DO NOT try to stop the stern from hitting the platform by putting your hand between the shell and platform, there may be too much momentum and may cause injury. When instructed, you will pull back or push out the shell a number of inches for alignment. These instructions, given just before each start, will come from the official at the side of the racecourse whose job it is to get all the bow balls in a straight line. He/she will use a megaphone or radio headphones. Be careful with your grip and make sure nothing is in the way when the starter says, "Go" and the boat explodes out of your hands. MAKE SURE TO LET GO OF THE SHELL IMMEDIATELY UPON THE START. Do not engage in clever repartee with the crews. They are nervous enough already and needn’t be disturbed.

Instructions: Report to Regatta sign-in location and sign the attendance sheet and insurance waiver. Then ride to the finish line via a Shuttle Launch. Shift changes take place at the exchange dock near the finish line.

Dress: Anticipate inclement weather. You will be very close to the water for extended periods. Wear waterproof clothing, hat and sunscreen. Do not wear any red clothing while performing this job. This is because a red flag is used to stop a race.

Additional instructions for Stakeboat Holders: Headphones are usually worn only at the bigger regattas (e.g., VSCRs), fit over one ear and have a battery pack that clips on to your waistband (belt). If using the Realistic brand headset turn the POWER to "MAN" (not VOX), Volume and VOX/MIC controls are set to "L" (not "M" or "H"). If using the Maxon brand headset, set the VOX/PTT Selector to "PTT" (push-to-talk) and the VOLUME control to the lowest setting that allows you to hear clearly (to save battery power). There are two sets for each lane. Use the Realistic brand first - they have the 9V battery. The Maxon brand has two rechargeable AA batteries that usually don’t last long. The brands are interchangeable (i.e., on the same frequency). The spare headsets will be in the white box (post office sorting box) usually set at the center of the platform.