All participants should be familiar with the following safety guidelines: The organisers have done their very best to provide a safe rowing environment but every competitor has a duty of care to themselves and all other competitors. Safety is a shared responsibility.

To play your part to the full, you must make sure that you (please read all):

• Have a safe boat and equipment, checked out before the race day, with a final check prior to launching the boat. Buoyancy and heel restraints are particularly important issues. If you have travelled to the event, make sure your boat is securely assembled.
• Wear appropriate clothing on a day that may be cold, windy or wet.
• Are part of a competent crew that is able to quickly and effectively respond to the commands of the cox and if required, the directions of an umpire and safety personnel.
• Have a cox who is genuinely competent for the event, taking account of the racing environment and water conditions in the harbour.
• Have a cox who is sufficiently familiar with the course and all the potential hazards along the way (read about shallow areas here), from the point of getting into the boat, right up until you get out of it.
• Have a cox who fully understands the marshalling system, your place in it and the restrictions in crossing the harbour during the event. The entire crew should be able to hear the commands given by your cox, ideally on a speaker system (cox box).
• Have a cox who understands the safest course to take during the race and stick to it .
• Know what to do in the event of an emergency so that vital seconds are not wasted if there is an incident involving your crew. Help is at hand but you may have to look after yourself or an injured crew member for a short while before it arrives.
• Do not behave aggressively towards other crews at any time, particularly during overtaking situations when your crew must comply with the rules of the event.
• Do not switch off after you finish and remain alert during the return from finish line as this can be a high-risk time if boats are still racing.

If you have any questions about safety please contact the organisers at info@copenhagenharbourrace.dk