The Directors of the Head Of The Charles Regatta are pleased to announce the addition of the TA 2x (Trunk and Arms) to the LTA 4+ (Legs/Trunk/Arms) to expand the adaptive rowing events at the 2011 HOCR.

The TA Mixed 2x and the LTA Mixed 4+ are scheduled for Sunday, October 23rd at 8AM and will be the first official events on Sunday. The events will be raced over the full 3 mile Head Of The Charles course. Please see below for additional details.

DEFINITION OF THE ADAPTIVE EVENT AT THE 2011 HOCR:

LTA 4+ Mixed Gender (Legs, Trunk, and Arms): Rowers with a verifiable and permanent disability who have functional use of their legs, trunk, and arms for rowing, and who can utilize the sliding seat to propel the boat will be assigned to the LTA class after being evaluated by a FISA Classification Panel. Eligible LTA rowers may typically have a minimum disability equivalent to one of the following:

• Amputee
• Neurological Impairment equivalent to incomplete lesion at S1
• Cerebral Palsy Class 8 (CPISRA)
• Visual Impairment: 10% of vision in best eye with correction (from visual acuity above 2/60 up to visual acuity of 6/60 and/or a visual field of no more than 5% and less than 20%)

TA 2x Mixed Gender (Trunk and Arms): Rowers with a verifiable and permanent disability who are unable to use the sliding seat to propel the boat due to significantly weakened function of the lower limbs. Eligible TA rowers would typically have a minimum disability equivalent to at least one of the following:

• Bilateral around knee amputation, or impaired quadriceps
• Neurological Impairment equivalent to a complete lesion at L3 level, or an incomplete lesion at L1
• Combination of the above, such as one leg with around knee amputation and one leg with quadriceps impairment
• Classification by the international sports federation for athletes with cerebral palsy (CP-ISRA) as eligible to be in CP Class 5

Age Restriction: Competitors must, at a minimum, be enrolled in high school. There is no age maximum and no age handicap.

CLASSIFICATION

The HOCR will follow current FISA classification guidelines. All athletes must be classified prior to Race Day. The classification form can be found here and may be completed by a licensed PT or MD.

TIME STANDARD

Interested participants must be able to complete a three mile course in 30 minutes or less. If you are uncertain of the competitive level of your crew, please contact adaptive@hocr.org.

SCHEDULE:

The LTA Mixed 4+ and the TA Mixed 2x will start at 8AM on Sunday, October 23rd as the first official races of the day. A starting gap between the two events will be posted on the race schedule. The full HOCR Race Schedule can be found HERE.

REGISTRATION

The 2011 LTA Mixed 4+ and TA Mixed 2x will be invitational events. The Adaptive Organizing Committee will identify and invite competitors. Interested programs should contact adaptive@hocr.org for review by the AOC. Please reference experience of the potential line-up (including any past results).

On-site Registration will be handled directly by the AOC. All competitors must sign a waiver. Competitors under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian sign the waiver.

EQUIPMENT

The hull of the adaptive rowing boat is identical to able-bodied boats. Adaptive rowing boats are equipped with special seats, which vary according to the disability of the rower. To date, there are no other specifications on the seat apart from the following: the LTA4+ has a sliding seat; the other three boat classes have fixed seats. (FISA World Rowing)

Boats used in LTA Mixed 4+ events shall be subject to the same restrictions as those for coxed fours (4+) under the FISA Rules of Racing. No additional restrictions shall apply.

The FISA Standard Adaptive TA Mixed 2x has a fixed seat and may have stabilizing pontoons. The hull, the pontoons where fitted, and the seat fixing are part of the standard specifications. The seat itself and the rigger design of the standard Adaptive TA Mixed 2x are not restricted.

TA Mixed 2x rowers are required to comply with the following strapping requirements: rowers shall be secured with a strap to prevent flexion and extension of the knee(s) during rowing. The strap must be secured under the seat or rails and over the thighs, as close to the knees as possible.

All competitors are expected to provide their own equipment.

EYEWEAR FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED ROWERS:

Per FISA rules, rowers classified as visually impaired must wear FISA or IBSA approved eyewear at all times when on the water during training, warm up, cool down, and competition from the opening day of the course until completion of the final race of their competition. Such eyewear shall completely block all light. All eyewear must be checked to ensure a secure fit and complete light occlusion by an IBSA doctor during classification or by a FISA International Classifier if an IBSA doctor is not present. (Samples of eyewear can be found on www.worldrowing.com)

GETTING AROUND

Athletes may launch and land at Northeastern University Boathouse. Boat racks will be provided for equipment storage and volunteers will be available for launch/landing assistance. Parking is available along Soldiers Field Road. However, competitors are urged to arrange for drop/off and pick/up at the NEU Boathouse where volunteers will be available to assist as necessary.

AWARDS

First Place Medals only will be awarded at the 3PM Sunday Awards Ceremony at the Rowing and Fitness Expo.

RULES OF RACING

All competitors are expected to adhere to the Official Head Of The Charles Rules of Racing. Please read more HERE.