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Para and adaptive rowers are welcome at the regatta, and this site is well-suited to supported rowers, with onsite parking and towpath along the course.
We also welcome a wide range of rowers with experience ranging from juniors and novices to the higher-band masters categories.
Rowers and coxes with limited mobility (eg: para athletes or older masters rowers), or those with any disability requiring extra support, are asked to contact autumn@cambridge99.org to discuss how we can best support your accessibility needs.
A coach or supporter is welcome to follow racing boats on bike or on foot, especially where they are supporting novices, or rowers with accessibility needs.
These notes on accessibiilty should be read in conjunction with the safety information and notes for competitors. The 2024 documents are available here in Google Drive.
If there is anything we can do to improve the experience of the regatta for rowers, coxes and visitors with accessibility needs, please do let us know. We are keen to make this event as inclusive as possible, and to create an environment that is physically safe, emotionally safe and culturally safe.
Vision impaired or hearing impaired rowers
Vision impaired rowers can be supported by a remote pilot or navigator from the towpath side of the river, which is easily accessible from the regatta site via a new bridge.
Hearing impaired rowers should make themselves known at race control so that umpires can be reminded to use visual as well as auditory cues for the start of your race, and for marshalling.
Information about the draw will be published through the day on RowStats: https://www.rowstats.com/events.php?host=CNN
Race results will also be broadcast by tannoy across the regatta site. The volunteers at race control will also be happy to give you verbal updates about the draw at any point.
Landing stage
Boating for the regatta is from a temporary landing stage in the field.
The landing stage is made by volunteers from large sheets of thin wood, resting on top of a metal frame embedded in the floor of the river. It sits close to the bank but is not flush at every point - there are some gaps. A second landing stage is made shorter, with a ramp made from the same thin wooden material. It holds the weight of a tall, strong rower, but has not been tested with a wheelchair or with larger people. This is something we will seek to improve for future years!
Alternative options are available by prior arrangement, if the temporary landing stage is not accessible for you.
Any rower can request support with boating from marshals or from the umpire in the boating area. In particular, rowers and coxes who are neurodivergent or who struggle for any reason with a new boating environment should make themselves known to marshals, who can either explain the boating process or help you with boating.
Site access and course access
Car parking is available on site. Rowers with limited mobility or access needs should make themselves known to parking volunteers who will direct you to accessible parking.
The site is accessible by public transport, but all options will involve a 10-20 min walk to the site (at a 5km/h walking pace). The site is also accessible by bicycle, tricycle, cargo bike and mobility scooter.
The site is a well kept grassy field. It will have been recently mown. The ground is uneven - we do not have wheelchair accessible walkways, but with recent dry weather (Sept 2024) the ground is fairly firm.
The regatta course is accessible by towpath and walking track on both sides of the course for supporters, and for pilots or navigators for vision impaired rowers. The towpath is hard-packed gravel and dirt, which is dusty is hot, dry weather and can be muddy with large puddles in wet weather. The ground is not perfectly even but there are not currently any sharp potholes (Sept 2024).
Marquee and catering area
Tables and chairs will be provided. These are folding chairs - we do not currently have the exact dimensions or weight capacity. Competitors and visitors are very welcome to bring their own chairs, and many others will bring camp chairs, picnic blankets and other seating options.
Catering includes volunteer-made salads and cakes, as well as commercial food vans. All effort will be made to identify potential allergens, and vegan and gluten free options will be available. All efforts will be made to avoid cross contamination, but due to the environment we are working in, this cannot be guaranteed. Please ask the catering coordinator on site if you have any specific questions about the food on offer.
Competitors and visitors are very welcome to bring their own food, and there are several supermarkets a short drive or cycle (or a 15+ min walk) away from the regatta.
Sensory and neurodiversity
Rowers and coxes who are neurodivergent (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and more) will find quiet spaces throughout the regatta. Competing clubs and any visitors are welcome to bring their own gazebos or shelter tents to pitch along the river.
Those who are worried about boating in an unfamiliar environment a can ask at race control for a full explanation of processes for boating and racing in the regatta. We also would encourage you to watch others boat, and to ask marshals in the boating area if you have any questions about how to boat from the temporary landing stage.
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