RACING RULES AND REGULATIONS
As used by N.Z.I.R.A. and M.A.N.Z.I.R.
to format all New Zealand Records
and World Shortcourse Records

(A) INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

AGE AND WEIGHT CATEGORIES: Records will be kept in the following age and weight categories for both male and female participants with due regard to all other headings and sub headings, rules and regulations contained within this document. Age is to mean the contestants actual age on the day of the competition.
    Age and Gender:
  1. 13-14 years inclusive; 15-16 years inclusive; 17-18 years inclusive; 19-26 years inclusive; 27-35 years inclusive; 36-42 years inclusive; 43-49 years inclusive; 50-54 years inclusive; 55-59 years inclusive; 60-64 years inclusive; 65-69 years inclusive; 70-74 years inclusive; 75-79 years inclusive; 80-84 years inclusive; 85-89 years inclusive; 90-94 years inclusive; 95-99 years inclusive; 100 years plus.
     
  2. Records will be kept in both male and female categories in the above age categories.
    3. Light weight and Open weight:
  3. Records will be kept in both light weight and open weight categories in the above age categories. Open weight will mean, for females, over 61.5 kilograms; for males, over 75 kilograms. Light weight will mean, for females, 61.5 kilograms or lighter; for males, 75 kilograms or lighter.
     
  4. All light weights wishing to row as light weights on a competition day, must weigh in on that day, at the venue, at any time prior to their first race, under the supervision of a contest official and have their weights recorded for future reference.
     
  5. No light weight in one competition may race in both light weight and open weight events. That light weight must choose which category he/she wishes to race in on that day for the duration of that day. (See rule [(B) vi.] for the only exception). Light weights racing as open weights will be eligible for open weight prizes on the day and for New Zealand open weight records if any should be broken by that light weight on that day. They will not be eligible for light weight prizes on that day or to hold a new light weight New Zealand record even if an existing light weight record should be bettered by that light weight whilst racing as an open weight.
     
  6. Open weights may not race as light weights.
     
  7. Open weights and light weights may compete at the same time in the same heats or races but in their own individual categories in regards to prizes, medals, awards or records.
PLEASE NOTE THAT PARAGRAPHS (A) (i) – (vii) APPLY TO INDIVIDUAL EVENTS ONLY.

(B) GROUP EVENTS

(Pairs, Doubles, Fours and Relays or any other such team grouping as may from time to time be determined)

AGE AND WEIGHT CATEGORIES: Records will be kept in the following age and weight categories for both male and female participants with due regard to all other headings and sub headings, rules and regulations contained within this document.

    Age and gender:
  1. 13-14 years inclusive; 15-16 years inclusive, 17-18 years inclusive; 19-26 years inclusive, 27-42 years inclusive; 43-54 years inclusive; 55-64 years inclusive; 65 plus inclusive.
     
  2. Records will be kept in male, female and mixed gender categories, mixed gender meaning an equal number of male and female team members. ie. mixed pairs = one male, one female.
     
  3. Juniors (13-14, 15-16, 17-18) may combine with other junior age groups to form a team providing that the team races in the age group of the teams oldest member. Juniors racing with a team member aged 19-26 or with any older team member than that must race in the 19-26 age group regardless of the age of the teams oldest member. i.e. a 17 year old teamed with a 50 year old must race in the 19–26 age group.
     
  4. Masters (27 +) combining in a team containing 19-26 age group members must race in the 19-26 age group. Masters combining in a team with members from other masters age groups must race in the age group of the teams youngest member. Masters combining with Juniors must race in accordance with rule (B) iii.
    5. Light weight and Open weight:
  5. Records will be kept in both Light weight and Open weight categories. [See (A) iii.].
     
  6. Light weights may on a particular day race individual events as light weight but group events as open weight if they so choose. They may race in the one day in both light weight and open weight teams. (Not permitted in individual events [See (A) v.]).
     
  7. All light weight teams must weigh in individually on a competition day in order to participate as a light weight team.

    A light weight mixed team must individually weigh in as light weight in their respective male and female weight categories in order to participate as a light weight team.

(C) RACING RULES AND REGULATIONS

  1. Damper may be set at any desired level but cannot be changed once the race has commenced. In relay events the damper may not be changed between or for the different team members. One damper setting only may be chosen and adhered to throughout the race.

    Individual team members racing on separate machines (as in pairs ) may choose their own individual damper setting for their own individual machine.
     
  2. In any one heat, event or race each individual competitor or team is allowed one false start. A second false start by that same individual or team will result in that individual or team’s immediate disqualification from that heat, event or race. Such disqualification will not preclude that individual or team from participating in other events on the same day.
     
  3. No external aids or devices may be used to assist the rower during racing. (i.e. No belts, ropes or mechanical restraints may be placed around the thighs in order to help rower retain seating).
     
  4. Each member of a relay team must row an equi- distant amount of metres (i.e. 4x 500 metres).
     
  5. In both individual and teams races it is permitted for assistants to stand on either the front or the back foot of the machine in order to prevent the machine moving during the race. However this will usually only be necessary on a wooden or linoleum floor or during the 100 metre sprint. The assistants may not alter the damper settings or the monitor or touch the competitor after the race commences without the competitor being disqualified.
     
  6. Relay team members may race in the order of their choosing. This applies to all relay teams including mixed relay teams.

(D) GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS

Individual: A single competitor racing a competition distance against other competitors or a pre-recorded time, standard or existing record.

Pairs: Two competitors on the same team racing side by side on separate machines over the same distance, being recognised by the computer for purposes of racing as a single unit.

Relays: Any number of competitors rowing in succession on the same machine in equi distances for the duration of the race and forming a single team. (i.e. 4x 500 = four team members rowing 500 metres each in a 2000 metre relay race). The number of competitors must be in accordance with the individual race rules of the day.

Sliders: (Doubles, fours.) More than one rower in tandem rowing in unison on separate linked machines.
Note: The N.Z.I.R.A. no longer keeps or maintains records for slider events.

(E) RECORDS AND RANKINGS

New Zealand Records will only be recognised in accordance with sections (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) of this document and over the following distances:

    Individual: (Static machine) 2000 metres, 1000 metres, 500 metres, 300 metres, 100 metres.

    Pairs: (Static machines) 500 metres.

    Relays: (Static machine) 2000 metres (4 x 500).

World Shortcourse Records will only be recognised in accordance with sections: (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) of this document and over the following distances:

    Individual: (Static machine) 1000 metres, 500 metres, 300 metres, 100 metres.

    Pairs: (Static machines) 500 metres.

    Relays: (Static machine) 2000 metres (4 x 500).

New Zealand Records will only be recognised if set at a N.Z.I.R.A. or a M.A.N.Z.I.R. recognised, pre-advertised competition using computer (e-row, venue race or approved equivalent) monitoring and complying with the rules contained herein. New Zealand Records will only be recognised if they are set in New Zealand by a New Zealand citizen holding a New Zealand passport: or by a permanent resident of New Zealand who has been a continuous legal resident in New Zealand for a period of not less than 24 consecutive calendar months.

New Zealand Records will only be recognised if a computer generated results sheet (complete meet results) is forwarded for analysis within two weeks of the event to N.Z.I.R.A. Inc, P.O.Box 219, Kerikeri 0245 or to MANZIR@xtra.co.nz. This must include the names and contact details of two contest officials. An e-row, venue race or approved race system race print out for any record claimed would be advantageous.

World Shortcourse Records will only be recognised if set at a N.Z.I.R.A. / M.A.N.Z.I.R. or Concept 2 recognised, pre-advertised competition using e-row, venue race or approved equivalent computer monitoring and complying with the rules contained herein. World Shortcourse Records will only be recognised if a computer generated results sheet (complete Meet results) and e-row, venue race or approved equivalent print out of the actual race in which the record is claimed is forwarded for analysis to The Secretary N.Z.I.R.A. Inc, P.O.Box 219, Kerikeri, 0245, New Zealand; or to MANZIR@xtra.co.nz. All such record claims must include the name and contact details of the meet organiser and one other race official.

From and including the year 2008, the results of all competitions organised by the N.Z.I.R.A. will automatically be formulated and forwarded to Concept 2 for inclusion in the Concept 2 World Rankings. Note: Concept 2 does not keep rankings for all distances raced in N.Z.I.R.A. and World Shortcourse events.

The N.Z.I.R.A. will in the near future be compiling New Zealand Records for the Marathon, Half Marathon, 100,000 metre, 10,000 metre, 5000 metre and 60 minute indoor rows and adding them to all subsequent updating of the New Zealand records.

The decision of the Executive Committee of the N.Z.I.R.A. in regard to any dispute, interpretation, ruling, question or judgement over any matter whatsoever relating to, in connection with or arising from the effect and interpretation of these rules and regulations shall be binding and final, whether in relation to general New Zealand Indoor Rowing events and Records or in relation to existing or claimed World Shortcourse Records.