Aligner, Sprint Race on the Mohawk River
Job Overview
The Aligner directs crews into alignment for the start of each race. Since the Mohawk River is
equipped with neither a fixed starting platform nor stake boats, alignment is achieved through a
floating start. Floating starts can be very challenging; the Aligner must be confident and decisive.
Novices should plan to work with an experienced Aligner or make arrangements with a coach and that
coach’s team to perform alignment drills during the team’s practice time.
The Aligner is positioned on the North shore at the start line, which is marked by a white-
painted 2x4 hanging at one side of the river just upstream of General Electric’s Global Research
Center. The lane closest to the Aligner is lane #1 and the lane furthest from the Aligner is lane #6.
The Referee and/or Start Marshal directs crews into their assigned lanes prior to sending them to the
start line. For accuracy of start, the Aligner should look directly across the river when lining up shells.
Alignment should be completed as quickly as possible. Try for less than one minute.
It is not necessary for the shells to be exactly on the start line.
The most critical aspect of alignment is that all shells in a heat be aligned with each other.
Radio Communications
The Aligner may not have a radio.
Job Supplies Personal Supplies
-electronic megaphone (or hailer)* -water/snacks
-heat sheet* -sunglasses
-flag* -sun block
-list of oar blade patterns -chair
-water-proof shoes (see Tips)
*should be provided by race organizer -cell phone (see Tips)
Tips
- USRowing has information about floating starts on their website:
http://www.usrowing.org/Referees/RefereeTips/floatalign.aspx
-This job is best learned through apprenticeship with an experienced Aligner.
- The Aligner is brought to the start line by launch; allow at least half hour transport time.
-When exiting the launch at the start line the Aligner may need to step/stand in the water;
water-proof shoes are recommended.
-Over-Dress for the weather!—it is always colder and windier at/on the river.
-A cell phone is recommended for possible emergency communications, especially if the Aligner
is not provided with a radio.
-Remember--There are no restroom facilities on the river!
Job Description, Aligner, Sprint Race
Page 1 of 2 FNR, 2010
Aligner, Sprint Race on Mohawk River
Job Description
All communication with crews is projected through the megaphone (or hailer).
The lane closest to the Aligner is lane #1 and the lane furthest from the Aligner is lane #6.
-At the start of each heat announce:
“Coxswains, bring your boats to start. Rowers, take your commands directly from me.”
(Addressing commands directly to the rowers, rather than the coxswain, makes for a faster alignment.)
-Begin giving instructions to crews before they reach the start line.
-Each direction should state the crew name and lane followed by a command:
Commands
“______, one (or more) stroke(s)” rowers take one (or more) stroke(s)
“______, more (or less) pressure” rowers use more (or less) pressure
“______, arms only” rowers take a light stroke
“______, let it run” rowers allow shell to glide
“______, hold water” rowers stop the shell
-Once the shells are in alignment relative to each other* announce:
“All crews, hold water” as you raise the flag.
-Then announce, “We are in alignment.”
-The Aligner does not start the race. The Referee in the Chase Boat initiates the race: “Attention, GO!”
-At the start, pull the flag down.
*Rough Weather Starts
During rough weather conditions it is acceptable to get a “rough” alignment. The shells should be
approximately even with each other. The worse the conditions are, the more approximate the alignment
will be. The worse conditions are, the faster “rough” alignment should be achieved.
Good Conditions: As above--alignment, flag up. Pause. Referee says, “Attention, GO!”
Poor Conditions: Crews are warned: “This will be a quick start!”
Alignment, flag up. NO Pause. Referee says, “Attention, GO!”
Worst Conditions: Crews are warned: “This will be a countdown start!”
As the aligner works towards alignment, the Referee will count down. When the
Referee reaches “one” s/he will immediately say, “Attention, GO!” without waiting for
full alignment to be achieved.
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Alignment commands example
-“Coxswains, bring your boats to start. Rowers, take your commands directly from me.”
-“ isky, lane 4, one stroke.”
-“Burnt Hills, lane 2, one stroke.”
-“Shen, lane 5, less pressure.”
-“SGS, lane 3, hold water.”
-“ isky, lane 4, arms only.”
-“Burnt Hills, lane 2, hold water.”
-“All crews, hold water.” (raise flag)
-“We are in alignment!”
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Job Description, Aligner
FNR, 2010