Spoting
- Use the binoculars (as necessary) to spot each boat as it approaches the station
- Verbally tell the Station Recorder what bow number is approaching and describe the crew using:
- Color/Brand of the boat (i.e. black Resolute, yellow Empacher, etc.)
- Color of the uniforms (i.e. blue and green with a star on the back)
- Color of the blades (i.e. blue and green)
- Sometime colors are washed out so location on the water will also work (i.e. near, middle, far)
- If a boat approaches and it is missing it’s bow card then look for the bow number on the back of the first rower (person rowing in the bow of the boat) and when you mention the bow number also state the bow card is missing
- Be as exact as possible if boats are bunched up when they are crossing the timing line. The Station Evaluator will look to you for clarification if they can’t see bow numbers, this can happen often depending on the weather.
- Your job will be particularly important if the water glare during a race is bad and washes out bow numbers (and colors) completely in the picture
- It’s often best to look for the boat number on the rower first as they approach your area of the river. It’s far easier to spot at a distance since it’s larger. You also won’t have to refocus your binoculars quickly if you find that the bow card is missing when they reach you.
- Look ahead, often times you won’t have time to identify the number as well as picking out boat descriptions in the order that they pass, especially when they come through as a group. This happens as boats are overtaking or being overtaken.
- Get descriptions, then put order of crossing as they reach you. The numbers won’t all be in a pretty order, but the information will be accurate which is most important.
- The Spotter needs to tell the Evaluator if boats from the next race are approaching the station, even if all the boats from the current race have not yet crossed.