Any traditional boat, or traditional-style replica, powered by a minimum of four oars, or paddles, may enter. Sliding seats and riggers are not allowed, but adequately-fixed sliding seats may be permitted at the discretion of the Race scrutineers. The freeboard of individual entries will be examined carefully by the Race scrutineers and the Safety Marshals, who may exclude any entry on safety grounds before, or during, the event. Random weight checks may be carried out at the Start.

Every boat must be covered by public liability insurance up to £2 million any one claim and for any loss, injury or damage to property or persons (including all persons aboard the craft) and it is strongly recommended that it carries sufficient buoyancy aids for all persons aboard. Any towing will be undertaken only at the boat owner’s risk.

Each boat must fly a flag (minimum of 3ft x 2ft) throughout the Race. This may be your national, club, livery, association or company flag (which can carry a commercial logo but not an advertising slogan) or one made especially for the race.

In addition to the rowers, or paddlers, each boat must, at all times, carry a cox (who need not steer but must not row/paddle while coxing) and a separate passenger. Crew may freely change positions during the race (read ‘Class’ descriptions carefully for exceptions), but outside substitution or assistance is not permitted. Any crew member going ashore during the race will render their crew liable to immediate disqualification and withdrawal from safety cover.

It is the responsibility of the passenger to clearly display the race number to Marshals at the Start and Finish of the race and to confirm this vocally if requested. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. This rule will be enforced.

The maximum number of paddlers allowed in a full-size Chinese dragonboat is 16. Baby dragonboats are restricted to ten. Dragon heads and tails and drums should be carried and the drummer may act as passenger.
The minimum age for any person aboard is ten years. Any person aboard who is under 16 years of age and all coxes/passengers are strongly advised to wear a buoyancy aid at all times. Under-14 and Under-16 crews must be registered by the obligatory adult (over 18) cox/passenger in charge of the boat (see ‘Classes’ for details of age-based classes).

Mixed crews must have at least 50% women rowing/paddling at all times. Uneven crews (i.e. in Montague whalers) must have a greater number of women rowers/paddlers.

Crews entering the class for rowers with disabilities should contact Stuart Wolff on 020 8398 9057 for specific eligibility criteria. In any crew where the ratio of able-bodied to disabled is less than one-to-one, it is strongly recommended that the entrant supply its own dedicated support craft. Disabled crew members are strongly advised to wear a buoyancy aid at all times.

A safety review has resulted in some rule amendments. Please read the Guidance Notes, Notice to Coxes (distributed on Raceday) and all other communications carefully, particularly those sections referring to flag signals, Marshals instructions and use of bridge arches. Every crew MUST present an accurately-completed Final Raceday Crew List to Registration in exchange for its Race number.

Advertising by commercial organisations on, or of, any entry (including crew clothing) is permitted only by arrangement with the organisers.