Host a Tour

Sanctioning for Ontario Rowing Events

Sanction is required for all rowing events, including Rowing Tours.

RCA delegates the sanctioning of all rowing events to the Provincial Rowing Associations (PRA). Events designated as National Regattas are sanctioned by both the PRA and RCA in a two-step process. Row Ontario is responsible for sanctioning all rowing events in Ontario.

Events can be posted on RegattaCentral, prior to sanction being approved, to assist in promoting the event. However, all rowing events must be sanctioned before opening registration for entries. It is recommended that Event Sanction Applications be submitted at least six weeks prior to the event.

1.  Log in to Rowing Canada Aviron’s Web Registration System (WRS) and click “+Propose an Event” in your Account Dashboard to launch the Event Sanction Application. After completing the online form, click “Submit” to automatically notify the Sanctions Officer.
2. The Row Ontario Sanctions Officer will review your application. You will receive a notification to the email address associated with your WRS account when the Sanctions Officer either approves your Event Sanction Application or requests further information.
3. Once your Event Sanction Application has been approved by the Sanctions Officer, the Tour will be added to the Row Ontario Events Calendar.

Sanctioning Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for you to review a sanction application?

Between 2-5 business days.

Why does it take so long to review a sanction application? Don’t you just have to click “approve” and be done with it? 

Because sanctioning is so important, sanction applications go through a few steps on the way to approval. Before a sanction application is even sent to the Sanctions Officer, it is screened to ensure all fields have been answered. Then the application is sent to the Sanctions Officer, who completes a thorough review of the application and supporting documents. Once the review is completed, the Sanctions Officer will reach out to the Tour Organizer (or other individual who submitted the application) with feedback, before signing off on sanction approval and posting to WRS.

Is there any way to speed up the sanction process?

When the stars align, a sanction application may only take a few days. You can speed up the process in the following ways:

• Ensure your application is thorough. Every field on the application has a little ‘i’ beside it to clarify what is required in the question.
• Don’t forget to submit an Emergency Plan, First Aid Plan, Tour Plan, and relevant traffic pattern maps.

Most importantly, give yourself time. Every member on the Sanctions Committee is involved in a number of other rowing commitments (not to mention their personal and professional commitments). Applications are reviewed in the order in which they arrive and are attended to promptly, but thoroughly. Also note the above-mentioned timeline is in business days, which does not include weekends or holidays.

Is the Emergency Plan the same as my club’s EAP?

No. The emergency plan should be regatta-specific. Consider that you will have participants who don’t normally row at your club, and you will have specific people in charge of particular duties at a regatta. Consider the unique challenges of regatta day. For example, if there is an extreme weather event, how will crews be evacuated from the race course and properly accounted for? Are there safe landing sites on the course for crews who can’t get to the dock? Will particular safety boats have particular responsibilities in particular areas? All of these answers vary depending on the regatta.

Where can I see sample EAPs, First Aid Plans or Regatta Packages?

Templates are available in the COAST Resource Library. You can also contact sanctions@rowontario.ca for assistance.