At FALS Ops, we are the face of the regatta for hundreds of competitors embarking on and finishing up their premier race of the rowing season. Each position in the team has a set of specific responsibilities. To give you an overview of the FALS Ops experience, complete with glorious New England fall weather, check out our video introduction!

FALS Ops consists of Greeters, Launchmasters, Oar Carriers, and Dockmasters. Here they are in the clips below, in all their glory.

Greeter
• Welcomes crews to the Regatta at the entryway of the dock chute
• Reminds spectators that only competitors and coaches are allowed into the chute
• Reminds crews to be prepared for inspection before entry into chute
• Maintains order at chute entry in crowded situations – projects control into parking lot
• Diverts excessive boat traffic to less crowded docks
• Uses tickets with coxswains to prioritize competitor boats in chute
• Sends boats failing inspection over to the fence
• Points out hazards in the chute to coxswains and/or coaches

Launchmaster
• Maintains order in the launch queue
• Checks boats to ensure that all safety requirements are met (bow balls, heel ties, etc.)
• Checks boats for bow numbers on bow, stern deck and bow-seat (cox where relevant)
• Communicates with Dockmaster to get permission for crews to advance to the dock
• Works with Greeter to ensure that crews are ready to be inspected
• Directs boats leaving the docks down the right path or side of chute
• Is mindful of athletes holding boats at shoulders (allows down to waist if long wait)

Dockmaster
• Maintains law and order on the dock
• Controls who may and may not be on the dock
• Launches and lands boats in a fair, orderly and timely fashion
• Communicates with Launchmaster and Co-chairs over radio
• Responds to emergencies by contacting Co-Chairs and Emergency Services
• Lives by these lessons:
–Fridays are the most active days as rowers show at any time to launch.
–Boats will queue to launch and land. In cold weather, land boats first.
–Remember to hydrate and remind the other volunteers to do so as well.
–During busy times advise crews “30 seconds on the dock.”
–If things get confusing, slow the launching rate down.
–Communicate with river control on stopping or delaying launches.
–Pay attention to the river traffic and river control over the walky-talkies.

Oar Carrier
• Directs competitors to oar racks to drop off oars.
• Carries oars to and from the dock for launching and landing crews.
• Assists Dock Master in pulling in boats that are attempting to land.
• Reminds competitors to keep the dock and chute free of clutter (shoes, backpacks, oars, etc.).
• Watches for unsafe behavior (e.g. unsafe piling of oars on the dock).
• Carries no more than 4 oars per person or a rack of 8 with another carrier.

Videos created by Samara Vise / samaravise.com