Innovation Applications
Innovations in equipment including, but not limited to, boats, oars, related equipment and clothing, must meet the following requirements before being used in International Regattas:
- Be commercially available to all rowers (patents may not exclude the use by a team or a rower);
- Not add to the cost or complexity of the sport without adding corresponding value;
- Not provide an advantage to some rowers over others or change the nature of the sport;
- Be safe and consistent with the principles of sustainable development; and
- Be a positive development for the sport of rowing and maintain the principles, in particular those of fairness and equality, of the sport.
An innovation must be submitted to the World Rowing Executive Committee for evaluation. If it is judged to meet the above conditions and is approved for use, it must be readily available for all rowers by 1 January in order to be authorised for use in International Regattas that year. Crews shall not be allowed to compete with unapproved innovations in events held under these Rules (Rule 29).
The Executive Committee has the sole authority to decide all matters under this Rule (Rule 29) including what constitutes an innovation, whether an innovation is significant, whether it is readily available, whether the costs are reasonable, whether it is safe and consistent with the principles of sustainable development and whether it is a positive development for the sport of rowing and maintains the principles of the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Q: What is the average review time for an innovation application? A: The average time to review an innovation application is X weeks.
2. Q: Is a new oar blade shape design considered an innovation? A: A new oar blade shape design is not considered an innovation.
Questions in regards to new equipment innovations should be addressed to:
Prateek Gumbar at prateek.gumbar@worldrowing.com