With the influx of approximately 5,000 people in to the Oak Ridge area this weekend, organizers say safety is an important task.
The 2012 U.S. Rowing Youth National Championships is going on at Melton Lake and many of the teams come equipped with substantial entourages, making it one of the biggest rowing events for Oak Ridge.
"There's always a safety risk," explains Control Commission Chief Joe Carlson. He says for competitors safety starts with their boats.
Organizers inspect the boats heel ties before every race. The special shoes attached to the boat allow a rower to break free in the event their boat flips over.
At the tip of every boat a bow-ball is also affixed.
"It covers the pointy part of the boat so nobody essentially gets stabbed," says Carlson.
While teams are chasing the big win, referees are chasing them watching for violations but also the health and safety of the athletes.
So far Carlson says very few have required medical treatment, but Anderson County Paramedics are on hand.
Paramedic Shane Sexton says they treated six people Saturday, mostly for minor heat-related issues.
Oak Ridge Police also pitched in. They assigned one officer to help direct thousands of cars along the two lane road leading to the regatta.