Rowing rules

Precedence

These rules are subordinate to the Club’s Constitution and Safety Procedures.

Access to the policy, amendment and review

These rules will be available in the clubroom and in the boathouse.  They will be issued by the Rowing Committee and subject to review at the Annual Rowing Members’ Meeting.

Applicability

These rules are applicable to all rowing members.

General Boat and Equipment Allocation Guidelines

  • Boat use is determined by weight range and ability.  An exception to this is where grant funding has been obtained to procure certain boats for a particular age-range of members.
  • Where crews wish to row in an established training period used by other groups, they must ensure that they liaise with the relevant coach/co‑ordinator/captain to ensure the boat(s) they wish to use are available.
  • If necessary to avoid changing settings etc, coaches can ask that the Club does not use boats that are required for high‑level competition, a maximum of 2 weeks prior to the event.  The captain will consider any such request.

Specific Boat and Equipment Restrictions

  • Restricted Boats. Boats Mick Staddon (coxless four/quad), Ali & Mike Brown (coxless four/quad), and Robin & Eileen Davies (double/pair) are classed as Restricted Boats and are only to be used by racing crews with the captain’s/vice-captain’s permission.
  • Junior Restricted. Boat Fergie Brazier (coxless four/quad) and four sculling blades were bought under Rowing Foundation Money and therefore are for junior use only, they are marked with stickers to show this.
  • Junior Priority. Juniors are to be given priority in the use of all suitable boats during junior sessions.

Competency and outings

Adult scullers are categorised as one of Novice, Intermediate-Competent, and Advanced-Competent. The list of competencies for these categories are to be displayed alongside this document. The following rules apply to outings:

  • An adult on the Advanced-Competent list may row alone on the river.
  • An adult on the Intermediate-Competent sculler list may row when:
    • accompanied by at least one advanced competent sculler and/or a
    • coach on the launch.
  • An adult who is deemed to be a Novice sculler list may row when:
    • accompanied by a coach on the launch. An additional advanced competent sculler may also be required at the discretion of the coach.

Sweep crews will be classed as either competent to row alone or not, at the discretion of the captain/vice-captains.

A junior may row when accompanied by a coach on the launch and one other responsible adult. An additional advanced competent sculler may also be required at the discretion of the coach.

Booking Boats and Equipment

All boats and equipment must be booked on iCrew before use. Those who have booked equipment on iCrew have priority over that equipment over that equipment for the duration of the booking. An iCrew booking must be cancelled if it’s not to be used by the booker; equipment must not be reserved and then left unused.

Movement of Boats

To help avoid damage to boats, coordinators/coaches are responsible for the movements of boats.  Ultimately if crews cannot lift the boats safely, then they should not attempt to move them until sufficient people are available to help.  If there are not enough people to help then crews will have to consider alternative training options.

Rowing at Night and in Low Visibility Conditions

  • At night and in low visibility rowing in coxless boats is prohibited.
  • In such conditions coxed boats are to be equipped with a white light at both front and rear.

Private Members Boats

Certain private members’ boats are available for members use – these are identified on the Club’s boat list.  Other private members’ boats may only be used if an individual has the permission of the owner; this also applies to the use of private members’ oars.

Re-Rigging of Boats Following Return from Events

Boats that have returned de-rigged from an event should be re-rigged as soon as possible, so that they are available for other members’ use.  It is unacceptable for a crew to undertake a subsequent training session (be it on water or on land) without having first re-rigged boats in which they have competed.

Boat Maintenance

  • Any damage to boats must be reported to the club boatman as soon as possible.
  • All boats must be cleaned and dried after every outing.
  • Shoes must not be stored in the boat during outings, but clean sliders can be.