Rowing rules

Rowing rules

1. Precedence

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

2. 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.

3. Applicability

These rules are applicable to all rowing members.

4. 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.

5. Specific Boat and Equipment Restrictions

  • Restricted Boats. The two Filippi boats, coxless quad/four (Simon Adlam) and single scull (Laurie Evans), being performance boats are classed as Restricted boats and are only to be used by high-level racing crews. These boats are only to be used with the captain’s/vice-captain’s permission.
  • Gold Boats. Boats given the Gold classification are reserved for crews who regularly train and race together, and who are of a sufficient standard that use of the boat will provide a significant advantage in racing.  These boats are only to be used with the captain’s/vice-captain’s permission; junior coaches may, however, allocate these boats in junior training sessions.
  • Oars. The sweep oar blades labelled with: single blue, single yellow, or single brown tape are only to be used by members training with the men’s squad.
  • Junior Priority. Juniors are to be given priority in the use of the double sculls: Blue Acre and Blue Stripe.

6. Crew Competency and Use of Boats Outside Normal Training Sessions

Only crews deemed competent may use boats outside routine training sessions.  Individual competency will be determined by the captain and vice-captains, taking advice from coaches; the captain will maintain a competency list.  Competency will be classified: sweep oar; sculling – multi-seat; sculling – 1X; and sculling – training boats.  A competent member is deemed to be sufficiently experienced to take non-competent members out in a multi-seat boat; note, however, that the Club’s Training Safety Procedures must be adhered to, in particular that relating to the ability of the crew to cope with the river and weather conditions.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

Updated August 2012