Clarkstown Crew Club

Check weather predictions.

Do not row if there is:

A small craft advisoy; Thunder or lightning, Whitecaps; Waves slopping half way over the dock or more. The wind or rough water is too much for your skill level and the size of your boat.

Thunderstorms

Come in at the first sight of lightning or sound of thunder. If you are too far from the boathouse and the storm comes up quickly, take shelter by rowing to the nearest shoe line and have crew vacate the water immediately.

Always take care of people first, secure equipment only if it is safe to do so. If you are under the

Wind:

Generally the shore from which the wind is blowing will provide shelter so that you can row there. Be sure the wind is not so high that you cannot make it to the sheltered area. Familiarize yourself with the Windy Day traffic pattern .

 bridge and can not get to the boathouse safely, stay there.

Wait at least a half hour after that last thunder or lightning before you go back on the water.

Cold

In cold weather: wear a hat, a water-win-proof outer layer, and insulating layers under it. The inner layers should wick moisture away from your body and remain warm even when wet. Coxes dress warmly.

Heat

In hot weather, help prevent heat cramps, exhaustion, or stroke--carry at least a quart (liter) of water and drink often even if you are not thirsty.

Wear light clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen.

Dark

Be seen, be heard, do not hit anything.

When you row in the dark, ALL boats MUST have working lights: Bow lights are red-for-port, green-for-starboard, and the stern light is white.

Be certain you are completely familiar with the traffic patterns (Port passing Port) and locations of the channel markers in daylight so you can give the markers a wide berth and adhere strictly to the traffic pattern in the dark.

Proceed with particular caution when there is trash in the water after a rain.

Be extra alert to other shells and watch for all oncoming traffic, particularly near the dock where traffic is dense.

Fog

When fog rolls in, come back to the boat house. Make noise to alert others of your presence.

If fog becomes too dense before you can make it back, plan to follow the shore slowly back to the boathouse. Sit still, listen, row for a bit, sit still, listen again for other boats. If you are disoriented, sit still. Continue making noise.

Bright Sunlight

Wear a hat with a brim to shade your eyes, wear sunglasses.

If sudden severe weather should strike, all persons are to vacate the water immediately. This should be a crew-governing action; however, the coach(es) present are required to signal all crews to the severe weather situation and use the logbook to account for all crews before departing. Crews still upstream of the dock and still potentially unaware of the bad weather should be signaled by sounding an air horn 3 times and repeating twice - do not venture back out onto the water in dangerous weather. In the event that no coaches/sculling coaches are present, this responsibility falls to the Board members present. These individuals are to remain at the boathouse/dock until all persons have returned.

Watch where you are going. Do not hit any boats, channel markers, buoys, or dangerous trash. The bow person in an uncoxed boat can take a good long look pick the route, set bearings, then look behind quickly every five strokes. Coxes be alert.

Other boats

Stay out of the way of motor boats, and carry a noisemaker so you can make a LOT of noise if you can not avoid one. Yelling is always available, but is not as loud as a whistle.

Wakes

Row through small wakes. In a big wake, turn parallel to the wake. Keep your oars on the water for stability. Lean away from the wake as it approaches.

Dangerous Trash

After a rain, proceed with caution. Report any collisions to boathouse officials. Also report any stationary debris.

Swamped and Flipped boats

If your boat swamps, or you fall in, climb back into a single or double, bail out the water and row. Return to the dock if you are at all cold.

If you end up in the water, follow these steps:

1. Stay calm;

2. Stay with the shell;

3. Stay in the shell if the shell is upright and lean back into the next persons lap;

4. Account for all rowers and cox;

5. Pair up and keep communicating with each other;

6. Attract attention of launches, crews, or people on shore;

7. If the shell shows signs of sinking, get out and roll it over for better buoyancy.

8. If it is cold, climb onto the hull to get out of the water.

9. Wait for help.

10. Never attempt to swim a shore and stay with the shell at all times.

Logbooks

Crews must sign out/in using the logbook when launching/returning.

Traffic Pattern

Following the traffic pattern is required at all times - right-hand traffic pattern where craft traveling in opposite directions must pass port to port.

It is the moral obligation of any person/crew to immediately attend to a rower or coach who has been ejected from their craft into the water.

Crews/individuals should inform the equipment manager of boat damage or problems as soon as it occurs.

Single scullers are strongly encouraged to carry a cell phone or whistle with them during workouts.

A coaching launch is required as any emergency situation may require the distribution of life-jackets, first-aid, or immediate return of a person the dock.

Environmental Considerations

Unaccompanied use of two-oared club equipment is restricted until water and air temperatures do not pose risk of injury/illness during the spring.