Boating for singles, mixed household crews from 29th March 2021

Following the updated guidance from the Government and British Rowing we are able to restart rowing from the club including mixed household crews, we retain the same strict hygiene protocols; to avoid another suspension we must remain alert to the risks of Covid-19.

There is no access to the club social rooms. Masks must be worn when accessing and using the toilets.

The logbook is no longer available all outings must be logged via the QR code, any smart phone with a camera can be enabled for QRs.

All boating and boat bay activity can now be monitored here on the LRC Boat Bay Status online. All steers and coxswains must log their outward and return journey.

A reminder that only club boats with the Blue Dot on them are permitted to be used. Any historical "permission" to use boats without the blue dot is to be considered revoked. Any requests to use any non Blue Dot boats must be agreed in advance by the Captain or Head Coach (mark.lucani@londonrc.org.uk) and Chief.Coach@londonrc.org.uk)

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Club access for toilets in the changing room: This is now permitted, notices are posted in the changing rooms on the processes for cleaning. Juniors will have received separate instructions from the office. Remember to log a separate record via the QR that you have used the facilities. Follow the hygiene protocol posted in the changing room.  Windows must remain open.

Changing Rooms: Changing and showering is not permitted, windows must remain open. In an emergency you may change in the toilet cubicles.  There is no sitting and masks must be worn while waiting to use the toilet.

These measures have been implemented for: your own safety, safety of those using the facilities after you, for the safety of the club membership at large and also the wider population by reducing as much as possible any chance on infection while at the club.

Aside from the clear risk from COVID-19 please also note there remains little if any safety cover on the Tideway so the risks increase exponentially. We can only advise extreme caution and prudence is exercised before, during and after boating.

We will continue to listen to Government guidance regarding a return to wider rowing and training activities.

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Boating during the easing of lockdown

Boating Document

Steering accreditation: This is essential and you cannot boat unless you as a sculler or the steers in the hull has accreditation. You will need to have been allocated a “steers level” by a Club Water Safety Advisor, group lead or coach if you had wished to take out a club single, row in the bow seat of a larger hull as the steer or cox. You must reconfirm these levels through a self-certification process that will be audited.  If you have not received email communications directly from the CRSA on boating from the 29th of March then assume you are not accredited.

The form must be filed prior to boating no matter how experienced you deem yourself:

Before doing so please remind yourself of the steers policy and specifically to scullers boating alone located on this page https://www.londonrc.org.uk/water-safety-emergency-plan It is at the bottom in annex 2. The form is a self-certification of your level, be honest with your level as relevant to boating on your own and if you feel you need more knowledge having reviewed the levels we can look at helping you gain that knowledge.

In addition we also now have an online test of the Tideway Code and other aspects regarding boating from the club. This can be found via this link:  

This is an open file test, you may and should consult the Tideway Code when completing your answers, it can be found here:  

Rowing on the tidal Thames - Boating on the Thames

The pass mark is 45 out of 51.  You may attempt it as many times as you like. There is no exception to this rule, it is for everyone regardless of experience. One or two who have been on the river for years have told me it was helpful Continuous Personal Development and were a bit surprised at what they did not know. 

Public transport: As per government guidance we strongly advise against the use of public transport to or from the club.

Safety on the water: Please remind yourself through the links above of the club water safety plan and also the Tideway Code before boating.

Before boating consider if you are strong enough to climb back into the hull and then row home after a capsize or if you will need to swim the hull to the bank. If the latter do not boat unless you have gravel shoreline as a sanctuary, the river must be below the walls.

With Hammersmith Bridge still closed we can expect congestion on the river, if possible choose to boat away from the peak times of Saturday and Sunday mornings. We recommend scullers boat with another sculler taking care to maintain social distancing, this sculler can be an individual who is outside your household group. There is no need to paddle in very close proximity, please avoid any remote chance of passing on the virus, but do retain visual contact.  

Be aware of other club members on the water and leave the bay open if you know they boated from your bay, otherwise lock up to protect our assets.  

Mobile phone: There is existing guidance that you have a mobile phone with you in a water-tight pouch that remains attached to you or the hull in the event of capsize, during this period this is mandatory. A phone will also come in useful if you come across someone else in difficulty. Remember in an emergency you call 999 and request the Coastguard.

Daylight only: Given the reduced safety coverage no boating is permitted outside of daylight hours.

Buddy system: We strongly advise that before each outing each crew or sculler notifies a responsible member of their household or other person that they are going rowing, the anticipated route and the estimated time of return.

The Boating process has been put in place to ensure that shared surfaces, door handles, boat house key etc are kept free from contamination. This is to protect you and fellow club members from the virus.

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Captain and Club Rowing Safety Advisor