TEDDINGTON
WALBROOK RC
Safety at Walbrook
Walbrook Rowing Club is committed to keeping members safe on the water and when engaged in rowing or training activities by following British Rowing’s Rowsafe Code.
We endeavour to meet this commitment by having a clearly communicated policy that is understood by members, coaches, and leaders in the club.
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The club adheres to British Rowing safety policies and carries out the British Rowing safety audit annually.
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All members are required to act in a safe manner around the site and take into account any potential hazards on the landing stage.
There can be over 100 people using the landing stage on a Saturday morning and as a result it is everybody’s responsibility to avoid injury or damage to equipment.
Please be on the lookout for unsafe situations and raise them as identified.
No club members is therefore allowed to take out a coxless boat unsupervised until passing the Steers’ test.
Safe to boat
Boating conditions for Safe Rowing
Club members are assigned to either adult or junior categories and assessed as to their rowing experience. Please check your experience level with your coach, squad co-ordinator or the club notice board.
This will help guide you as to whether you can boat or not under certain conditions.
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A risk assessment is done based on experience, type of boat being used, presence of a safety launch and or coach as well as river and surrounding weather conditions.
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All members must read the Safe to Boat Handbook and we recommend to have a copy readily available to review prior to each outing, whether being coached or not.
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Those owning private boats are expected to follow the Club Policy at all times.
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Equipment
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Lifejackets
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No coxswain or launch driver or passenger will be allowed on the water without a lifejacket.
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Coaching Launch
Anyone using the launch must either hold an RYA Level 2 Launch Driver’s qualification or have demonstrated to the Club Captain, Safety Officer or a committee member that they are competent to drive.
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The Launch Safety Kit must be in the launch whenever it is in use.
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Land Training
No junior is allowed to use the weights gym unless supervised by a qualified coach.
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No junior is allowed to apply for use of a key fob for the island site.
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Juniors are only allowed to use ergos in the marquee area unsupervised.
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It is advised that adults using free weights should not do so alone.
Rowing in the dark
Rowing or sculling after sunset or before sunrise increases the risk of injury or damage to equipment and is limited to certain crews and boat classes as outlined in the Safe to Boat policy.
No single scullers may boat alone at night in any circumstances.
All crews boating during darkness or reduced visibility, should wear reflective /high vis tops and no dark clothing, with white solid light on the stern and bow NOT fastened to a rigger.
For consistency darkness is defined as before sunrise or after sunset.
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All craft must be properly illuminated.
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Swimming in the river
Juniors are not allowed to swim in the river or to play at diving/jumping from the jetty at any time.
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Parents should note that coaches are not qualified life guards and are asked to impress upon their children that this activity is forbidden.
Juniors should not be on the jetty at any time unattended.
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In order to set a good example to our Junior members, it is also requested that Adults adhere to the No Swimming policy.