Regina Rowing Club Safety Regulations

Safety regulations have been developed by the RRC in association with the Saskatchewan Rowing Association and Rowing Canada Aviron to foster a safe environment for our members. It is a condition of membership that they are followed. These regulations were designed by rowers, for rowers, to minimize the inherent risks of participating in a water sport. Risks of personal injury can come from collisions with other row boats or any other craft on the water as well as the risk of drowning if you fall in the water unexpectantly. The risks of injury increase as weather conditions worsen and/or water temperatures drop. All participants must sign a waiver prior to engaging in any Club activity.

Before you Launch Your Boat

• Crews, at all times, must sign out their boat in the log book located in the boathouse prior to launching and must sign in upon completion of their row.

• Personal flotation devices must be either in the rowing boat or in the on-water coach boat in numbers for the largest crew on water. If there is no coach boat on the water, all rowers must carry floatation devices in their shell.

Excerpts from Canada Shipping Act Small Vessel Regulations

Personal Life-Saving Appliances
Part 2 Safety Equipment for Pleasure Craft 
Sub-Part 5 Exceptions for Human Powered Pleasure Craft Rowing Shells

222. (1) A rowing shell that is competing in a provincially, nationally or internationally sanctioned regatta or competition, or engaged in training at the venue at which the regatta or competition is taking place, is not required to carry on board the safety equipment required by this Part.

(2) A rowing shell that is engaged in activities governed by safety guidelines and procedures established by the governing body is not required to carry on board the safety equipment required by this Part if it is attended by a safety craft that is carrying on board a personal flotation device or lifejacket of an appropriate size:

(a) for each person on board the rowing shell, if the safety craft is attending only one rowing shell; or 
(b) for each person on board the rowing shell with the most persons on board, if the safety craft is attending more than one rowing shell.

(3) However, if the rowing shell is not attended by a safety craft, it is required to carry on board only the following safety equipment:

(a) a personal flotation device or lifejacket of an appropriate size for each person on board; 
(b) a sound-signalling device; and 
(c) a watertight flashlight, if the canoe or kayak [rowing shell] is operated after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility

• No crew may row alone. Two boats must be on the water at all times – either two rowing shells or a shell and a coach boat. For those that own their own single, they may row at their own risk but is strongly recommended for their own safety, especially during cold water conditions, that they arrange to row when other boats (rowing or coach boats) are on the water. It is also recommended that they sign out their own single so that the club coaches and rowers are aware of who else is on the water.

• Junior members must have authorized adult supervision when they are using Club equipment.

• Coxswains and/or bow seats must carry a whistle while on the water.

• Members who have not successfully completed the Skills Assessment must be supervised by a coach while rowing.

Environmental Conditions

• Rowing is permitted during daylight hours only. These hours may extend to low light conditions based on the Head coach’s discretion and approval from the RRC board. Bow Lights must be used in low light conditions.

• Rowing is prohibited in unsafe weather conditions (high wind, fog, extreme temperatures, lightning etc.) as determined by the coach/staff person.

  Guidelines for weather conditions:

  • Do not row if the fog does not allow you to see Spruce Island

  • Do not row if there has not been 30 minutes without lightning

  • Do not row when winds are over 35 km/hr and gusting up to 50 km/h

• Cold water rules may be posted at the boathouse and placed in effect during early spring and late fall. Cold water rules are in effect when the water temperature is 15 degrees Celsius or below.

Cold Water Rules

• Coach boat must be on the water and operated by RRC safety person or coach. Must be within 750 meters of all rowing boats on the water and within a line of site at all times

• Coach/Safety boat must have all safety gear on board plus enough Towels/blankets for the largest crew

• Coach/Safety boat: rower ratio is 1 : 6

• If a rower capsizes, they should get as much of their body out of the water as possible by draping themselves over the upturned hull, if necessary turning the boat over for this purpose. Rowers should “buddy-up” holding on to each other until rescued. Do not try to swim to shore.

Dealing with Hypothermia

• If Hypothermia Suspected, call 911

• Symptoms Include

  • Confusion, memory loss, or slurred speech

  • Drop in body temperature below 95 Fahrenheit

  • Exhaustion or drowsiness

  • Loss of consciousness

  •  Numb hands or feet

  • Shallow breathing

  • Shivering

• While waiting for Ambulance

  • If Person is not breathing, start CPR immediately Get the person indoors.

  • Remove wet clothing and dry the person off, if needed.

  • Warm the person's trunk first, not hands and feet. Warming extremities first can cause shock.

  • Warm the person by wrapping him or her in blankets or putting dry clothing on the person.

  • Do not immerse the person in warm water. Rapid warming can cause heart arrhythmia.

  • If using hot water bottles or chemical hot packs, wrap them in cloth; don't apply them directly to the skin.

Tips for Cold Weather Rowing

• Dress accordingly, moisture wicking materials is ideal. Layers are always a good idea.

• Row in packs with a safe distance between boats

• Wear the brightest clothes possible to improve visibility.

• Bring a change of clothes to every practice just in case you happen to get wet.

Hot Weather

• Hot weather also needs to be considered as a potential health and injury risk but can be prevented by preparing accordingly:

• Wear protective clothing appropriate for the conditions of the activity

• Use of sun block with a high SPF factor

• Drink adequate water before, during and after the activity

• Address symptoms of heat stress immediately

Flow Pattern

• A map of the flow pattern is posted at the boathouse and available online.

• Rowing behind the islands is prohibited unless permission is obtained from both a RRC coach and a Canoe Club coach.

• Crews docking have priority over crews launching.

• Crews stopping at either end of the lake must be well clear of other boat traffic.

• Slower or stopped crews shall yield and give way to faster crews.

Safety/Coach Boats

• Anyone operating a motorized vessel on the water must have a Boat Operator’s License as required by Transport Canada.

• Safety/coach boats may be used only by RRC coaches. Other members may use these boats if permission is obtained from a coach or the Club Manager, or in an emergency situation.

• All crews and rowers (private owners as well that store their boats in the RRC Facilities) must ensure that a safety/coach boat is on the water (with a full gas tank and life jackets) before rowing.

• The driver and all passengers in safety/coach boat must wear a properly fastened personal flotation

  device.

• Coach boat operators shall minimize their swells when either passing or being passed by other crews.

Coach boats will carry the following safety equipment with them:

• One buoyant heaving line at least 15 m

• One manual propelling device

• One watertight flashlight

• One sound signaling device or appliance

• One bailer • One re boarding device

• A PFD for each person on board the rowing shell with the most persons on board

• First aid kit

Swim Test

• Rowers are to self-proclaim if they can swim or not

• Members who are unable to swim are required to take an approved flotation device in the boat with them whenever they row.

Members Owned Boats Stored in the Boathouse

• Boat storage of private boats is subject to availability. Boat storage is at the owner's risk, as Club insurance does not cover private boats. Annual boat storage fees cover the period from April 1st to March 31st. Fees will not be prorated if the boat is removed from or brought into the boathouse anytime during this period.

• See Membership Information for boat storage fees

• Members have priority over non-members. Non-members will not have 24/7 club access and will be asked to de-rig their boat. Non-members are not guaranteed actual rack space. Boats of non-members will only be stored for two consecutive years

Policies around the Rowing of Private Singles

• Owners of private singles who are experienced rowers (skills assessment may be waived by the club coach) may row on their own. They cannot be junior rowers; all junior rowers must row under the supervision of a coach. The RRC encourages all individuals to row with a buddy.

• When rowing alone rowers for their own safety are encouraged to:

  • Carry a personal flotation device and whistle in their boat at all times and follow the RRC’s club safety rules regarding:

  • Environmental Conditions – note that for cold water conditions, do not row alone or avoid rowing in these conditions entirely

  • Flow Pattern

  • Boat sign out (even if it is your own boat)

  • Not row alone when cold water rules apply

  • Be able to swim

  • Be 18 years of age or older

  • Not row in unsafe weather conditions (high wind, fog, extreme temperatures, etc.)

  • Row during daylight hours only

  • If you lend out your private single, then you must be aware that the RRC takes no responsibility for your equipment and that you may be liable:

    • If the rower suffers injury or death during the row

    • For any injury caused to others or damage to other boats while the rower was in your boat

    • For any property damage that results from your boat

    • For any damage of RRC property or member’s boat within the club that results from your boat

    • For any loss or theft of RRC equipment or member’s equipment if the boat house is left open and unattended

General Guides

• All members will participate in an annual review of safety policies.

• Properly stocked first aid kits must be placed in each coach/safety boat as well as in the boathouse. An AED is located in the Canada Games Room.

• Safety rules must be monitored by all members, especially by the coaches and Board members.

• Members not adhering to RRC rules will be reported to the RRC Board of Directors for disciplinary action which may include loss of Club privileges.

• All rowers associated with the RRC, or who row with RRC equipment or who store their boat in RRC Facilities must sign a waiver before going on the water.

Skills Assessment (mandatory)

• All rowers must have their skills assessed and approved by their coach in order to advance into another program within the club. New rowers with questionable experience or skills maybe asked to be evaluated under the RRC Skills Assessment criteria.

Other

• All members will participate in an annual review of safety policies.

• Properly stocked first aid kits must be placed in each coach/safety boat as well as in the boathouse. An AED is located in the Canada Games Room.

• Safety rules must be monitored by all members, especially by the coaches and Board members.

• Members not adhering to RRC rules will be reported to the RRC Board of Directors for disciplinary action which may include loss of Club privileges.

• All rowers must sign a waiver before going on the water.

Skills Assessment (mandatory)

All novice rowers have to succeed at the RRC Skills Assessment in order to advance into another program within the club. New rowers with questionable experience or skills maybe asked to be evaluated under the RRC Skills Assessment criteria.