Big Shoulders Rowing Club

Safety principles for Big Shoulders Rowing Club:

1. "Best practices"
   
   Members should follow "best practices" (i.e. using bow and stern lights when rowing before sunrise and after sunset, staying on the right-hand side of the river, launching crews giving the right of way to landing crews, etc.).
   
   Specific questions regarding whether or not a particular behavior constitutes "best practice" should be directed to me.
   
   
2. Cold & inclement weather
   
   Members should be aware of the weather forecast before launching.
   
   The official Big Shoulders Rowing Club weather report can be found here. Sunrise and sunset tables here.
   
   According to USRowing there is a very dangerous potential for hypothermia when the water temperatures below 50 degrees (F). Similarly, Rowing Canada recommends special safety precautions when the water temperature is below 50 degrees (F).
   
   Three Rivers Rowing Association (2002 USRowing Club of the Year) developed a comprehensive and practical matrix encompassing water temperature, water flow, visibility, and skill level.
   
   Based on the recommendation of these three sources and historical local surface water temperature data,
   
   
   • There will be no rowing when the water temperature is less than 40 degrees (F)
   • When the water temperature is between 40 and 50 degrees (F), crews need to be accompanied by a safety launch
   
   Practically speaking, these thresholds mean that, in general, there is no rowing during January; December, February and March tend to be rowable with an accompanying launch; November and April are often rowable without a launch; and the rest of the year is unrestricted.
   
   
3. Rowing without an accompanying safety launch
   
   Members are strongly encouraged to use the "buddy system" when rowing without an accompanying safety launch. Please note that rowing a 2x/- does not qualify as "buddy system" except after the rowers are immersed in the water.
   
   Members rowing without an accompanying launch must wear a personal flotation device.
   
   
   • Inflatable belt-style pfd's such as the ones shown at right are probably most appropriate for our purposes (you choose "manual" or "automatic")
   • Read more about inflatable lifejackets here and here
   • Available locally in places like West Marine and throughout the world wide web for about $45-$80
     
     
   • Rowing alone without a pfd will result in immediate expulsion from Big Shoulders Rowing Club. "One strike, and you're out." No kidding.