Boating during Tier 4 Restrictions:

Following the updated guidance from the Government and British Rowing we must return to household crews. While government guidance permits exercising with one other person, the proximity of individuals within a rowing boat and this new virulent strain requires us to err on the side of caution. The gym and changing rooms return to being off limits. There will be no boating outside daylight hours. 

When attending the club, please assume you are a carrier and behave in a way to prevent your infecting others. 

Given the severity of the situation and the inherent risks involved the club takes the adherence to these stipulations most seriously. Contravention is likely to lead to individual sanction and possibly a halt of all boating activity should we as a group not boat in a responsible manner. Other clubs have been forced to shut down due to infections within their membership. 

The main areas of the club as well as the gym are completely off limits. Access is only permitted to the boat bays, workshop and the area surrounding the stairwell at the base of the disabled lift with access via the side door. 

The changing rooms return to being off limits, including for bag drops. These may be used in case of emergency only for example if hot showers are required to warm up after a capsize or a rain storm or caught short and needing access to the toilets. The gentlemen’s showers are out of order and any emergency use is restricted to the ladies’ showers. Please report any access to the changing rooms to the Club Rowing Safety Advisor safety@londonrc.org.uk If you use the toilets you must use the bleach sprays to clean the cubicle, the sink and other surfaces. Juniors should continue to use their allocated toilet in this situation. 

All club hulls must be booked via Club Hub.

We strongly advise against the use of public transport to or from the club.

Boating during Tier 4: 

Steering accreditation: You will need to have been allocated a “steers level” Everyone who is boating in a single or acting as a steers should now be accredited. If you had not previously done so you must fill out the form on this link FILL OUT FORM for further guidance email safety@londonrc.org.uk 

Use the club QR code to register your outing, it is posted at the side entrance, but you can also save it as an icon on your phone. The signing out book is a contamination risk, avoid resting your alcohol soaked hands on the sheets. The book will be removed from January 1st and all signing out will take place via the QR. You can save the form URL on your phone to avoid having to scan the QR.

There will be little traffic on the river, a few safety boats and barges for the Fulham Football, RNLI, but no coaching launches. The water is now cold and you should again read the risks from cold water immersion. We recommend that you boat with another sculler if in a single, this sculler can be an individual who is outside your household group, but social distancing must be maintained. There is no need to paddle in close proximity, but retain visual contact. 

As per club rules every steers or sculler must have a mobile phone while afloat, in a water-tight pouch that permits its use while in the pouch. It should remain attached to you or the hull in the event of capsize. 

Remember in an emergency you call 999 and request the Coastguard. 

Given the reduced safety coverage no boating is permitted outside of daylight hours 

We strongly advise that before each outing any lone crew or sculler notifies a responsible member of their household or other person that they are going rowing and the estimated time of return. Do not forget to log your return!

Boating Process 

1. Spray hands with alcohol spray provided next to the boathouse key 

2. Sign-out using the QR linked form 

3. Use key to unlock workshop and boat shed 

4. Fill a bucket with soap and hot water and thoroughly wash down the equipment (boat and blades) before use. 

5. Return the bucket to workshop, lock workshop and replace key 

6. Boat and rowing in accordance to tideway rules 

7. Return boat to trestles 

8. Retrieve key from club, open workshop and fill bucket with soap and hot water provided and thoroughly wash down the equipment. 

9. Replace boat 

10. Return bucket to workshop, lock workshop and return key. 

11. Spray hands with alcohol spray provided 

12. Sign-in using the QR linked form 

13. Leave the club

Captain and Club Rowing Safety Advisor