Argonaut Rowing Club Policy on Allocation of Small Boats to Members

Purpose:

The purpose of the policy is to describe a process to give all members of the Club the opportunity to row in small boats (club-owned doubles and singles) while ensuring both their safety and that of the equipment.

Rationale

The rowing course at the ARC (from Ontario Place to the Humber River) is difficult to navigate, with many hazards. The safety of ARC’s membership is of paramount importance. Club equipment, as a limited asset, must also be safeguarded, to ensure that it continues to be available for all to use.

Policy Statement:

All members of the ARC must be approved to row in small boats through the procedure described below, before they will be allocated any small boat equipment.  

Procedure:

1. All members who request to be allocated a small boat for the first time must undergo a skills assessment.
2. Members who are part of a competitive program (Masters, Senior, U 23, U 19, U 17) will be assessed by their program coach.  
3. Recreational members will be assessed by the designated Skills Assessment Coach, as identified by the Recreational Program Coordinator. To participate in a skills assessment, please contact the Recreational Coordinator.
4. The Skills Assessment Coach or program coach will observe boat handling skills by members and the Skills Assessment Coach or program coach will determine whether members are skilled enough to handle a small boat, off and on the water. The skills assessment is based on the Long-term Athlete Development (LTAD) model of Rowing Canada. Skills include:

1. Boat Handling (Turning, Backing, Steering, Stopping, Relaxation)
2. Safety (Spatial awareness, Judging boat speed, Awareness of environment, Equipment safety)
3. Technique (Balance, Rhythm / efficiency, Power Application, Blade control, Timing)
4. Communication/Teamwork – Leadership, planning, communication

For more information on the LTAD skills categories, please see Annex A.

5. The determination by the Skills Assessment Coach or program coach will be used by the Boat Allocation Committee to determine allocation of any boat, as per the Boat Allocation Policy.
6. If the Skills Assessment Coach or program coach determines that the members’ skills are not at a level to permit safe use of the equipment, the Skills Assessment Coach or program coach will provide feedback on areas for improvement.
7. Until members demonstrate a sufficient level of skill, all members that row small boats must be supervised by a coach, accompanying them in a coach boat.

Any violation of the procedure outlined here may be dealt with as a breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct and penalties may be issued as per the Penalties and Infractions Policy.

Approved by the Board of Directors.

June 2014

Annex A: Skill Categories (from RCA – Skills Event – Dec. 2010)

Skill Category 1: Boat handling

The following boat handling skills are required to row independently with safety and confidence and to compete competently and safely in sanctioned regattas.

1. Turning: wide turn (90°), sharp turn (180°), spin turn (360°), to port and starboard
2. Backing: straight line, backing into gates
3. Steering: align boat/set course, row in straight line, course correction (to port and starboard)
4. Stopping: emergency stop, glide stop, stop from rowing, stop from backing

Skill Category 2: Safety (for rower and equipment)

In addition to basic competence in boat handling, rowing safely involves:

1. Recognizing when the equipment is unsafe to row and/or will be damaged if it is rowed;
2. The ability to judge boat speed;
3. Awareness of surroundings, including flow pattern, location of obstacles and other boats;.
4. The ability to read and respond to weather and water conditions.

Skill Category 3: Rowing Technique

Basic elements of rowing technique provide the foundation for injury free, enjoyable and safe rowing, and good boat moving/boat speed. These basic rowing skills include:

1. Balance
2. Rhythm/efficiency
3. Power application
4. Blade control
5. Timing

Skill Category 4: Communication/Teamwork

All the obstacles require crews to demonstrate planning, communication and leadership skills, all of which are critical to safe, enjoyable rowing and competent racing in sanctioned regattas.