The club boathouse is a rented facility whose appearance and function is the responsibility of all club members. To absolve our landlord and the club of liability each member is required to sign a waiver of responsibility for use of the facilities. Minors must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. In addition, members are expected to read, know and obey the bylaws of the club. Of all club rules, those concerning safety on the water are by far the most important. Rowing has a long history as a safe sport, relatively free of physical injury to its participants. However, any water sport is not without its hazards. The vagaries of wind, weather and tide along with sharing the waterways with motorized craft can be a challenge. Ability to swim well and remain calm both in and on of the water is mandatory.
Rowing equipment is expensive and fragile. All members, whether the equipment is privately owned or the club’s, must hold proper responsibility for damage. An experienced member should be consulted as to how properly to move shells in and out of the water as well as in and out of the boathouse. A rigger or loose oarlock can cause considerable damage to both boats and people. It should be remembered that most shell damage occurs not on the water, but on land, especially the boathouse and ramp.
Membership includes use of all common equipment, which will be identified at orientation. Privately owned boats and equipment are not to be used without specific permission of the owner.
General Conduct
- Membership – A waiver must be signed declaring the Cape Fear River Rowing Club, Wilmington Marine Center, and U.S. Rowing free of liability. All who row from the boathouse, including prospective and certified members, as well as guests, must sign waivers. To use club owned equipment a member must complete two or three introductory lessons supervised by an adult club member. Dues must be paid on time to remain a member in good standing.
- Facility Use – The boathouse and dock are for rowing only. Any other use will be by consent of the membership and landlord.
- Junior Members – Members aged 16-21 may use the facilities and equipment as stated above provided written consent has been obtained from a parent or guardian.
Rowing Safety
- An annual club-wide safety meeting and “tip” drill will be conducted to review of club safety procedures and practice in re-boating after unplanned water entry. Attendance is mandatory for single scullers.
- All members are advised to review water conditions before rowing: current, stage of tide, wind and waterway traffic.
- Large ships and barges cannot and will not alter course or stop for rowers. Extreme caution should be exercised in the vicinity of such traffic. The best rule to use when being approached by a large vessel is to turn your boat to the right and move as close to shore as is safe until passed. For sculling boats, wakes are best taken broad on the bow, but not at 90 degrees to the wake. For longer sweep boats wakes and large waves should be taken near the beam so that the entire hull remains supported by water.
- The loss of body heat when immersed in cold water and prolonged exposure to low temperatures can lead to fatal hypothermia. Members should be able to recognize impending hypothermia in them and others take corrective measures. Less body heat is lost when as much of the body as possible is out of the water. Early warming can be initiated by covering the body with blankets or plastic “space” blankets, by heat from warm bodies and by immersion in warm water as soon as possible. Hot drinks should not be given to anyone approaching a state of unconsciousness.
- When air temperatures are below 40 degrees F or water temperatures are below 50 degrees F, particular care should be taken in attire, route planning, companionship and equipment. During times of these low temperatures, junior rowers are not allowed to row unless accompanied by a coaching launch or unless a parent or guardian has granted specific prior approval.
- If forced to enter the water, no rower should leave floatation to swim ashore. A float toward Southport is preferable to a potentially fatal unsupported swim against current for even the shortest distance.
- Night rowing is forbidden. Rowers will not be on the water earlier than one half hour prior to sunrise or one half hour after sunset. If the possibility of being on the water exists, at minimum, a “bike flasher” will be carried and used in the most visible position.
- Do not row if visibility is reduced by fog or rain such that you cannot see the far side of the river.
- All members are encouraged to learn and remain qualified in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
- Scullers and crews must log in and out, listing type of boat, intended route, time of departure and estimated time of return.
- Unaccompanied shells should stay reasonably close to shore to facilitate swimming the boat to shore should a capsize occur and bailing be needed.
- All boat equipment: particularly oars, riggers, stretchers, seats, shoes and oarlocks should be checked before each row.
- All rowers should be familiar with forecasted weather and water conditions. A change in tide can have a dramatic effect on surface conditions on the river.
Rowing in warm weather can severely deplete body fluids. A liter of water should be considered a reasonable intake per hour of rowing in hot weather.