Small Boat Rules
Last updated by GTBC committee 17 June 2023
Eligibility
a. All users of small boats must have passed an OURCs swim test and a Capsize Drill conducted by an ARA qualified instructor under ARA guidelines, and have notified the squad captains and president of the Boat Club of having done so.
b. All users of the small boats must have read the OURCs ‘Rules of the River’ (particularly noting rules concerning circulation pattern outing times, flag status, and lights requirements) and must follow these rules. It is strongly suggested that users of small boats attend a coxing briefing.
c. For reasons of insurance, all users of small boats must be GTBC members
d. Each new crew (ie. combination of people) must get permission from the squad captains and President of the Boat Club before going out in a small boat for the first time.
e. At least one of the people rowing or sculling are strongly encouraged to have experience rowing or sculling in a small boat.
f. At least one of the people rowing or sculling must have experience steering (as a rower or cox), preferably on the Isis.
g. Rules Specific to the Single Scull
- Scullers using singles should have previous experience rowing and steering small boats.
- All outings in single sculls must be accompanied by an experienced rower/cox as bankrider with a throwline, until an individual is signed off by squad captains and president on advice of coaches who have relevant small boat experience.
- All winter outings (between November and February, inclusive) must be specifically approved by the squad captains and President and must be accompanied by an experienced bankrider with a throwline.
Booking procedures
h. Small boats must be booked in advance for outings and regattas using the small boat booking system (Hertford/GTBC Calendar – access can be requested from President or Squad Captains).
i. Small boat outings must be recorded on the training spreadsheet on a separate tab in order for the committee to have oversight.
j. If members wish to enter a regatta in a small boat, they must inform the President, and Captain to discuss plans for transportation, storage of the boat away from the Isis, and insurance.
k. Booking conflicts must be worked out in a fair manner by the users, with the assistance of the President if necessary.
l. All users of small boats have equal priority, regardless of racing plans. However, if schedules conflict, users can discuss their training needs and racing schedule with the other users and with the assistance of the President if necessary to meet everyone’s needs.
Use of club equipment
m. Small boats must always be left in a state in which any other boat club members can use them. Adjustments and alterations to the boats must be kept to a minimum, and equipment should not be taken from other boats unless absolutely necessary (and it is returned after the outing). If there is any problem with the boat, the Equipment Officer and President must be notified immediately.
n. If any damage is caused to a small boat and/or associated equipment, or if any damage is noticed by users, the Equipment Officer and/or President must be notified immediately.
General
o. All safety incidents (e.g. capsizes, near/actual collisions with other river users) must be reported to the club safety officer, and if necessary a British Rowing report submitted, whether or not damage to equipment or people occurred. Safety incidents will be reviewed by the boat club committee and appropriate action taken if necessary, potentially including supporting individuals involved with additional bankriding/coaching/training, revoking sign-offs, and/or restricting access to small boats.
p. If any of the above rules are broken, the rowers will receive one warning, after which, if any rules are broken, permission to use small boats will be revoked for a length of time to be determined by the Boat Club Committee on a case-by-case basis.
Coaching
q. Outside of whole boatclub small boat taster sessions, GTBC members are expected to arrange and fund their own coaching with GTBC coaches.
