LRC Safety Rules and Guidelines

• You must be properly trained and qualified to use LRC equipment.
• Inspect the equipment (shell and oars) before you row. Avoid and report any questionable or damaged equipment.
• At the end of the rowing season, and winter approaches, LRC abides by US Rowing rules that require a launch to accompany any single or pair if the water temperature is below 50 degrees F. Boats with experienced and qualified crews that have four or more oars/sculls may continue to row using extra precaution for the cooler temperatures.
• Use good judgment and consider your capabilities when rowing in inclement weather or when the current gets high. High current can bring floating debris which can damage and flip boats, as well as, swirls that can affect boat stability.
• Flooding of the boathouse creates unique hazards for launching and retrieving boats. When the water level is predicted to reach 640 ft., or the floor of the boathouse, rowing is not permitted. Rowing may resume after water levels retreat to a level commensurate with a rowers skill and experience.   Good judgment is imperative.
• Avoid rowing when there is approaching severe weather. Thunderstorms and high winds can be particularly dangerous.
• Follow the published traffic pattern
• Avoid rowing in the channel.
• Bow lights are required when rowing in the dark.
• Observe and avoid river traffic. Be particularly cognizant of large barges, fast moving bass boats, and boats producing large wakes. Staying out of the channel reduces risk.
• Always looks for oncoming rowing shells. Be cognizant of buoy location. Mirrors can be helpful.
• Sign the log book when leaving and upon return.
• Use good judgment and do not row in conditions that are considered hazardous to your skill level and experience (current, water level, weather, water temperature, debris, etc.)

LRC Equipment Categories

The high cost and fragility of rowing equipment necessitates the need for members to learn basic skills on older and more robust equipment before moving on to newer and more advanced boats and oars. Consequently, LRC equipment is designated and identified per the categories below. With appropriate approval rowers can move to more advanced categories before meeting the minimum qualifications (check with the rowing coach or a designated Board Member):

• Category “A” Novice. Equipment identified for those people who are new to rowing and recently completed the “Learn to Row" class or equivalent instruction:
• Oars: Sculling oars that do not have lime green handle (basically many oars on the left exit side of middle boat bay)
• Shells:
  • Singles: Peinerts marked “A”
  • Doubles: Vespoli “Texas” after approval with rowing coach or a qualified LRC Board Member.

• Category “B” Intermediate. Equipment identified for those completing 50 hours of rowing following the Learn to Row Class or new members adequate some rowing experience):
• Oars: All sculling oars and LRC Sweep oars for Kaschper four.
• Shells:
  • Singles: All Pienerts and training Empacher after approval of rowing coach or a qualified LRC Board Member.
  • Doubles: Vespoli “Texas”, “Harvard”
  • Sweep: Vespoli Four: After approval of rowing coach or a member authorized by the Board.
  • Quad: Wintech and Kaschper after approval of rowing coach or a member authorized by the Board.

• Category “C” Experienced. Equipment identified for those who have completed 50 hours of rowing and several competitive events (Sprints or Head Races) in a season or those who have been rowing consistently for at least two (2) seasons:
• Oars : All sculling oars and sweep oars for Vespoli four.
• Shells:
  • Singles: All
  • Doubles: Vespoli “Texas”, “Harvard”, Wintech mid and heavy weight doubles, Vespoli Matrix.
  • Sweep: Vespoli (Zelle) Four and Vespoli Eight
  • Wintech, Kaschper heavyweight Quads, Vespoli VHP Midweight Quad

• LRC Doubles and Quads: LRC doubles, quads, and eight are our most expensive and newest boats. These boats may only be rowed by LRC Members (or others with Board approval) after they have been specifically trained to handle and row in multi-seated boats. For those not acquainted with these boats training can be provided by the LRC Coach or a member authorized by the Board.

In addition to above, equipment can only be transported by knowledgeable people. Check with a Board Member to identify a qualified person or a person who can train you in safe handling and loading techniques.