As teams gradually start to return to the water, a few quick reminders and best practices to start the season off safely, right from the first stroke.
In this Spotlight:
PFD requirements & Zone 5 procedures
High-vis
Water Temperature
Sculling/Paddling Certifications
iCrew
USRowing Safety Webinar
Return to Water Reminders - Teams/Programs
PFD requirement:
All launch occupants are required to wear a life jacket at all times.
All coxswains are required to wear a life jacket until April 30th.
Zone 5 Protocols & Procedures:
If your program is planning to row in Zone 5 conditions, the Head Coach must complete the Zone 5 Request procedures. These begin on page 19 of the TRRA Safety Protocols and Procedures Handbook
High Visibility Requirement:
All sculling, paddling and/or crew boats must have at least one person with Hi-Vis apparel on as a top layer, above the waist, at all times.
Sculling (1x, 2x): All seats must wear a hi-vis top layer/item above the waist.
Out-Rigger Canoe: All seats must wear a Hi-Vis top layer/item above the waist.
Kayak: All seats must wear a Hi-Vis top layer/item above the waist.
Dragon Boat: The drummer and the steers person must wear a Hi-Vis top layer above the waist.
Sweep Rowing (2-): All seats must wear a Hi-Vis top layer/item above the waist.
Crew Boats (4+,4-, 4x, 8+): The bow seat and the stern most seat (stroke or coxswain) must have a Hi-Vis top layer/item above the waist.
For more information and a list of examples of high visibility layer options, please review page 14 of the TRRA Safety Protocols & Procedures Handbook.
Return to Water Reminders - Log Book Scullers/Paddlers
Water Temperature:
There is no Log Book Sculling until the water is 50-degrees fahrenheit or higher.
Individuals who are Level 3 Certified Scullers and have completed the right and re-enter self rescue method can complete a Cold Water Exemption Request form and be considered for Log Book Sculling before the water temperature reaches 50-degrees. For more information and the criteria for the Cold Water Exemption, please refer to page 11 of the TRRA Safety Protocols & Procedures Handbook.
There is no Log Book Paddling until the water is 60-degrees fahrenheit or higher.
Sculling/Paddling Certifications:
Log Book Sculling and Paddling is restricted to those members who have been certified to use that equipment:
Paddling: Out-Rigger Canoe Certifications must be completed and on file with TRRA. If you are interested in becoming certified for an Out-Rigger canoe, please contact pghpfish@gmail.com
Sculling: Sculling Certifications must have been completed after June 25 2021 to be valid for 2022. If you completed your Sculling Certification after that date, you have been made aware of your certification level and the PFD and range restrictions of that level. If you have not been Sculling certified since July 1, 2022, you can sign up for certification sessions once river and weather conditions permit.
Questions about your completed certification: admin@threeriversrowing.org
iCrew:
All Log Book Scullers/Paddlers must sign in and out for every on water session using iCrew.
Log Book Scullers/Paddlers that do not own their own equipment or plan to use TRRA owned equipment, must also reserve that equipment in iCrew prior to launching.
Questions about iCrew: admin@threeriversrowing.org
High Visibility:
Log Book Scullers/Paddlers must adhere to the high visibility requirements listed above.
For more information and a list of examples of high visibility layer options, please review page 14 of the TRRA Safety Protocols & Procedures Handbook.
USRowing Safety Webinar: April 5th, 2022
USRowing continues to offer free webinars for current USRowing members. The USRowing Safety Committee will be hosting a Spring Safety Webinar on Tuesday, April 5 at 7pm. You can register for this, and other webinars or re-watch previous presentations by visiting the USRowing Webinars Page
Be Safe,
Matt Logue
Executive Director
