Salcombe Estuary Rowing Club Rowing for All Newcomers Introduction to Rowing Welcome to Salcombe Estuary Rowing Club s ( SERC ) Introduction to Gig Rowing, which will be over six weeks. The purpose of this is to give you all the basics for learning to row a gig, as well as opportunities to row in the club s small boats, so that by the end of the six-week period, you should feel more confident and hopefully want to join the club and go forward into the Intermediates before joining one of the main sections either to row for fitness or to consider racing. This is designed specifically for anyone over 16 years of age for anyone under that age, we have Junior and Children s rowing please see www.salcomberowing.co.uk for details. Dates: Free introductory row in the Club s plastic training gig Mon 21 st April, 2-4pm Introduction to Gig Rowing: 6:30-8pm on either: Wed 14 May Wed 18 Jun (6 weeks): or Wed 25 Jun Wed 30 Jul (6 weeks) Intermediates Wed 25 th Jun end of September, 6-7pm or 7-8pm Places Available: There will be a maximum of 10 places per course available, so please do book in advance to avoid disappointment. Payment Details: The cost for the Introduction to Gig Rowing is 20 (non-refundable) which must be paid one week (minimum) in advance of the start date. Cheques should be made payable to: SERC and sent to the Newcomer and Intermediate Captain. Once you have completed the initial six weeks, you will need to join the club, see the rates on our website, and you will pay the membership fee LESS your 20. The Important Stuff! Please complete the medical form attached to this pack and return it with your cheque for the course, along with full contact details. It s important for us to know any medical information that is relevant to taking up this physical sport. Health and Safety this will be covered at the beginning of the first session and will continue to be reiterated during the six weeks. This will include capsize drill, feeling unwell or getting injured in the boat, manoeuvrability of the boat, getting in and out of the boat and launching and retrieving. A H&S risk assessment is available from the Club. Q&A What You Need to Know Before You Start
Q: Where do I go to? A: The club s gig shed is in Gould Road, Salcombe, opposite the car park. We meet there and walk the gig on its trailer to the Batson slip to launch. There is very limited parking in front of the gig shed, so please use the car park and make sure you put enough in the meter to cover the time you will be there. Please be there 15 minutes before the start of the session to get the gig ready and allow the same at the end to put the gig and kit away before leaving. 2 hours should be sufficient. Q: Who will be running these sessions? A: Geoff Goodier & Annie Quinton are the Newcomers and Intermediates Captains, and they should be your first point of contact geoff.goodier@hotmail.com / 07807 887304. There will also be 1-2 experienced club rowers and a coxswain/coach per boat. Q: How long will the sessions be and what can I expect? A: The sessions will be 1.5 hours this will allow time to go through information off the water, such as how to handle the oars and get in/out of the gig, as well as at least 40 minutes on the water. You can expect to row in short bursts initially with plenty of stops for a rest and a drink of water. Following the six-week plan, you will learn all the basic techniques from the coxswain/coach and experienced club rowers, as well the expectation that you will work on your own fitness outside the boat, specifically designed to improve your fitness in the boat. Q: Is it ok to miss a few sessions? A: This is a structured course with set aspects to cover each week. These build on previous weeks' training. Therefore, it is important that you attend every week. Family disasters can befall us all, but in previous courses a few people have given attending the course a low priority. This has reduced the courses effectiveness and fun for not just them, but also for the rest of the crew (losing a 1/6 th of your engine makes the boat much harder to row, and leaves the boat unbalanced, which also slows it down). If you can't guarantee to be at every session please don't start the course. If you miss a session without very good reason you may lose your place. Q: I ve never rowed before will I be ok? A: Yes lots of people who row with us now had never rowed before they came to the club! You will have experienced coxswains and rowers in the boat with you so that you can learn from them. Remember we all started this way! This is your opportunity to try a new sport. 1 If you are suffering from minor ailments, particularly musculoskeletal problems (pulled muscles, back ache etc), please discuss them with whoever is running the session at least the morning before, so that there is plenty of time to arrange a substitute if required. Q: What should I wear? A:. General: Clothing should be snug fitting so that it doesn t get caught up with the handle of your oar, but not so much so that it restricts movement. If you decide to continue with rowing, you can buy specialist kit through the club which may be a better option than spending money before the course. Bottoms: Rowing gigs correctly requires a sliding movement across the seat. Over an hour this can cause a degree discomfort. Everyone has their own way of protecting against this, but the more common methods include using lycra shorts (to reduce friction with your skin) as underwear, and a more resistant shorts/leggings/trousers on top to provide protection to the lycra, and for those that are worried about it, more modesty. 1 You must have completed the medical form satisfactorily and sent it in before the start of the Introduction, having seen your GP if necessary to ensure you are able to take up a new physical activity.
Tops: Rowing is rarely effected by the weather. Therefore, it is important that you have a good weather proof jacket just in case, and a shirt which won't chaff you under the arms. Shoes: Both in the boat & launching/recovering the boat you may well get your feet wet. Therefore, wear a pair of shoes which are strong enough to be able to push against the edge of the foot supports without hurting your feet, but that you are happy to stand in water in. I use an old pair of training shoes, some use crocks or wellies. Gloves: Again, an area much talked about with some preferring gloves and others not. If you do use gloves, I suggest that fingerless ones are a better option. Foot Straps: The use of foot straps is still the source of much debate in the club. However, we will be following the rowing technique as developed by our sport s governing body & British Rowing which needs at least one of your feet to be securely attached to the foot support. You will develop your own way of securing your foot/feet, but a quick and easy way is to use a nylon 1cm luggage cam belt buckle strap (about 40cm long will do). Alternatively, you might prefer to use a piece of rope. Q: I can t swim does this matter? A: No but ideally it is useful if you can swim between 50-100 meters, but the club can provide lifejackets if required. Please be assured that gigs are very stable boats, built to withstand the conditions and are regularly maintained. Q: Is there anything else I need to know in advance? A: Water please bring a plastic bottle of water with you as you will need to keep hydrated. Q: Is rowing very strenuous? A: Rowing is a physically demanding activity, even if you are not planning on developing to racing standard. So that you can give it your best without feeling unduly tired during the session, or the day after, and can do your share of the work in the team, please make sure you increase your exercise in the next few weeks. Particularly, this should include: a. Sit ups: The correct rowing action includes doing half sit-ups for extended periods, so build up on the sit-ups. b. Leg exercises: The power for rowing is developed from your legs (not your back or arms), so squats (for the more athletic), or power walking up steep hills (for the less so) is good practice. Most importantly do enjoy learning to gig row one of the fastest growing sports in the South West! Basic Introduction to Gig Rowing and Seamanship There are some basic points about being in a gig and being on the water that all new rowers need to be aware of. Obviously some newcomers to gig rowing may have different knowledge of aspects of various types of rowing and being on the water this is to provide you all with the basics to being in a gig! The Cornish pilot gig is a six-oared rowing boat built of Cornish narrow leaf elm, 32 feet (9.8 m) long with a beam of four feet ten inches. The coxswain (cox) sits at the stern (back) end and steers the gig by holding a rope in each hand - the ropes being attached to the rudder.
There are six rowers each rowing one oar. So there are three oars in the water on both the port (left) side of the gig, and the starboard (right) side of the gig. The oars that are over the port side are called BOW oars those over the starboard side are STROKE oars. Each rower has their own seat and sit at the furthest distance away from the side that their oar goes over. The oars are placed between two wooden sticks (PINS) on the edge (GUNWALE) of the gig, and rest on a piece of plastic (MARZIPAN) so that the gunwale is not damaged. The rower s feet rest on a long piece of wood (STRETCHER) the position of which can be altered as necessary. The oars are numbered 1-6. Oar 6 is called the STROKE oar (as well as it being an oar that goes over the stroke side!) it is this oar that sets the timing of the oars it is the one that all the other oars have to follow (i.e. all oars should enter and exit the water at the same time!) The actual process of rowing will be explained throughout the teaching sessions. There are some basic commands that the cox will use that all rowers should be aware of: Forward to row the rower leans forward with straight arms and back, head up, knees bent, the position of the handle of the oar being directly above the feet no further in the position ready to drop their oar into the water. Row the rower puts the blade in the water and pulls a stroke- following the timing of the 6 oar. Easy all or Easy oar stop rowing, and hold your blade out of the water. Bow side, one up all the oars that are out on the bow side are required to pull one stroke together through the water, hopefully at the same time! Hold water keep or put the blade of your oar in the water and hold it firmly at 90 so that the boat slows down and stops moving this is in fact an EMERGENCY STOP! Beware that if the boat is moving at speed the handle of the oar can be difficult to keep in position, and may come towards your chest area with force. Stroke side, dig in all oars on stroke side put their blade in the water at 90, whilst sitting upright in order to keep that side of the gig in position. Back water this command is to move the gig backwards so you in fact reverse the action of going forward, but do not alter the position of the face of the blade.(i.e. do not turn the oar around). Lift your oars this command is to get all oars in a vertical position the end of the handle resting on the floor boards, between your legs, with the blade straight up in the air. You will need to reach your arms up and hold onto the shaft of the oar quite high up, to keep it steady. The cox will instruct you by your oar number so number one oar up one will only require only that oar to pull one stroke forwards. The cox will address all rowers by the number of the oar that they are rowing this is not because you are new, or he can t remember your name! It is to enable commands to be given quickly and directly to the correct rower so do not take offence! BASIC SEAMANSHIP
Life jackets are worn by all those under 16 years (this includes the cox if <16s in the gig). If you cannot swim you should wear a life jacket, and inform the cox. Rowers should wear layers of clothes so that as they warm up some can be removed. Wellington boots should not be worn to row in however rowers will need to walk into the water when launching or retrieving the gig so a change of footwear is advisable. Bottles of water should be used for refreshment. A gig is a long, narrow boat and can be a bit tippy at times! Be careful when getting in and out ensure that the rowers are not all on one side of the boat and that you make everyone aware of your intentions if you are moving around in the gig, so that it doesn t become unbalanced. Do not all move to one side of the gig at the same time or it will tilt violently this is important when coming alongside the pontoon or another boat the cox will command who is to move where and when. Watch your fingers when you are holding onto the side of the boat (gunwale) as they can get trapped against the pontoon and other gigs. The cox is normally in command of the boat (there are some exceptions) - so you need to listen to what is being said at all times. If you cannot hear please let the cox know. The cox is not only teaching you, but also steering the gig and ensuring that it does not collide with any obstacles, nor does it go aground. The coxes undergo training on the Salcombe Estuary and in the use of VHF radios to ensure that they are competent to handle the gig in all situations it is very important that you obey their commands. If you feel ill, faint or have any other symptom you must stop rowing and tell the cox. The cox in turn will stop the gig and assess the situation. In extreme situations the lifeboat can be called. If you spot another crew member who does not look well you must let the cox know. Everyone s safety and well being is everyone s concern. If you fall over board do not swim away from the gig stay where you are, treading water the cox will instruct one of the rowers to watch you all the time, and will assess the correct manoeuvre to come to your rescue. Those rowers still in the gig must obey commands and not move until instructed. If you have seen a dangerous situation and you think that the cox is not aware of it let them know. This could be a boat coming quickly towards the stern (back) of the gig that the cox may not have seen. This is always seen as a good practice, as the safety of everyone is paramount. It is the cox s decision as to whether a gig is launched, or a rowing session terminated early. Weather and sea conditions are always changing and it is the cox s duty to be aware of their and the rowers limitations, and their safety. When rowing, you should be attentive to the commands of the cox. Most rowers are there to learn and improve their skills and fitness. Please do not chatter to other rowers or answer mobile phones (leave them in your cars they invariable fail the float test!) there will be times when social interactions are fine usually when a gig is stopped for a short time for drink breaks etc. There are some rowing slots in the week for Social Rowing and everyone is encouraged to join, regardless of ability; often these are rows to the Millbrook or even the Crabshell, or a glass of wine whilst attached to a buoy in the Estuary!
SERC is keen to provide a safe and happy environment to all those who use its facilities. The committee welcome any suggestions or ideas for improving the club. SERC s motto is Rowing for All regardless of age, gender or ability new members or friends of the Club are always welcomed.
CORNISH PILOT GIG ASSOCIATION WATER SPORTS READINESS QUESTIONNAIRE Salcombe Estuary Rowing Club Regular physical activity is fun and healthy, and being more active is very safe for most adults. However, some should check with their GP before they start becoming much more physically active. The Cornish Pilot Gig Association accepts no liability for persons who undertake physical activity, if in doubt consult your GP prior to physical activity. 1. Has your GP ever said that you have a heart condition and that you should only do physical activity recommended by him/her? 2. Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity? 3. In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not performing physical activity? 4. Do you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose consciousness? 5. Do you have a bone or joint problem that could be made worse by a change in your physical activity? Please list the bone/joint problem here: 6. Is your GP currently prescribing drugs (for example, water pill) for your blood pressure or heart condition? 7. Do you know of any other reason why you shouldn t exercise? List here: Yes No If you answered YES to one or more questions visit or speak with your GP prior to commencing. If you answered NO honestly to all questions you can be reasonably sure that you can start rowing, however, in the event that you start to feel unwell tell your coxswain immediately. I certify that I am able to swim in excess of 50 yards. Yes/No I have read, understood and completed this questionnaire. Any questions I had were answered to my full satisfaction by a Senior Club Member. Name: Signature: SAFETY UK Health & Safety Management and Training Practitioners 01736 762888 CORNISH PILOT GIG ASSOCIATION - HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES AND WATER SAFETY GUIDELINES Issue 6 dated February 2012