Lake Purdy Rowing Association House Rules and Safety Guidelines Adopted June 4, 2013 Amended November 2017 Page! 1 of 9!
LPRA HOUSE RULES LPRA House Rules govern the day-to-day responsibilities and obligations of its members and guests. These Rules shall be posted on the LPRA website and provided to all new members. The House Rules may be modified at any time by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors but no such changes shall take effect until notification thereof is emailed to all members and the revised Rules posted on the LPRA website. 1. LAKE ACCESS a. Lake Purdy is a primary drinking water reservoir owned by the Birmingham Water Works Board. To preserve the quality of the water, only boats controlled by Ken Delap, President of Lake Purdy Fishing, are allowed on the lake. LPRA's access to Lake Purdy is under the auspices of Lake Purdy Fishing. b. LPRA members and guests will respect and comply with all Lake Purdy Fishing rules; noncompliance shall be grounds for membership termination. c. Every day prior to rowing or boating, each member or guest will register at the Lake Purdy Office. d. The hull of any rowing shell last rowed at any body of water other than Lake Purdy will be thoroughly cleaned with a solution of 75% water and 25% distilled white vinegar. 2. MEMBERSHIP a. LPRA membership is open to all persons age 12 and over who have completed a Learn-to-Row course and/or passed a rowing proficiency test and satisfied all application requirements. b. Any member may introduce a friend to sculling to enable the friend to pass the proficiency test, and join LPRA. c. A Non-Resident member who uses LPRA rowing facilities in excess of 15 times during the fiscal year will be assessed the dues applicable to residents. d. The Board of Directors may extend temporary use of LPRA facilities or equipment to any individual visiting from another club, and may charge a fee therefor. e. Annual dues are payable within 30 days of posting. Current dues are as follows: Individual $330 Temporary $180 Nonresident $90
f. New Individual members joining LPRA for the first time on or after July 30, and Individual members who rejoin LPRA after a hiatus of 31 months or more, will pay 50% of the posted dues. g. A membership may be terminated by resignation, failure to pay any indebtedness to LPRA, or by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Board if they determine the continuation of the membership would be damaging to LPRA's integrity or purpose. 3. MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES a. Prior to launching, all members and guests will register at the Lake Purdy Office and record use of LPRA boats. b. Members will not alter or adjust any LPRA equipment, including adjusting LPRA rigging and oars, without authorization by the Equipment Manager. c. After rowing, members and guests will thoroughly wipe down the boat before returning it to the racks, strap it to the rack, log the time of return on the registration entry at the Lake Purdy Office, and note any damage or need of repair. d. Members may not independently conduct group classes or charge a fee for any type of rowing instruction. e. Each member will notify the Secretary of any change in address. f. Members assume full responsibility for the loss or theft of personal items; LPRA may discard any unclaimed personal items in or around the boathouse. g. Members may not solicit or facilitate the solicitation of LPRA membership by mass mail or email for any purpose, charitable or otherwise, unless approved in each instance by the Board of Directors. 4. GUESTS a. Members may invite an interested friend to row as their guest at Lake Purdy up to a maximum of 4 times per friend per calendar year, provided the guest is always accompanied by the member, registers as a Guest at the Lake Purdy Office, pays the daily Lake Access Fee ($5), and completes and signs all waivers and swimming certification forms. b. The member is responsible for guiding their guest through the process of fulfilling these requirements, and any member who fails to do so will not be allowed to host future guests. c. Any member who is contacted by anyone interested in learning to row and/or joining LPRA shall notify the Membership Development Chairman of the individual's name, email address, telephone number, and any pertinent information. d. The Membership Development Chairman shall provide all registered guests with a package of informational materials, invite them to attend a meeting or social event, and encourage them to take a Discover Rowing and/or Learn-to-Row class. e. Members may not charge any party any fee for any rowing activity or related training or coaching at Lake Purdy unless expressly authorized to do so in writing by the Board of Directors, and any such activities and payments under such authorization shall be promptly reported to the Membership Development Chairman. f. Members will be responsible for any indebtedness incurred, or any damage caused, by their guests. Page! 3 of 9!
g. The Board of Directors may consider increases to individual rowing guest limits upon request. If the guest is in an LPRA boat without the member in the same boat, the member is expected to stay with the guest at all times on the lake. 5. USE OF LPRA FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT a. The use of LPRA facilities and equipment is the exclusive privilege of members in good standing and their guests, Learn-to-Row students, and any individual to whom the Board of Directors may extend temporary privileges. b. While at Lake Purdy all minors must be accompanied by a supervising adult who has authority or paperwork to provide consent for their medical treatment in the event of an emergency. c. Rowers will use only those boats they are authorized to use based on their proficiency test, and will not carry LPRA boats unassisted unless approved to do so. d. No person who is unable to swim shall row or ride in any personal or LPRA rowing shell/boat on Lake Purdy unless they wear a class 1 or 5 USCG-approved personal flotation device (pfd). e. Members may use other members' personal boats and equipment only with permission from the boat's owner. f. LPRA boats and equipment may only be moved from Lake Purdy upon express approval by the Equipment Manager. g. The Board of Directors may prohibit the use of any rowing shell at Lake Purdy in the event of hazardous conditions. h. Heel restraints and quick-release mechanisms must be in proper and effective working order in all boats equipped with fitted shoes. These restraints should not allow the heel to lift more than 5cm (2 inches). i. Members may use LPRA sweep rowing shells (fours or eights) under the following conditions. Participating rowers must be LPRA members; any guests must be approved in advance by an LPRA Officer. Each boat must include at least one member who is authorized to coach a four or eight. No member shall conduct group lessons that are not sanctioned by the LPRA Board of Directors. Use of sweep boats should be scheduled on-line and may not conflict with LPRA classes or programs. BOAT DAMAGE a. Only persons with authorization by the Equipment Manager will repair LPRA equipment. b. Members are responsible for the cost of repairs to boats damaged during their use regardless of the cause of the accident. If LPRA insurance covers costs associated with the incident, the responsible member is responsible for any deductible and associated costs not covered by LPRA insurance. c. In case of any destruction, defacement, or injury to any property belonging to LPRA, the member who caused it, or whose guest caused it, will pay the cost of replacing the same.
d. Any rower finding a boat damaged, either pre-row or post-row, should leave the boat in the rack and notify the Equipment Manager within twenty-four (24) hours. e. If a member or guest damages a boat, they must notify the Equipment Manager and email a description of the incident and the extent of the damage within twenty-four hours. f. A completed incident report form is required by LPRA if any of the following occurs: person(s) overboard or swamped, any personal injury, Any collision, any damage or loss of LPRA equipment, supplies or articles. 6. STORAGE OF PERSONAL BOATS a. A limited number of racks at the boat shed are available to members on a yearly rental basis, according to procedures which will be administered by the Equipment Manager. b. Racks and other spaces will be assigned to members who have applied by email or in writing. There will be no storage of boats at Lake Purdy without prior approval. c. Availability of racks, and location of assigned positions, may change during a year due to various circumstances, and are conditions of personal boat storage are subject to change by a vote of the Board of Directors. LPRA-owned boats will generally have priority over personal boats. d. Persons leaving their boats and other property at Lake Purdy assume complete and sole responsibility for loss or damage of any kind. LPRA will not, under any circumstances, be responsible therefor. e. No persons will take away from the premises any property whatsoever belonging to LPRA, except as provided in the Boating Rules. f. The annual LPRA fee schedule for the storage of privately-owned rowing shells will be as follows, prorated to ½ these amounts after June 30 of each year for boats not previously stored at the boathouse: Single $250 Four $500 Double $350 Eight $1,000 7. SALE OF ASSETS The sale of any LPRA asset must follow these guidelines unless, at the discretion of the Board, the amount is minimal: a. All sales must be announced to LPRA members. b. All sales must be made to the highest, acceptable bid. c. There must be at least one month between the announcement and the closing of a sale. 8. NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY LPRA will not discriminate against any person regarding application for membership, election to office within LPRA or any activity under the control of or sponsored by LPRA on account of race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. Page! 5 of 9!
Lake Purdy Rowing Association Safety Guidelines This document is not an all-inclusive treatment of rowing safety, but is intended to guide members and guests in assuming responsibility for their own safety. LPRA members are expected practice and promote safe, responsible rowing. LPRA assumes no responsibility, either expressed or implied, for the personal safety or welfare of any person. Only LPRA members and guests of an LPRA member are allowed to use LPRA equipment and facilities as provided in the House Rules. When a launch is in use, it should is recommended to be supplied with a cell phone, first aid kit, tool kit, fire extinguisher, flashlight, whistle or megaphone, and paddle or oars. Scullers in doubles or singles should always have a cell phone on board, preferably in a waterproof container secured to the boat, with the Fishing Office phone number ((205-991-9107) programmed into the contact list. In very cold weather doubles and singles should only be rowed when accompanied by a buddy boat or launch. In the event of an emergency, use these distress signals to communicate to other boats: wave your arms or a shirt above your head or raise one oar in the air. Capsizing If you flip, swing your feet out from under and away from the hull as quickly as possible to minimize entanglement with oars, riggers and clothing. Stay with the boat, holding onto the hull, until assistance arrives. Under no circumstances should you swim away from the shell, as it provides flotation. In a 4+ or 8+, follow the instructions of your coxswain or coach. In a scull, if you are rowing without a launch present, call the Fishing Office for a rescue. You may swim the boat to shore lying in the stern, using the shell as a paddleboard. Entering the shell directly from the water may cause splashboard damage, but you may do so if you have received specific training on this or are in your own boat. In very cold weather be aware that loss of muscle control can occur quickly and dramatically, so it is critical to call for help and keep as much of your body out of the water as possible. Traffic and Wakes Be courteous to others on the lake. Be aware of all boaters and treat them with respect. The rowing pattern on Lake Purdy is counter-clockwise. Take care when approaching wakes to avoid possible damage to the boats. If an approaching wake appears to be higher than the gunwales (sides), the boat should be turned parallel to the wake to avoid Page! 7 of 9!
having part of the shell unsupported by the water. It is possible to split a shell under these conditions. Rowers should stop rowing and lean away from the approaching wake, with oars on the wake side lifted slightly. If an approaching wake appears lower than the gunwales and widely spaced, continue to row without a course adjustment. Deep and closely-spaced wakes that are lower than the gunwales may be taken at a 90- degree angle with the bow facing directly toward the wake. Foul Conditions Check the weather forecast before going out on the water and, once out, watch for gathering clouds, changes in wind speed & direction, or temperature changes. If foul conditions arise while on the water, try to minimize equipment damage but remember that you are more valuable than the boat. Never row in strong winds, fog, or storms. If sudden winds come up, return to the boathouse if the trip is safe, or take the boat to the nearest shore and wait for the winds to calm. If fog sets in, use a whistle to advise other boats of your location as you take your boat towards shore, then follow the shore back to the boathouse. If you see lightning, hear thunder, or notice your hair standing on end with static electricity, head for the nearest shore, take your boat ashore and wait for the storm to pass. Hot Weather A rower exposed to sun and heat without sufficient fluids can risk heat exhaustion or heat stroke - two very dangerous conditions. To avoid these problems in hot and humid weather maintain a high fluid level. Drink water before leaving the dock and carry a water bottle onto the boat, use sunscreen, and wear light clothing and a hat. Signs of Heat Exhaustion include throbbing headache, nausea, cool skin, chills, sweaty, and pale pulse. Action - drink water, shade from sun, and treat for shock. Heat Stroke is life threatening -- signs are behavior changes, unconsciousness, hot but not sweaty, flushed warm skin and rapid pulse. Action- CALL 911, douse with cool water, shade from sun, fan, ensure the airway is open. Water Temperature Water temperature should always be monitored as there is danger of hypothermia anytime the lake temperature is below 80 degrees, and is exceedingly dangerous if the water temperature is below 50 degrees. Symptoms can include: turning blue, shivering, numbness, lethargy, and disorientation.
Action if cold and shivering: get out of the water quickly, even on top of the capsized boat. Keep as much of the body out of the water as possible - heat loss is 25 times greater in the water. Huddle with others and move to shelter quickly, remove wet clothing and re-warm body. Do not give any liquids to drink, treat for shock. Call 911 to obtain medical assistance as soon as possible. If the victim is still cold but shivering has stopped: treat as above but DO NOT RE-WARM EXTREMITIES! The torso must be re-warmed to avoid circulation of cold blood to the heart, which can kill. Wrap the victim in a warm blanket and apply heat to under-arms and groin area; wrap again in a separate blanket. Wrap each arm and leg separately to prevent rapid re-circulation of blood to the heart. Hot packs should not be placed directly on the victim, a thin layer should be used to protect the victim from burning. If possible place the victim in a sleeping bag with a warm person. Administer artificial respiration and CPR if necessary. Always obtain medical assistance as soon as possible. Cold water immersion -- Be aware that in very cold water people have survived as long as one hour underwater. Recover a victim immediately and even though there may be no sign of life, administer CPR efforts until medical assistance is obtained. The LPRA Board of Directors appreciates your cooperation. Safe Rowing! I have read the Lake Purdy Rowing Association Safety Guidelines: Signature Date Printed Name If the athlete is under the age of 18, one parent/guardian must read & sign. However, it is preferred, if possible, for both parents/guardians to read and sign. Signature(s) of Parent/Guardian Date Parent/Guardian Date Printed Name(s) Page! 9 of 9!