Code of Practice for Coaches

Purpose:

The purpose of this Code of Practice is to maximise the capacity on the river and to ensure that every crew has the best opportunity to train.

Guiding Principles:

  1. Traffic on the river remains safe for all users at all times.
  2. It is more important for a crew to row than a coach to talk.
  3. Do not hold up other crews.
  4. Take care and be aware of single scullers, Town crews and other river users.

Above Chesterton (Downstream or Upstream, before 0900hrs and at any time when the river is busy - common sense defines this):

  1. Unless required for safety, no rowing with fewer than 4 rowers at a time in an eight, roll the changes rather than stop/start, and at a minimum of half slide.
  2. Increase boat speed (via increasing number of rowers, or pressure up to half pressure) as needed in front of other crews.

Chesterton to Penny Ferry (Pike and Eel) (Downstream or Upstream):

  1. Keep moving through this stretch of water, but expect to merge with upstream crews spinning at the pub.

Penny Ferry (Pike and Eel) to Ditton, Ditton to Bovis (Motorway) Bridge (Downstream or Upstrteam):

  1. Treat this as the main 'course' for crews.
  2. No rowing other than continuously with full crew, unless not safe to do so, or of doing standing starts.
  3. Standing starts, and their practise, may be done provided that others are not impeded.
  4. No stopping other than at Ditton to spin, to fit in with traffic or to maintain safety; if spinning, do so near the post at the bottom of the Reach, and do not join a line of crew spinning all the way up the Reach - wait your turn at the bottom!
  5. Expect other crews to be rowing at speed, especially upstream, and do your utmost not to obstruct them.
  6. Respect other crews that simply cannot go any faster but do their best to maintain the flow.
  7. Obey relevant rules re overtaking, pulling in to the bank to give way etc. (See Rules of the River).
  8. If coaches wish to talk to crews at Ditton, which is often unecessary, pull into the bank to do so and do not create an obstruction to moving crews; do not stop and talk elsewhere on the river other than below the Little Bridge.

Ditton Corner:

  1. Expect crews to be spinning just upstream of the corner.
  2. Once spun, pull into the bank to talk/rest, or move off promptly. Don't just sit stationary in the river!

Bovis (Motorway) Bridge to Baitsbite Lock:

  1. (Downstream) Expect to find crews spinning below the slight corner so reduce speed to suit.
  2. (Upstream) Expect to find crews assembling near the Little Bridge for upstream pieces. Such crews to move off as soon as possible without long instructions from the bank. A reasonable delay to allow a slower crew to get ahead is acceptable.

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