Are the rowers taking over?

J

Jaysay

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Is it me, or are we seeing a marked increase in the number of regattas that close off or restrict the navigation on the Thames? Navigating through a regatta can be hell.

There seemed to be quite a few this year, and I now see that Desborough Cut will be closed off in January and the reach from Mapledurham to Caversham will be closed off twice on 1 March next year. Not much inconvenience on the former, being in January (and one could take the alternative passage), but the latter is in a busy part of the river just as the season is coming alive. And presumably that's just a start.

The restrictions at Henley and Oxford are traditional and can be enjoyed, lived with or avoided - at least navigation is still theoretically possible; but closing off the whole river on a dozen or more occasions seems a bit much to me.
I can't work out if these many events have always been there and are just better announced by the EA now, if they are on the increase, or if I am getting intolerant in my old age. Anyone else noticed or bothered?
 
No there are lot less than there used to be, a real shame as it adds to the colour and interest on the river. There used to be two at Reading, two at Henley, Wallingford, Carmel College, Radley, Abingdon, Goring, Pangbourne etc... anywhere with a club almost, then there was the Head of the River events in January/February, its very quiet these days.
 
I'd like to think that EA has listened to its boaters. I think credit is due to BoatOne who has hammered away at the communications "issue" and others who have done likewise.

There's a nice lady hidden away in the huts at Shepperton who makes a great effort to keep folks informed, even though that may be not very timely.
It would be a shame to lose it.
 
Theres plenty of rowers out at Henley most days, to be fair they use the river all year round unlike the majority of boaters, just wish the rowers would look over there shoulders when rowing.
 
bumperdump said:
Theres plenty of rowers out at Henley most days, to be fair they use the river all year round unlike the majority of boaters, just wish the rowers would look over there shoulders when rowing.
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I have often wondered why some form of wing mirrors has not been compulsory ?
 
Chris_d said:
Probably the same reason lights, horns, anchors, ropes, fenders etc... are not compulsary, be careful what you wish for:(
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Whilst I remember how fanatical the ocean racing yacht crews were about anything affecting the wind profile to the point of taking down the radar radome when on racing passages – I would not have thought that wing mirrors for rowers was such a big deal ! My observation with respect to lights when in poor visibility is that they are becoming more popular possibly due to the availability of cheap LED’s
 
I don't think performance would be the issue more the problem of where to put them so that they didn't get hit by the oar/oarsman and still be effective. My comment was really aimed at your use of the word "compulsory", if you somehow manage to legislate wing mirrors as compulsory where do you stop? Bit like trying to get cyclists to where helmets and obey traffic laws.
 
Jaysay said:
Is it me, or are we seeing a marked increase in the number of regattas that close off or restrict the navigation on the Thames? Navigating through a regatta can be hell.
................
I can't work out if these many events have always been there and are just better announced by the EA now, if they are on the increase, or if I am getting intolerant in my old age. Anyone else noticed or bothered?
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As Trueblue has intimated, the TMBA and others have been pressing for improved communications from the EA for quite a while now and there has been a distinct increase in HM notices. However, they are still quite unreliable at times, often late in being promulgated, and emailed notices frequentlly never appear on their website.
I don't think there are more events but I do sense there may be a few more full river closures than used to be the case - just a feeling though rather than any reliable statistics.
 
Chris_d said:
Probably the same reason lights, horns, anchors, ropes, fenders etc... are not compulsary, be careful what you wish for:(
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No need for any of that: "Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout...." from the collision regs., but surely stating the bl.....ding obvious. Prosecute those who do not look where they are going for the same reason you would drunken drivers - they are endangering others.

John G
 
Jegs said:
No need for any of that: "Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout...." from the collision regs., but surely stating the bl.....ding obvious. Prosecute those who do not look where they are going for the same reason you would drunken drivers - they are endangering others.

John G
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I think if byron had his way there would be a lot of cruiser owners not looking where they are going :D
 
Jaysay said:
Is it me, or are we seeing a marked increase in the number of regattas that close off or restrict the navigation on the Thames? Navigating through a regatta can be hell.

There seemed to be quite a few this year, and I now see that Desborough Cut will be closed off in January and the reach from Mapledurham to Caversham will be closed off twice on 1 March next year. Not much inconvenience on the former, being in January (and one could take the alternative passage), but the latter is in a busy part of the river just as the season is coming alive. And presumably that's just a start.

The restrictions at Henley and Oxford are traditional and can be enjoyed, lived with or avoided - at least navigation is still theoretically possible; but closing off the whole river on a dozen or more occasions seems a bit much to me.
I can't work out if these many events have always been there and are just better announced by the EA now, if they are on the increase, or if I am getting intolerant in my old age. Anyone else noticed or bothered?
Click to expand...

Maybe the upsurge in coastal rowing is having side effects.....You also have The Great River Race in September which is 20 miles right through London and attracts even us coastal rowers :encouragement::rolleyes:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=g...j8&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8
 
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