Oh Dear! Rowers again...

Ocasionally I argue with my wife. After all the important things are said she must have the final word. I have learnt to let her.
 
Hmnnnn. I dare say "she" will have the last word, but not before I take some umbrage at his pathetic schoolboy jibe on grammar and its correct use. Seriously, rather off the point wouldn't you say? And whilst he is (I confess) correct in my intended meaning, the literal meaning works quite fine for me also, since he clearly was inferring a minor level of transgression from my/other's descriptions of events. Whilst I of course was both implying and asserting a rather higher level of offence (yes, technically it was an 'offence' / ther were 'offences' - I checked, and the EA seem to agree!).

Really, really poor show RR.
 
When I was a youngster, and at a minor public school in west London, horrid people used to write nasty letters to the Headmaster complaining about us misbehaving on the bus or train, and even prefects used to report us for not wearing our caps and stuff.

Believe it or not, in those days retribution was swift, painful and frequently unjust. Under todays social contract I would probably have been able to sue for assault, child cruelty, GBH or similar and said Head would have lost his headship.

Now you horrid people use the internet :D
 
Having read this right through I'm minded to agree with rr about the them and us stuff, there is far too much intolerence everywhere these days. However knowing some of the people concerned here this clearly wasn't normal bad rower behaviour, what I would have done if it was that serious is completely loose it:mad: take my boat over to their landing stage park slam bang in the middle of it find someone in charge and given them a right b******g, you will find the ruling classes actually do respond quite well to this:)
 
boatone said:
When I was a youngster, and at a minor public school in west London, horrid people used to write nasty letters to the Headmaster complaining about us misbehaving on the bus or train, and even prefects used to report us for not wearing our caps and stuff.

Believe it or not, in those days retribution was swift, painful and frequently unjust. Under todays social contract I would probably have been able to sue for assault, child cruelty, GBH or similar and said Head would have lost his headship.

Now you horrid people use the internet :D
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On my understanding children will be children and adults should know better!

As an adult I helm the boat with consideration for others, I slow down for rowers etc knowing I'm likely to receive their usual abuse, that's life, but if I raced around in an irresponsible manner causing wash and discomfort to others then I would expect retribution, or even to find myself appearing on a forum.

Should anyone be expected to sit back and say nothing? In my opinion, no. That's a perfect remedy to make matters worse, people will do it more - because they know they can! That's why children are set boundaries and are taught right from wrong.

I didn't notice a child driving the said boat but then again perhaps mental age or IQ could be debatable!

I'd take any issues to a local RUG, by representing groups across the board they tend to be very helpful, understanding and fair.
 
OceanBlue said:
Should anyone be expected to sit back and say nothing? In my opinion, no.
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You miss my point. People complained directly to somebody in a position to take action. In my view a simple factual letter of complaint to the Head of said educational establishment (assuming it was, indeed, they) would be likely to be taken seriously and appropriate action taken to ensure their 'charges' behave better.

I'd take any issues to a local RUG, by representing groups across the board they tend to be very helpful, understanding and fair.
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A point I made earlier. However, it has been noticed at several meetings I have attended in recent times that no representative from the rowing fraternity has been present. Also they only meet 2 or three times a year which means immediacy is often lost.
 
I don't know

whether this has any real bearing in the essence of this subject,


But

the rowers are on the River every day of the week and statistically don't see many other users at all, so they're not used to "dealing with "us" ".

Bear in mind that in such a highly competitive sport all are focused on going fast. The crew is shouted at by some unrealistic pillock in the coaching boat or by a diminutive cox at the rear end - or for more modern front- wheel-drive boats, at the front. Thus when they do come across a bigger lump of machinery, they don't know how to treat it. In any event "we" won't be there tomorrow...

When they're paddling or resting they usually respond to my frantic waves with a nod or a desultory wave back.

If I were driving one of those coach boats - and new nothing about relatively larger motor boats - from my driving position I would have thought my wash was of no consequence - that is even if I did think anyway.

OK the Eton lads may go for a burn to let off steam (who wouldn't give the chance) but quite often the coach may be dealing with several inexperienced crews scattered along both Windsor or Bray reaches and have to move between them fast before the crews get cold.

We are the enemy disturbing their nice flat bit of River. Easy to catch a crab if the water is choppy.

One has got to see both sides of the "challenge".

We talk amongst ourselves, but I have no idea how we talk to the other side.
 
No I'm not. I thought True Blue has summed up the whole matter pretty well and brought it to an exhausted conclusion.

.....a diminuitive cox from either end, but a LOUD ONE! :D
 
TrueBlue said:
.

quite often the coach may be dealing with several inexperienced crews scattered along both Windsor or Bray reaches and have to move between them fast before the crews get cold.
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TB really does make some perfectly good observations and comments. Which I largely (but not wholly) agree with. Especially if taken in the wider context of general river use and us all getting on together. Even if my earlier posts did not leave that impression (and in the heat of the moment, I'm sure they didn't!).

But, regarding speeding between scattered crews, according to the EA Waterways Duty Officer, that is something specifically prohibited in the conditions attached to the speed limit dispensations they issue. I'm sure others here more acquainted than me with rowing club operations and rules will be able to confirm this. If we have to follow rules and be considerate to other river users (including rowers), then why should they assume they do not have to follow the rules and be duly considerate to other river users too.

Now, I am not tarring all rowers with the same brush. Far from it. In fact I rather think the assumption that some posters like me here are doing so is probably what has raised so many hackles. Let's be specific, Friday evening was annoying, but in isolation would never have warranted comment. But Saturday's behaviour was atrocious by any measure. Darn right dangerous at times, as well as inconsiderate, rude and arrogant. (those are not throw away words, I can justify every one of them)

You don't have to believe us, and I understand the photo/video 'evidence' hardly supports our case, but consider this... Would at least three skippers of different boats all have taken the time to ring the EA and lodge formal complaints for anything other than what we each independently considered to be a very serious show of bad behaviour this weekend?

Sorry TB, my comments below are not aimed at you personally, just picking up one smallish point and then expanding to address, as I say, what i think is a misconception as to what I the NR are really trying to express here. Never deliberately misunderstood! :D ;)
 
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Just a few questions we might like to ponder upon;

1/ is there or is there not a sign at the entrance to the Windsor stretch asking boat owners to drive slowly?

2/ would the Eton motor boats have passed so fast and close to their own rowing vessels?

3/ why do the rowers have such possible contact details on their websites and premises?
 
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