Rowing coaches

[stuartbaggs]

I haven't yet seen a rowing coach driving one of those catamerans wearing a kill cord.

Something needs to be done about this. The coaches in the Kingston area seem to be the worst.

http://www.rowingsolutions.com/catamarans/catamaran.htm

I love how they claim to manufacture these hulls and talk about the design as it's theirs when it's clearly a Topper hull!

 

[No Regrets]

These are 'Rowing' people, not 'Motor' people.

Did you expect them to do anything properly?

 

[Ramage]

I have just checked with Rebellion.

He and the other coaches at Walbrook DO use a kill-cord (around the ankle). However, he agrees that many of the clubs in the Kingston area do not seem to use them.

 

[stuartbaggs]

Yes I do recall the Walbrook guys being sensible, it's the Kingston rowing club that are the worst I think.

 

[Chris_d]

These are 'Rowing' people, not 'Motor' people.

Did you expect them to do anything properly?

Do you wear a kill cord then? its just a boat not a jet ski.

 

[stuartbaggs]

Do you wear a kill cord then? its just a boat not a jet ski.

So what do you think is going to happen when they fall out and the engine is still running?

Are you a rowing coach?

 

[Chris_d]

So what do you think is going to happen when they fall out and the engine is still running?

Same as if I fell off my boat I guess, it will carryon and hit the bank. Are those cats really that unstable though, I'm not saying they shouldn't wear them if there is a significant risk but having driven one of those cats I would say they are no more risky than any other small outboard powered craft on river. On open choppy water it would be different.

 

[No Regrets]

Is that why they keep shouting 'WAAAAKE'?

 

[stuartbaggs]

Kill switches are installed for a reason.

Sensible people, and people who care about not killing others with their boat will wear a kill cord. If you don't wear it (and have one fitted), you're just plain negligent and idiotic.

I don't think people would be so relaxed about the use of a kill cord once their boat has seriously injured someone and damaged property.

 

[thejonesey]

I have just checked with Rebellion.

He and the other coaches at Walbrook DO use a kill-cord (around the ankle). However, he agrees that many of the clubs in the Kingston area do not seem to use them.

We do at my club too, although I agree that a lot of people don't and should. With regards to the boats, they are unbelievably stable but that doesn't stop anyone slipping over.

As always there are idiots in every walk of life. I would suggest that you speak to someone in authority at the club(s) and, failing that, contact British Rowing.

No Regrets What about rowing people who are also motor people?

 

[No Regrets]

Do you wear a kill cord then? its just a boat not a jet ski.

In the tender, yes. On the boat no, as it won't capsize and I have crew to take over.

 

[CJL]

Rowing has a safety initiative called RowSafe and it makes clear that killcords must be used. However they rarely are and the skippers of the coach boats rarely have any qualifications. One club I came across says if you have a Powerboat Level 2 then you are allowed to teach others how to drive!

Interestingly the RowSafe documents strongly suggests getting rid of Tin Fishes as they are dangerously unstable. These and the umpire launches are NOT stable enough to have two crew members pulling a rower out of the water all on one side of the boat.

Also now killcords are required on the tideway if my memory serves me correctly!

CJL