Yellow Boards!!

jaws

jaws

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OK. Without mentioning any names, I wrote to a rowing club in the Bray/Bovney area asking why they had inexperienced teenagers out on the river when this stretch was on Yellow boards on Sunday 30th March. Having witnessed the rowers come to an instant stop and drift down stream when they stopped rowing I can only conclude that the EA warning on the website was correct.
The club in question, however, are adamant it was safe to go out.

Anyone have a definitive answer as to the official state of the river on Sunday and what penalties, if any, are in place for clubs sending out children in these conditions?
 
I was disgusted to see such inexperienced youngsters out and about on Yellows, with absolutely no life saving equipment.

The kid in the motor boat would not have been much use looking at his boat handling ability.

The head honcho replied to my email, saying the River was on 'No Stream Warnings' so I sent him the link to the EA website, which I originally referred to, and which clearly stated Yellows in the Bray to Boveney reach.

The whole thing makes me shudder, and explains the gross stupidity of Rowers when other vessels want to use the river in the vicinity of them....
 
No Regrets said:
I was disgusted to see such inexperienced youngsters out and about on Yellows, with absolutely no life saving equipment.

The kid in the motor boat would not have been much use looking at his boat handling ability.

The head honcho replied to my email, saying the River was on 'No Stream Warnings' so I sent him the link to the EA website, which I originally referred to, and which clearly stated Yellows in the Bray to Boveney reach.

The whole thing makes me shudder, and explains the gross stupidity of Rowers when other vessels want to use the river in the vicinity of them....
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I agree with your sentiments wholeheartedly, however I'm not sure it's the 'gross stupidity of rowers', rather the gross stupidity of those who sent those children in. The children would be keen to row whatever the conditions, that's kids for you, but the tutors abilities surely must be questioned, particularly in the light of the recent ship lake incident?
 
All Rowers should wear Kapok Life Jackets, crash helmets and safety goggles. Locator Beacons should be strapped to their right thigh, a portable VHF clipped to their chests, a box of flares between their legs and be accompanied by an Arun Class Lifeboat.

Or. You could just educate them to make their turn earlier when the river is flowing fast.
 
Having travelled downstream from Bray Marina through Boveney Lock, I can confirm that Yellow boards were indeed on display at the lock. In agreement with information on the day on the EA website. It appears therefore that the gentleman at the nameless rowing club (situated not unadjacent to Windsor Marina) was mistaken in his belief.
 
byron said:
All Rowers should wear Kapok Life Jackets, crash helmets and safety goggles. Locator Beacons should be strapped to their right thigh, a portable VHF clipped to their chests, a box of flares between their legs and be accompanied by an Arun Class Lifeboat.

Or. You could just educate them to make their turn earlier when the river is flowing fast.
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:D It should really be banned then they could all stay at home and get fat like everybody else these days:(
 
It is all a matter of risk. That would be quantified with a Risk Assessment. The question is, does the Club's Risk Assessment permit and or encourage Juniors to be out on the river when it is on Yellow Boards, seemingly without any adult coach or supervision?

The EA recommendation is that unpowered craft should not navigate when Yellow boards are displayed.
 
Chris_d said:
:D It should really be banned then they could all stay at home and get fat like everybody else these days:(
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Cool idea, they could be wrapped in cotton wool and eat their chips in front of their TVs with their fingers in case they hurt themselves with a knife and/or fork.
 
byron said:
Cool idea, they could be wrapped in cotton wool and eat their chips in front of their TVs with their fingers in case they hurt themselves with a knife and/or fork.
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Joking aside we are talking about children here, and other people's at that. Nobody is suggesting grown adults shouldn't be allowed to exercise judgement and do what they wish. I've contacted British Rowing for clarification on their policy.
 
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