River Info

Rules of the River

All boats MUST keep to the RIGHT HAND side of the river. The bowside of the boat is close to the bank.

1.The OVERTAKING boat MUST move to the centre of the river. The OVERTAKING boat has right of way over the boat being overtaken. The boat being overtaken MUST keep as close as possible to the bank.

2.An OVERTAKING CREW rowing downstream has right of way over an overtaking crew rowing upstream.

3.Crews that are stationary because they are being coached or rested must do so on a part of the river where they pose no major hazard. For crews to be stationary on the parts of the river that are used for timed pieces is not to be done. Any crew stationary MUST be as close to the bank as possible.

4.As far as possible boats should only be turned at the following points :

Upstream of the beck located slightly upstream of DARC
Between Baths Bridge and the Road Bridge
Downstream of Prebends Bridge, but as near to the bridge as is safe

Crews should not spin at the following points

Between the Road Bridge and Elvet Bridge
On the corner underneath Kingsgate Bridge.

5.Crews leaving a landing and crossing the river must do so as quickly as possible. Crews returning to their landing must not crossover until almost opposite the landing.

6.CREWS WILL NOT TO BOAT IN HIGH FLOOD. For a crew to boat in flood conditions, depends upon the ability of the crew and the judgement of the coach. No crews should boat when there are rising flood conditions; this is when the river is high and rising, with excessive rainfall and a high chance of large amounts of driftwood.

Coxing On the Wear

1.It is good practice to boat with the bows pointing upstream. This enables the cox to have full control

of the boat. This rule must be obeyed when there is a large amount of stream on the river. This helps

avoid collisions that may occur with traffic coming upstream.

2.Turning the boat:

Make sure that you are in a safe position to turn.

Check to make sure that you do not impede others. This involves looking over your shoulder

and all around you for other river users.

Turn as quickly as possible, trying to leave room for passing crews.

If there is a stream on the river, use it to help you turn the boat. This is achieved by turning

the boat downstream and using bow side to take a few strokes. This means that the faster water

in the middle of the stream pushes the bow round. If turning to face upstream, cross the river using

bow side rowing and leave the stern in the stream in the middle of the river. The stream will push the

stern round.

When the turn is completed move off straight away or move right into the bank.

Do not just sit in the middle of the river.

3.Do not turn close to Elvet Bridge. When turning above the bridge read the stream and anticipate

how much room will be needed. More room is required if the stream is fast. Don't feel as though

you have to turn when you are told to - if you think you are too close to the bridge go through it and

turn well away at a distance that you think is safe. The current is strong around the bridge so be

decisive or the stream will take charge.

4.The cox is in charge of the boat even when there is a coach present. You need to be responsive at all

times so when asked to easy by the coach, check to make sure you are not impeding others. When

asked to easy by a coach, move to the bow side bank and easy, keep the boat well into the bank.

Don't be frightened to interrupt the coach in order to keep the crew and the boat safe. Warn others

and be on the look out for other crews.

5.When on the river the boat drifts in the direction of the stream. This means that when the crew is at

rest, the upstream end of the boat is likely to drift out into the river. Therefore, make sure that the

upstream end of the boat is pointed into the bank. The stronger the stream, the greater the effect.

6.When overtaking make sure that it is clear ahead and look out for other boats. Make sure that the

boat you want to pass is close to the bank and if not shout and tell them that you wish to pass.

When moving out to overtake, make sure that you do not overlap and take into account, when moving

upstream, that if you move out too far you may never catch them.

7.Using the rudder creates a drag on the side of the boat meaning that it will go in the direction that you want it to. On straight parts of the river use little rudder movements at a time when the blades are in the water. Pick out steering marks to help make steering easier and remember steering straight saves times and wins races.