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Description

Aim: To introduce the basics of rowing and water safety. Based on the British Rowing Learn To Row Program and accredited by British Rowing. Added to the BB Company Section Discoverer Pro Pack, Recreation, Outdoor and Adventure A3 by Vale and South BB

Resources

Activity 1
• Sports clothing for each boy
• A scull
• Learn to Row Course book (Download from www.ara.org.uk)

Activity 2
• Access to Boathouse
• Ergos
• Water bottles (full)
• Learn to Row Course Book

Activity 3 & 4
• Boat (trainer sculls, quad, octuple or eight)
• Blades
• Personal Flotation Devices
• Throw Line
• Support Boat
• Bull Horn or Cox Box

Instructions

Activity 1 - Preparation - Swim Test

Aim: To Swim 100 meters in sports clothing in a swimming pool.

Instructions:
Introduce the programme content and issue each boy with a record book. Give each young person an insight into how the course is organised and structured and where each session will be carried out.

Pool side explanation on the importance of being able to swim in sports clothing.
1. Introduce the syllabus and safety discipline.
2. Discuss personal clothing needed (minimum standard ie no Jeans etc)
3. Describe the features of a rowing boat and safety equipment
4. Confirm that each you person can swim.

Tips / Advice
• Explain the need for young people to act responsibly on the water, to respond to safety instructions and the potential accidents and hazards, which can occur. Emphasise the importance of personal discipline and the need to ‘look out’ for one another in order that the sport can be enjoyed to the full safety.
• Introduce the topic and explain how each young person will be helped to achieve the standard in a safe manner. Some young people will have reservations about capsizing and the importance of this aspect will need to be bully explained, highlight how coaches will closely supervise the activity.
• Explain the features of a rowing boat (see activity 2 in the workbook) Explain who should wear a Personal Flotation Device and when they must be worn.
• Demonstrate the clothing required. Explain the need for light clothing but how items like Pac a Macks can help protect from the wind, also the use of zip off warm tops.
• Arrange for a suitable venue for the swim test. Tell the young people in advance
that they should bring suitable clothing. (remember no footwear is worn in
rowing).
• Watch the young person undertake their capsize drill. Sit the young person in the scull, move the scull away from the edge of the pool and allow them to capsize, The young person should tap the bottom of the scull twice before surfacing. The young person should then swim with the scull to the other side of the pool and then swim 100 meters all in sports clothing.
• Ensure that you have a lifeguard available and that recovery equipment is available for use.
• Make sure that this is a fun activity, maybe allow a free swim after the test is complete. If you have the pool to yourself maybe introduce a clean football to allow an impromptu water polo session.
• On completion of the activity sign off activity 5 in the course book.

Activity 2 - the Boathouse and Erg Room

Aim: Orientation and to understand the need for good preparation

Introduce the session and explain about safety in and around the boathouse. Explain the importance and need to undertake warm up exercises.

1. Use activity 1 from the work book to encourage young people to find their way around the club house.
2. Undertake some simple warm up exercises
3. Introduce young people to the ergs. Demonstrate the correct use and how to use the controls.
4. Use activity 3 to discover the effect of using the different settings
5. Use, follow the leader games to try and get the young people working together.
6. Remove a boat from the boathouse and set it on trestles and explain the parts complete activity 4 in the work book.

Tips / Advice
• Always use the correct terminology for parts of the boat and other equipment
• Encourage young people to have straight backs when on the ergs and when moving boats about.
• Ensure that young people understand the different ways to use trestles for when the boat is rested on the hull or on the saxboard.
• Use a question and answer session
• You may wish to use the end of this session to introduce local river rules. Identify safe rowing areas, turning points, navigation rules, local current movements, the effects of wind and points to avoid, in preparation for session 3
• You should now be able to complete session 1 in the back of the workbook and parts of session 2.

Activity 3 - Getting Out On The Water

Aim: To understand embarkation and team work

Instructions:
1. At the boathouse remind the young people about the need to warm up before training. Also remind young people what to do in the event of a capsize, also the need to safely manoeuvre boats in the boathouse.
2. Undertake a short warm up session, this may include use of the ergs.
3. Collect the blades to be used and place them on the dock side (or bank)
4. Those required to wear personal flotation devices should put them on now.
5. Remove the boat to be used from the boathouse and place it in the water at the dock side.
6. Explain and demonstrate how to get in and out of the boat, where to stand and the order for rigging
7. Prepare the boat, place the blades in the swivels and do up the gates. Follow the coxes command to get in the boat.
8. Push off from the dock and paddle first in pairs and then build up. The young people not rowing should sit the boat.
9. When in a safe location demonstrate the effect of dropping and lifting the blades.
10. Practice the various positions and movements, backstops, easy, fixed seats, feathering, hold, spin turn.
11. Return to the dock and follow the coxes commands to remove the boat from the water
12. Ensure that the young people wipe the boat down.
13. End the session with a warm down session maybe on the ergs (eg 500 meters)

Tips / Advice
• Use an experienced cox for the first few outings
• Be aware of river conditions for the Thames only row if the river is green or amber below 100. Never row if the river is Red
• Ensure that the cox always wears a PFD. Also anyone who was weak at the capsize drill should wear e PFD for early sessions. If the river is amber then consider the whole crew wearing PFDs.
• Under 15s should only row in sculls, quads or an octuple, Over 15s can also use fours and eights.
• If using trainer sculls have them on a tether until the young person is confident, this may take as little as 15 mins. Then always have a safety boat on the water when sculls are off the tether.
• Always use the correct terminology
• Build up progressively session by session.

Safety Issues / Risk Assessment
For off-site activities adequate supervision must be arranged to ensure best practice procedures are met.

Ensure that you are familiar with local water conditions, never be afraid to not proceed if you are not 100% confident.

Activity 4 - Rowing Together

Aim: To build team work and skill

At the boathouse brief young people about your aims for the session. Outline the importance of working together.

1. Undertake a short warm up session, this may include use of the ergs.
2. Collect the blades to be used and place them on the dock side (or bank)
3. Those required to wear personal flotation devices should put them on now.
4. Remove the boat to be used from the boathouse and place it in the water at the dock side.
5. Prepare the boat, place the blades in the swivels and do up the gates. Follow the coxes command to get in the boat.
6. Push off from the dock and paddle first in pairs and then build up. The young people not rowing should sit the boat.
7. Practice the various positions and movements, backstops, easy, fixed seats, feathering, Come Forward to Row, racing starts, spin turn.
8. Return to the dock and follow the coxes commands to remove the boat from the water
9. Ensure that the young people wipe the boat down.
10. End the session with a warm down session maybe on the ergs (eg 500 meters)

Tips / Advice
• Use an experienced cox for the first few outings
• Be aware of river conditions for the Thames only row if the river is green or amber below 100. Never row if the river is Red
• Ensure that the cox always wears a PFD. Also anyone who was weak at the capsize drill should wear e PFD for early sessions. If the river is amber then consider the whole crew wearing PFDs.
• Under 15s should only row in sculls, quads or an octuple, Over 15s can also use fours and eights.
• Ensure that session by session that young people are encouraged to perfect their skill. Keeping the stroke long and the rate appropriate, balance the boat.


Resources:
BB Learn to Row workbook
http://www.ara-rowing.org/upload/files/News/BoysBrigadeBooklet.pdf
http://www.ara-rowing.org/getstarted

Tags

• discover
• Learn to Row
• recreation
• Rowing
• sports

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