QUALIFICATION TEST

QUALIFIED ROWERS

In order to be classified as a Qualified or Level 5 rower and possess a key to our compound, you must be a paid-up member, be 19 years of age or over, and must demonstrate the required skills to a qualified club coach.

Once you are classed as a Level 5 rower, you are entitled to a key to the boathouse and may use the club boats following club rules.

SAFETY

View safety video

Read tide table chart

Use log book properly - LOG IN and OUT

Life Jacket

Safety whistle

Appropriate clothing for the weather

Water bottle

Familiar with safety equipment in compound and coach boat

LAUNCH

Place stretchers out at compound

Carry oars with blades forward

Call commands for moving boats

Remove boat from storage without hitting riggers or other boats

Toes on edge of dock when lowering boat

Close vents and bungs

Oarlock facing stern when placing oars

Dockside blades in first

Proper placement of life jacket

Clear rigger bolts when stepping in - boat 2" from dock

Hold both oars with waterside hand when stepping in

Step only on STEP PLATE (keep feet off shell)

Adjust foot stretchers for proper finish height

Check for secure heel ties

Check finish height

Check nuts, bolts, riggers and all equipment before launching

DOCKING

Bring boat back to dock without hitting

Secure oars before leaving boat

Clear rigger bolts when stepping out

Close gates after removing oars

Open vent holes and bungs

Lift boat cleanly from water

Wash boat inside and out, including slides, seat wheels and riggers

Place boat back safely on boat rack

Tie boat down securely

TERMINOLOGY

Can call proper commands to carry out and return a boat

Can define or demonstrate:

EASY	HOLD WATER	PORT
STARBOARD	BOW	STERN
DECK	GUNWHALE	SPLASHBOARD
FOOT STRETCHER	FOOTBOARD	SEAT
SLIDES	RIGGER	OARLOCK
GATE	PIN	RIGGER NUTS
HEEL TIES	FIN	SLEEVE
HANDLE	BUCKET	SHAFT
COLLAR	CATCH	FINISH
DRIVE	RECOVER	SQUARE
FEATHER	CRAB

ROWING TECHNIQUE

Proper sequence of motion of the rowing stroke - (LEGS-BACK-ARMS then ARMS-BACK-LEGS)

Posture - pelvic hip rotation, sitting tall, layback crunch balanced on back of seat

Hand positions - left over right, thumb on end of handle

Relaxation - grip, shoulders, arms, breathing

Horizontal movements of blades

Proper finish height

Proper catch height

Collars tight to oarlock

Square blade - entry - extraction

Symmetry of motion on left and right side

Blades off the water

Pushing to heels

Leg lock down

Balance control with stable hips

Slide control 1:2 ratio (drive: recovery)

WATER MANEUVERS

Bow boat

Familiar with the river - location of sandbars, oysterbeds, buoys, boundaries, etc.

Launch and dock without assistance

Row 500 m in a straight line - looking back every 5-10 strokes for course

Emergency stop

360 degree turn using both blades - backing with one, rowing the other

Course correction with oar pressure - 5 times port, 5 times starboard

10 strokes each - 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, full slide

10 strokes arms and back

15 strokes backing

15 strokes on the square

*A special thanks to Leigh Holyoak for allowing us to adapt her original Rowing Qualification Test for our club's use.