TSS Safety Rules & Code of Conduct for  Juniors

Tideway Code

All juniors and their coaches must have read and understood the PLA Tideway Code and the general club safety rules which also apply to juniors. Both are linked from the website under safety. These additional rules and code of conduct must be followed by juniors

General Training

1.     No junior may go out without a coach or other responsible adult.  

2.     All Junior’s must complete the swimming test and capsize drill within 6 months of joining the club or have completed a similar test elsewhere.

3.     No Junior aged 14 and under is to go out on the water without a safety launch. Older juniors may go out with an adult sculler in the same or another boat at the discretion of the adult. 

4.     Beginners groups must stay between Barnes and Kew rail bridges.

5.     When on the water, all Under 14s MUST stay in sight of a coach.

6.     There will be no more than five crews of 10-14 year olds per coach or safety helper.

7.     For Under 14s there will only be rowing when the air temperature exceeds 6C at the clubhouse.  For older groups this is at the coach’s discretion, but if its too cold outings become pointless. 

8.     There will be no rowing if there are white horses on the river at the start of the outing.

9.     All club boats must be washed down at the end of each outing, and tied onto the rack at both ends.  Boats must be racked with the shoulders next to the foot stretcher on the rack. 

10.  Everyone MUST wash at least their hands and face immediately after each outing, and should preferably shower when they get home - the River Thames may transmit infectious diseases

11.  Any broken equipment must be reported at once in the equipment damages spreadsheet.

12.  J14s and below may only go into the gym with their coach’s permission.

13.  J14s and below may not use weights or rowing machines or bikes without adult supervision, .  Juniors over J14 may go into the gym on their own and use the weights or use rowing machines or bikes with their coach’s specific approval. The coach must be satisfied of their competence and that they will stay within set limits before doing so.      

14.  Juniors must bring along to each session:

a.     Wellies or substantial sliders. 

b.     Trainers

c.     Shorts or leggings and a short sleeved teeshirt (or an all-in-one)

d.     A long sleeved top in cold weather

e.     A sweatshirt or similar in cold weather

f.      a spare set of dry kit

g.     a water bottle if the weather is hot

Note: Teeshirts and sweatshirts should be close but not tight fitting and should not have pockets in the front or side.  Also please be aware that rowing is a mucky sport, so don’t let your child row in something which might be ruined by mud !

15.  At the end of the session, children must be collected promptly unless making their own way home.

Note: For Beginners groups help from parents getting boats on and off the water is greatly appreciated and usually needed

Racing

Parents are expected to:

·       Be in attendance at the Regatta/head or to make a responsible adult known to their child in loco parentis, and to inform the coachwhich adult is acting in loco parentis

·       Make transport arrangements for their children to and from the venue.

·       Provide sufficient food and drink for the duration of the regatta/head (please bear in mind that rowers can eat and drink huge amounts over a day’s racing !);

·       Pay entry fees before the race

Juniors (with parental help, if required) are expected to:

·       Load the boat and sculls onto the designated trailer prior to the race and once racing is finished

·       Re-rig the boat and put it (and the sculls) away within 48 hours of the trailer’s return to the club (unless the coach decides differently).