Guide for New Members

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This is a brief guide for new, and some not so new members, to help you find all the information you need to enjoy the sport we all love.  To keep this document to a minimum size, each paragraph below has links to the relevant parts of this website.

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GENERAL

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• History – TwRC has a long and interesting history.

• Club officers – you will find a list of Club officers here.  Don’t hesitate to ask any of them for help or advice you may need: in relation to the club or rowing generally.

• Novice Rowers – if you are about to start or have just completed a Learn to Row course, you will find a summary of terminology and general rowing information in the Knowledge Centre.

• Experienced Rowers – may be interested in the Women’s and Men’s squad structures. See below for information on boating arrangements.

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EQUIPMENT

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• Boat Fleet – we have information on the Club’s fleet of rowing boats.  Please make use of the boat booking system.  Part of the fleet is allocated to specific squads.  However, certain boats may be booked generally.  These are indicated as ”Club” boats.

• Blades – club-owned blades are all stored in racks located at the rear of the external boat shed. The blades stored elsewhere, in the singles bay of the main boathouse and in the gym area, are private.

• Shoes – the new shoe system has been rolled out through the squads, requiring rowers to purchase their own shoes and Bat Logic plates.

• Ergo Room and Gym – is available to all members.  However, at scheduled times squad training is given priority, with general usage available subject to sufficient space.

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BOATING PLAN AND SAFETY

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• TwRC is committed to the safe enjoyment and participation in the sport at all times.  The Safety section of this website contains the key information as to how this commitment is put into practice.

• Key documents – All members are expected to read the following documents on joining the club: the Boating Plan, Emergency Action Plan and British Rowing’s RowSafe.  We strongly recommend familiarity with the PLA’s Tideway Code. 

• One page summaries of the club documents may be useful aides memoire: the Boating Summary and the Safety Summary.

• Safety Presentation - The Safety Advisor gives periodic briefings, this is the most recent version.

• Rowing Knowledge test - Once you have assimilated this basic knowledge, you should take the Level 0 test.  We ask all rowing members to do this and require it as part of the Competency Sign-off (see below).

• Pre-outing risk assessment – We have formulated risk assessment procedures to enable rowers and coaches to assess whether the river and weather conditions would require any restrictions to activities.  Please refer to the River Conditions and Risk Assessment page for details.

• Incident Reporting – All incidents must be reported without delay, preferably in writing using this downloadable incident report form, to the Safety Advisor (safety@twickenhamrc.co.uk)  and the Captains (captain@twickenhamrc.co.uk) who will submit them to British Rowing.  Details are here. 

• Competency Sign-Off and Assessment – TwRC is required to ensure that all persons who are in control of any vessels put on the water are formally assessed for competence and safety and to maintain a register of accredited steers.  The scheme is detailed here.

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OTHER

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• Twickenham Regatta took place on Saturday 27th and was a great success thanks to the support and hard work of the Regatta Committee and our many volunteers.  The Regatta is run autonomously from the Club though members constitute most of the Regatta Committee.  The Regatta Committee is keen to find new members from Club Membership to participate in the planning and operation of the 2024 Regatta.

• Social events include the regular Wednesday evening club nights and Friday evening bar as well as the Annual Club Dinner in December.

• Social media:  Facebook group; Club Instagram; Juniors Instagram

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Connor Kirkpatrick

Captain