10 Things To Do at the Close of the Rowing Season
In preparation for next season, you need to finish this one with annual checks to rowing boats, to give yourself and your club time for changes and repairs. It’s a bit like servicing a car once a year!
Step one, is to get a working bee going at the club. List all of the boats in the shed, and get a small team of people (minimum 2) to work together on each boat recording the following data points.
Rigging & Boat Wear & Tear Checks
1.
Boat name
Boat Weight / Type (8/4/2/1)
Date of measurement
2.
List each numbered seat and against each, record items 3 – 10 below. It may be best to print out a spreadsheet template for everyone to use.
3. Oarlocks
Are they worn? Y / N
Do they wobble around the pin if you lift the gate? Y / N
Replace: Y / N
4. Rigger nuts and bolts
Are they rusty? Y / N
Replace? Y / N
5. Slides
Are the protective ends in place everywhere or missing?
Missing = replace
6. Shoes
Are they worn? Y / N
Does the closure velcro hold firm? Y / N
Is the heel restraint firm and correct length? Y / N
Good / repair / replace
7. Seat
Are the bearings working in all wheels? Y / N
Are the clips holding the seat in place? Y / N
If they rattle, replace / or repair clips
8. Coxswain seat
Are the speaker wires clipped securely in place? Y / N
Any breaks in the wire? Y / N
Do all speakers work clearly? Y / N
Good / repair / replace
Measure
9. Riggers
Rigger span: cms – sculling boats – distance from centre of pin to opposite side centre of pin
Rigger spread: cms – sweep boats – distance from centre of pin to mid-point of boat.
10. Pitch of Oarlock
What degrees are on the oarlock insert (the blue/black plastic that holds the gate onto the pin Height of oarlock sill off the seat in cms (you’ll need a height stick for this)
All papers are turned into Coach or Captain of the club, to determine if any changes are needed before the next season.