Our booking system serves a number of purposes:

  1. Skiff availability. It shows when the skiffs have been booked and by which skipper. The skipper’s name must always appear in the title of the session (except open club nights).
  2. Type of session. Sessions should state clearly what kind of session is planned, e.g. level of experience required, open to members or non-members, social row, training session.
  3. Openness and transparency
    • Sessions should normally be open to all members
    • There are occasions when it is necessary or desirable to make a session closed, for example:
      • A crew training for an event. In the title enter: crew training session.
      • Visitors from other clubs / friends & family. If a skipper is willing and able he/she should set up a session and either open up additional spaces to all members or enlist the help of specific club members.
      • Fundraising events. We have helped an artist and rock band with river based activities in return for a fee. Such proposals are assessed by the committee.  Club members are always made aware and invited to participate if practical.

In all cases each crew member must be registered by name. This is important both for openness and transparency but also for safety: in the event of an incident it is important to have a record of who is in charge and who is in the skiff(s).

Skippers are requested not book on another skipper’s session. Much better to set up a parallel session and get another skiff on the water. If a session is underscribed then contact the skipper and offer to make up the numbers.

Remember that as a skipper you are guaranteed a row as you can nominate a crew member to cox.  In fact skippers are encouraged to give crew members experience on the tiller in order to acquire boat handling skills.

Rules for Organising Rowing Sessions

  • Enter the session on Spond (how to create event on Spond)
  • Invite all club members
  • Put the name of the Skipper and type of session in the event title
  • Describe the session:
    • Who is eligible: members, non-members, closed crew training session
    • Suitability: novice, experienced, open to all, not suitable for …
    • Type: training, endurance, social
    • Duration
  • Check the weather forecast to decide whether it is safe to row
  • Check sunset time: do not depart the pontoon within 2 hours of sunset
  • Check the state of the tide
  • Check the boat equipment before setting out
  • Report any damage or missing items to the Maintenance Group on Spond

Taster Sessions for non-members

  • From the website people can register for a taster session.
  • They are placed in a subgroup called “Trial Members’.
  • Set up a session as above but with only two spaces for members.
  • Set up a parallel session with two spaces for trialists and invite all trialists
  • Monitor bookings and if not enough trialists sign up, reduce the number of places and increase the number for members’ event.

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