Rowing

Introduction

Rowing at Seafarers Sailing Club began in January 2024 when, at a specially convened General Meeting, the membership overwhelmingly approved a proposal to purchase a Bursledon Gig.

It was anticipated that rowing would become as popular at Seafarers as it had at other local clubs. Working alongside the Club's sailing programme, rowing should encourage new people to join the Club. It would also provide an extra social and on-water activity for existing members including those who did not sail, and those considering retiring from sailing.

The Club's new Bursledon Gig was delivered from the manufacturer in April 2024.

Benefits

Benefits of rowing include:

• It is very sociable.
• It is good for health and wellbeing.
• It requires less boats per participant than dinghy sailing.
• It requires less training and special clothing/equipment than sailing.
• It is not dependent on the wind.
• It can take place all year round.
• It does not require a planned timetable or duty crews.

Competition and Inter-Club Activities

Whilst it can be fun to row up and down the shoreline, it can also be fun to row to the café at Stokes Bay or to Solent Breezes or Warsash. There could be relaxed rows, timed rows around markers, or local races against Hillhead Sailing Club .

As a newly formed rowing group, Seafarers would be invited to take part in the many events organised by other rowing clubs in the area. These include Tudor Sailing Club in Langstone Harbour and Hamble River Rowers.

There are other rowing events that Seafarers could take part in including the Cockleshell Challenge from Eastney to Horse Sand Fort, the Great River Race on the River Thames, the Round Hayling Race, and the Head of the Ouse Race from Newhaven to Lewes.

Administration

The rowing section will be part of the Seafarers family. People who join the club specifically to row will pay the same membership fees and carry out the same duties.

Administration of rowing activities will be the responsibility of the Rowing Coordinator.

Whenever rowing takes place, it will be under the supervision of at least one of the Club's Rowing Monitors. Monitors will have completed a basic course in rowing to make them competent to supervise the activity at Seafarers.

All rowing at Seafarers will be carried out in accordance with the SSC Rowers Handbook (click here or use the menu to the right (if a smartphone user, select "More" )

Communication

Every outing of the Gig will be accompanied by at least one Monitor. Due to the nature and location of Seafarers Sailing Club, it will not usually be practical to programme rowing in advance. Therefore, like Hamble RRC, a WhatsApp group will be formed which those interested in rowing may join. This will enable Monitors and rowers to coordinate ad hoc sessions.

Those interested in joining the WhatsApp Rowing Group, should contact John Hamon, the Seafarers Rowing Coordinator.

Last updated 10:08 on 24 April 2024