Winter League Leg 1 information

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Please forward this to any relevant captains, coxes and coaches in your club.

Given the current conditions, a group of experienced coxes, coaches, and professional river users have agreed that the race will go ahead . However, the river is currently lapping over the edge of the hard, and with low temperatures expected this evening, conditions may become icy. Please keep checking the WhatsApp group for the most up-to-date information. 

 

WhatsApp group for WL announcements: https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7TkJu1tgdaJFZQTQlJ5al 

 

The draft draw is available here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dvDdq8K3gtaV1N2jQB-mduDHa-hvbkjaXBk-f9w1kjA/edit?usp=sharing 

 

Notes to competitors, safety and risk assessments are available here: https://sites.google.com/view/crawinterleague/competitor-information 

 

Some specific points of safety, details below:

• Be cautious when boating from the hard, as the river will be extremely busy 
• Avoid both locks (Jesus and Baitsbite) 
• Crews must listen to the marshals instructions
• There are no race facilities at the course. All are welcome at Cambridge 99s boathouse for heating/hot drinks/bathrooms
• Crews must make their own assessment of the conditions and may choose to withdraw without penalty and for a full refund if they do not feel their crew/cox/equipment can safely boat in the conditions

 

Boating safety on the hard

There will be additional hazards when getting boats in and out of the water due to the high river level. Crews should aim to help other crews wherever possible, for both safety and efficiency. Please carefully evaluate your crew’s competency to do this, particularly for junior or novice crews. Ask yourselves: can the crew safely get the boat in and out of the water in these conditions?

 

Weather 

The forecast for tomorrow is wet and cold. Ensure crews are appropriately dressed for the conditions, particularly for periods of standing still while marshalling. Rainy Cold January racing is not the time for a unisuit.

To reduce the amount of time crews spend marshalling, there will be a strict cut-off time. Crews must be past Green Dragon Bridge 20 minutes before their race start. Any crews missing the cut-off will be turned around and will not race in that division. Please ensure crews set off promptly.

Event facilities

As this is a local race, no facilities are available on the race course. All rowers, especially visiting crews and locals without a clubroom, are welcome at Cambridge 99s on Kimberley Rd where toilets, heating, hot showers and hot drinks will be available.

 

No boating is allowed at Stourbridge Common or Ditton Meadow. Visiting crews who have not already arranged to boat from a Cambridge boathouse should email winter...@crarowing.co.uk to make arrangements. Some trailer parking is available on Aylestone Rd. There are no parking restrictions on a Sunday, however space for trailers can be limited. 

 

Responsibility for safety

• You should make your own assessment of the conditions, taking into account the experience of their cox and crew, and may choose to withdraw for safety reasons.
• Junior coaches are reminded that all junior boats are expected to have their own bank party on cycle with appropriate safety equipment including a throw line.
• Visiting crews, if you are unfamiliar with the Cam, please discuss the current conditions with a local rower, or feel free to email winter...@crarowing.co.uk with questions.

 

Best, 

The Winter League Organisers