Lightning.

Being near or in water during a thunder and lightning storm is not a good thing. I will spare you any of the gory statistics on deaths due to lightning strikes as I think most people know that it is not good to expose yourself to the opportunity of being struck by lightning. Simply do not row if you hear thunder or see lightning. And you should wait 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before entering the water.

Get in the habit of checking the weather prior to any row. The New Hope Weather link is: http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/local/18938 .

If there is the possibility of a storm coming through, then be on the look out for the storms either by sight of clouds or sound of the thunder or change in temperature, humidity or wind. If it appears safe to row but there is a possibility of storms, then stay near the landing. You may want to judge how far you should row by knowing if you could get back to the landing and out of the boat in 5 minutes. For most experienced, strong team boats that would mean not rowing but a couple hundred meters above the free bridge.

If by chance you are far from the landing and a storm comes in, row to the nearest shore, get out of the boat and get a way from the water and to shelter if you can. Just ground the boat on shore if you can and don’t worry about damage–we love you more then our boats. Or leave the boat in the water. If there is not an enclosed safe shelter near, just get away from the river and tall trees. You should squat low but minimize contact with ground and keep both feet together.

If you are at the site and do not have a car to get to, then go in the rest room(s). Seriously, you could be struck standing just next to a building. Being inside an enclosed building is the safest place to be during a storm.

Below is a link to a NOAA information page on lightning safety.

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/overview.htm

[Note: Board members, please let me know if any of this material needs revision]