Swan Creek periodically offers clinics where non-members and new members may learn about the club, safety, procedures, and rowing. The clinic dates are advertised in the local newspapers and on the club’s website. Upon completion of the clinic you must pass the club’s Basic Skills checklist.
After passing the Basic Skill checklist, you may row on your own at any time during the club’s normal rowing season during daylight hours as weather and river conditions permit.
First do not leave the boat. Currents are fast and deceptive, even for experienced swimmers. Second, do not over-exert yourself, especially in cold water. Exhaustion is a leading cause of more serious unpleasantness.
Third, head for the nearest land where you can upright the boat or head for any boat that is lending assistance. For more information, review the safety document in the binder in the desk on the island and attend the annual SCRC Safety Clinic.
First, use common sense. If it looks too dangerous to row (current too fast, too windy, high waves, too foggy, too cold, water temperature less than 50 air less than 32°), do not row. SCRC uses a flag system to warn rowers of hazardous rowing conditions.
- When necessary a flag will be posted at the boat storage site.
- No member may remove or change a flag without authorization from a board member. The only exception is that a member may upgrade from no flag to yellow or from yellow to red if he or she believes there is a significant risk to rowers. The member must then enter the change in the site’s log book and immediately notify the board.
- Red Flag indicates dangerous conditions. Nobody rows.
- Yellow Flag indicates caution is needed. Novicesmay not row. Others should use great care and proceed directly upstream above the free bridge. Only return below the free bridge to land. Do not go below the sewer plant wall when approaching the landing area.
- Blue Flag indicates cold water. Novices may not row, and experienced rowers row at your own risk. Singles should not go out alone.
- Fish Flag means shad fishing is in progress, be alert to avoid the fishing nets around and upstream of Lewis Island.
SCRC attends several regattas throughout the year as a club. You are welcomed and encouraged to row with the club. When rowing at a club-attended regatta, you may sign up to use equipment with the Regatta Coordinator. Equipment is reserved on a first come-first-served basis. Equipment is limited for regatta use depending on the expected needs of the general membership. For a list of club-attended regattas, see the Club Calendar.
If you want to row at a regatta that SCRC is not attending, you must complete a Regatta Equipment Checkout form and receiving approval from the Boat Captain.