Lansing Oar and Paddle Club

Rowing Program Membership. All person who are rowers and have paid the fees for rowing are members of the LOAPC Rowing Program.

Steering Committee. The Rowing Program will be operated by an eight member Steering Committee. The Committee will develop policies, plan and be responsible for rowing activities.

Membership. The Robert Ryden Boathouse is the home of the Rowing Program. It is in Grand River Park of the City of Lansing. LOAPC has a lease with the City and the contact is with the Lansing Department of Parks and Recreation. As a public facility, any person may apply for membership in the Rowing Program. They must however comply with the policies of the Rowing Program contained in this manual.

Fees. All persons in the Rowing Program must pay fees as determined by the Steering Committee and the members of the Rowing Program. Each year the Steering Committee will recommend to the membership an annual fee schedule. The fees shall be set at a level that makes rowing affordable and that covers the costs of operating the Rowing Program. The fees will consist of 1) an annual base fee paid by all members for the use of the boathouse and equipment; 2) an annual fee for a rack in the boathouse for privately owned boats; 3) an annual fee for a key to the boathouse; 4) a fee for participation in the Novice Program; 5) a fee for those persons in the Novice Program to continue as members; 6) an adjustable fee for persons who become members late in the season.

Key Policy. The fee for a key to the boathouse is an annual fee for the privilege of having access to the boathouse and equipment. Requests for keys must approved by the Steering Committee. The criteria for having a key concern safety of the rower and proper use of equipment. To obtain a key a person must demonstrate that they can handle boats and oars without damaging them, and be safe on the water. A person with a key may not give the key to another who is not approved for a key.

Guest Rowers. Members are encouraged to invite others to try rowing to see if they wish to become a member. The Club is also hospitable to rowers from outside the greater Lansing area who are visiting town and wish to row. The Club also supports rowers from other rowing programs training with rowers from our program.

Under normal circumstances, two or three free guest rows is appropriate as an introduction to the club and rowing. Any additional or regular rowing must be approved by the Steering Committee. If a guest wishes to continue rowing they must pay the appropriate club fee for the duration of the rowing season. If one is acting as host for a guest rower for regatta training, the host must inform the Steering Committee and obtain approval. Club members are encouraged to compete under the LOAPC name, and the Steering Committee will exercise flexibility in such situations. If, however, such guest training for competition is regular, then the Steering Committee may elect to levy a fee consistent with the duration and frequency.

The boathouse is named after Robert Ryden a founding member of LOAPC. Bob died in 1992 and left a trust for the development of rowing on the Grand River. The Ryden Boathouse houses club owned boats and oars and private boats and oars. In addition there are tools and other equipment and materials. Because of the value of this equipment, security and safety concerns are paramount.

Boathouse security is the responsibility of everyone who has access. The boathouse is equipped with a locking front door, and two large bay doors for the movement of boats. The front door must be locked with a key when the boathouse is left unattended for any period of time.

The bay doors have a series of chains and pins to secure them. It may seen like an excess of security, but it was designed to prevent repeats of previous break-ins. When rowing, a majority of the locking mechanisms should be used. When leaving the boathouse with no one else present ALL of the locking mechanisms should be in place.

In general, everyone should leave the boathouse in either the same condition in which it was found, or in better condition. Equipment should be stowed in its proper locations after use, and treated according to instructions discussed elsewhere.

Aside from the boathouse itself, club owned boats, oars, and other equipment are our greatest single investment, and everyone benefits from their proper maintenance. The more boats we have, and the longer they are properly maintained, the greater the number of members who can enjoy their use. Minimally, the following procedures should be followed when removing, using, and returning boats to the boathouse:

Privately Owned Equipment. Some club members own their own boats, oars, and other equipment, which may be stored in the Ryden Boathouse. In the spring of each year, when club dues are payable, boat owners who store equipment pay a fee for rack space. Most privately owned boats are stored at the left front end of the boathouse, with the bows facing in house. Privately owned oars are in the last rack of oars, toward the rear of the boathouse, and normally are not painted in LOAPC solid light blue. Privately owned equipment is not for general use of club members. It may be used only with express permission of the owner. If you are uncertain whether equipment is club owned or privately owned, please ask.

The Rowing Log. The Ryden Boathouse contains a rowing logbook which is essential for safety and the continuation of our insurance coverage. All rowers are required to log in and log out if they are taking a boat on the water. It is preferable, for safety reasons, to log in before you go on the water! Please complete all essential information in the log, which includes: your name, initials, or call sign, the date on which you are rowing, the type of boat you are rowing, your time out, and the time you return, and the route you are rowing. Please remember to log out with your time so that we know you are off the water!

Getting on the Water. Make certain that you have been properly instructed in safe procedures for removing and returning boats to racks, both to prevent personal injury and damage to the equipment. If you cannot remove and return boats by yourself, you should always seek the assistance of someone else.

Before removing boats from their racks make certain the boathouse doors are open enough that they will not foul the boat on removal. Also, make certain that you have put slings outside the boathouse on which to place the boat!

When removing and returning boats to their appropriate location, make certain that you do not bump, crash into, or otherwise scrape or damage equipment above and below the boat you are accessing.

When placing the boat in its slings, be certain not to place the skeg on the sling.

Any equipment or materials you will need in the boat should be moved to the dock BEFORE bringing the boat from the slings to the water. Oars, water bottles, lights, etc. should be on the dock when the boat arrives. When carrying oars, do not carry them over your shoulder. You should be able to see both ends of your oars!

Before carrying the boat to the dock, open the oarlock gates, close all hull vents, and if possible adjust the foot stretchers to your position. Check to see that all nuts and bolts are tightened, and that there is no damage that would be a problem on the water.

If you see damage to a boat, replace it in its rack, and notify a member of the Steering Committee.

Before carrying the boat to the dock, if you are the only person present lock the boathouse. Also, make certain there is room at the dock to put the boat in the water.

When putting the boat in the water be sure that you are not going to hit another boat when placing it on the water, that you are not placing the boat on the dock itself and that the skeg does not hit the dock. If a wake is present hold the boat away from the dock so it is not bumped, and if a wind or strong current is present do not let the boat drift away from the dock.

Returning to the Boathouse. Reverse the above procedures when returning equipment. However, please remember the following:

All boats must be wiped down completely before being returned to the storage racks. Use the rags in the tubs, and put wet or dirty rags in dirty rag bin. Wipe down hull, cockpit, and seat slides. Please make sure the boat is dry before returning it to a rack.

Return lights, oars, etc. to their proper locations. If oars are dirty, dip them in the river, and wipe if necessary.

All boats are stored with their bow facing the boathouse entrance, except for the privately owned boats on the left of the boathouse near the door.

Before leaving, check the dock and the exterior of the boathouse for equipment, close and lock the sliding bay doors, log out, turn the lights off, and key lock the access door. Check to make certain the door is locked.

Laundry. Yes, the Ryden Boathouse generates dirty laundry! Furthermore, it is everyone's responsibility to make certain that the laundry gets done. The most notable item of laundry is, of course, wiping rags. If you see that a) there are few clean rags left, and b) that there are lots of dirty rags in the bin, please take them home with you and wash them. If everyone does this on a periodic basis the task will not fall to only one or two individuals, and there will always be enough clean rags with which to wipe down boats and other equipment.

In the interests of personal safety, the following should be considered minimal guidelines for safe rowing:

Always log in before going on the water, with your name, type of boat, and log in time. If possible give your prospective route. This will allow us to monitor who is out, and whether they might be encountering difficulty.

Never take a boat out alone if it is beyond your skill level. When trying a new level of boat make sure you are accompanied by a launch or an experienced rower in a second boat.

Check regularly for floating debris, other water craft, or downed trees near the shore.

When rowing in the dark or in low visibility conditions, always use a bow light, and a flashing red light.

During dawn and dusk hours, when lighting may be poor or homogeneous always use high visibility outerwear such as International Orange, white, or luminescent green.

During cool or wet conditions, dress appropriately for the weather. It may be necessary to wear pogies to keep your hands from losing feeling on the oar handles. During warm summer conditions use a hat, and bring water to avoid heat exhaustion or sun stroke.

If conditions are poor, or potentially dangerous such as early season and late season or winter rowing, use a buddy system. Do not row alone.

Do not tie your feet tightly into the stretcher shoes. If the boat overturns you might have difficulty extricating yourself!

Always observe the appropriate direction of travel on the river - counter-clockwise. Keep the shore close to your left. It is best to stay out of the middle; leave that for power boats and the Michigan Princes. The river has turns, so to stay on course you have to keep an eye on the shore and move to the left when the shore is getting further and move right when the shore is getting closer.

The most commonly used circuit is upstream to the Waverly Road Bridge and downstream to the Logan/MLK Drive bridge. Beyond the Logan/MLK bridge are cooling towers and a dam, both of which should be avoided. Upstream of Waverly Road Bridge there are numerous shallows and hidden obstacles. Unless you have been familiarized with the safe route in this areas it is best to avoid it.

While unpowered boats, such as rowing shells, legally have the right of way over powered motor craft, NEVER assume that power boats will yield right of way, nor that they will provide ample passing distances. The best strategy is awareness and avoidance. Avoid the ski jump when it is in use, avoid the ski slalom course when it is in use, avoid the river boat when it is in use, and when possible yield right of way to passing motorboats. Be aware of wakes from boats and jet skis traveling at high speeds. Be cautious in the vicinity of the boat launch.

LOAPC shares the Grand River with other rowing groups, MSU Crew Club and the MSU Women's Crew. While these groups use unpowered boats, the boats they use are larger, less maneuverable, faster, and with less forward vision. There are also at times many of them, and they may occupy a large part of the river. They are usually accompanied by coaching launches. The launch driver may be focused on the boat she is coaching and may not see a single scull. Again, awareness and avoidance are the best policies.

While rowing shells are technically exempt from the use of Personal Flotation Devices, vests are available in the boathouse for use, and can be placed in the boat with you. If you do not use a PFD or bring a vest, it is good policy to review and practice procedures for righting a capsized boat, and getting back into a boat. The procedures for this will be demonstrated from time to time, and it is a good idea to practice this when someone is around to help. Late fall, winter, and early spring are not the times to practice this or to have to do it. .

If you have to make a choice about saving yourself, or saving a boat, save yourself!

When rowing at night make certain to use a bow light and flashing red light on the back of your shirt or cap.

When rowing during early morning or twilight hours be certain to wear visible clothing, either white, International Orange, or luminescent green are best in these situations. It is near impossible to see a single or double scull when the rowers are wearing gray, blue, dark green and other colors that blend into the background or water and trees.

For reasons, both avoidable and unavoidable, boats or other equipment may get damaged and require repair. The Rowing Program carries equipment insurance for such eventualities.

If damage is minor, and something that can be undertaken by qualified club members at the boathouse or locally, the costs for repair may be minimal. If you do not know how to repair boats do not attempt to do this on your own! Notify a member of the Steering Committee.

When damage is more major, the rower(s) responsible for the damage will be responsible for the first $5000.00 of repair costs, which is the deductible on our club insurance policy.

All rowers, no matter how good they are, or think they are, need coaching. It is not easy to row so well that you can't be helped by a coach. Coaching is provided in Open Rowing, the Novice Program and by arrangement between individuals.

Open Rowing. Open Rowing are times of the week when someone who is an experienced rower volunteers to open the boathouse, help rowers with boats and coach anyone who would like it. For the past few years Open Rowing has been on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 pm and Saturdays from 8:30 to 10:00. This is the pattern for Spring and Fall. Persons with no rowing experience may "try out" rowing at these Open Rowing sessions, and if they wish to continue, they pay fees and be coached at these sessions. In the Summer coaching for intermediate and advanced rowing has been provided on Monday and Wednesday evenings. As membership increase, and hence revenue, it is hoped that we can pay a coach to hold Open Rowing Monday - Thursday in the evening and on Saturday mornings.

NOVICE PROGRAM. Every Summer a learn to row program is schedule for eight weeks beginning in June and running to the end of July/early August. The fee for this is modest. Those who complete the Novice Program and wish to continue for the balance of the season may do so for an additional fee. This program introduces beginners to sweep rowing in 8's and 4's and to sculling.

INDIVIDUAL ARRANGEMENTS. Members of the program may wish to have coaching that is more individualized and/or at time other than scheduled Open Rowing. Persons who wish such coaching and persons willing to do such coaching should post a note in the boathouse.

The line between a recreational rower and a competitive rower is rather wavy. Bob Ryden advocated T-shirts with "Recreational Rower" on the back and "Wanna Race?" on the front.

Club Travel to Regattas. There are many regional regattas, e.g. in Grand Rapids, Detroit and Toledo. The LOAPC Rowing Program frequently plans and organizes trips to these regattas. Normally, when a group of LOAPC rowers is traveling to a regatta provisions will be made for boat transportation by the club, either with the LOAPC boat trailer, through the MSU Rowing Club, or the MSU Women's Crew. Some boats will be transported on the cars of individuals. Most regattas charge entry fees, individuals who compete must pay these fees; they are not included in the membership fees nor in the Novice Program fee.

INDIVIDUAL TRAVEL TO REGATTAS. Many members of the rowing group enjoy competing in regattas, both local and distant. It is often the case that one or more members will want to travel with club owned boats to these events.

Permission must be obtained from the Steering Committee before removing equipment from the boathouse and traveling with it. This can be undertaken by a paid up club member requesting permission either verbally or in a note, with sufficient lead time for the Steering Committee to convene and come to a decision. While in most cases any reasonable such request by a member will be honored, depending on circumstances such as potentially competing boat use, equipment repair, or inadequate training in boat transport, it is possible that some requests may be denied.

It is the responsibility of the person borrowing the boat to make certain that they are properly trained in boat rigging and unrigging, procedures for attaching boat carriers to vehicles, and boat and rigging maintenance. The borrower is also responsible for repair of any damage incurred by the boat while in their care. It is the responsibility of the Steering Committee to make certain anyone to whom they loan a boat is familiar with transportation procedures.

Normally, requests to take a boat for any purpose other than a regatta will not be approved.