As the clocks go back and the hours of daylight shorten the club has made some changes to the timetables for members using indoor training facilities as well as to on-water schedules, so as to accommodate as many members as possible within Covid-19 guidelines.
Eights can now return to use and on Saturday, October 24th, thanks to much effort behind the scenes, the J17 girls were able to become the first eight to take to the water in over 7 months, appropriately in Winterbrook.
Fours, quads and smaller crew boats were allowed to return in August in line with British Rowing guidance.
By adopting staggered start and finish times more groups can go afloat subject to there being no more than 12 people together at any one time. Extra space is being made available in the car park to put boats on trestles, and members have been asked to park elsewhere.
Members should continue to use the Google Sheets system to book time slots in the schedule for water sessions and use of the gym or hall for indoor training.
The autumn head racing calendar has been affected severely by Covid restrictions as well as other factors, causing many competitions to be cancelled or curtailed. A much reduced Pairs Head on the Tideway became the first British Rowing affiliated competition following the return to racing on October 10th, although entry numbers were much reduced and the course was shortened because of the closure of Hammersmith Bridge pending repairs. The Northern Long Distance Sculling Series and York Small Boats Head (November 15th) will not take place.
Durham ARC has arranged an event over the long course for club members on November 7th in place of the cancelled Autumn Small Boats Head. Members have been invited to submit crews via Google Sheets by October 28th.
The Veteran Fours Head (November 21st) and Fours Head (November 22nd) on the Tideway have both announced reduced entry numbers and will be accepting entries only from the immediate area, with the race again being contested over a shorter distance than usual.
Following the successful Tyne Single Scullers Head test event on September 20th organised by Newcastle University Boat Club, and a private match organised by Tyne ARC on October 10th a statement was issued by Tyne ARC on October 24th regarding plans for Rutherford Head, due to be raced on the River Tyne on November 28th. Preparations are being made for reduced numbers with entries restricted to fours and quads rather than the usual eights. Entries are expected to open on November 6th.
Future competitions will of course be subject to any changes to restrictions that may be imposed by government.