SARA EGM: At today's EGM there was, as intended, a lengthy debate around a number of issues relating to buoyancy, in particular regarding the final sentence of the existing code which relates to the buoyancy requirements for older boats.
After some discussion, the meeting agreed in principle with the existing Water Safety Code and voted unanimously to retain the first two sentences of the existing code but to amend the final sentence.
The Water Safety Code will therefore be updated from Monday 1st January 2007 to read:
"Boats constructed or delivered after 1st January 2007 shall meet the FISA Guidelines for Minimum Flotation:A boat when full of water with a crew of average weight equal to the design weight stated on the boat's production plaque, seating in the rowing position, should float such that the top of the seat is a maximum
of 5cm below the static waterline.Clubs shall take reasonable measures to ensure all other shells shall have similar buoyancy."
From an umpiring perspective, this has implications when acting on Control Commission duties. The SARA Umpires' Commission issued the following guidelines in May 2006, which were unanimously endorsed by the meeting. "It will no longer be acceptable to have the space below the seats completely open - umpires will look to see that some attempt has been made to achieve additional buoyancy e.g. compartmentalisation or securely fitted buoyancy bags".
For clubs who have not yet retrofitted their shells, advice is available from a number of clubs and companies - contact the Executive for further information.
N.B. Clubs should note that the Water Safety Code applies to racing AND training. Any boats which do not comply with the buoyancy requirements should not be used until they have been retrofitted.
28 December
SARA EGM: Reminder to all clubs that an EGM has been called by the SARA Executive on Saturday 30th December at 11.30am in the National Rowing Academy at Strathclyde Park. Details of the meeting are on the EGM notice (the resolution put forward by the Executive relates to the buoyancy requirements agreed by the March 2005 half-yearly meeting).
20 December
Youth Olympic Festival: Congratulations to Stephanie McDowall of Aberdeen University who has been named in the GB team heading to Australia in January. Steph will be competeing in the pair, eight and quad at the festival - further information on the BIRO website.
Scottish Indoor Rowing Championships: The poster and entry form for the 2007 event, which is being held at the Time Capsule, Coatbridge, are now on-line. This year, the indoor championships will incorporate the Scottish Universities Indoor Rowing Championships as well as senior and junior team events. The closing date for entries is Friday 27th January.
16 December
Clydesdale Boat Launch: Clydesdale ARC are this Sunday launching a new four purchased with funds from BBC Children in Need and club funds. The new boat will be named 'Ronaldsay' and will be dedicated to the late Jimmy McGhie, a life member of CARC who worked tirelessly for the club for many years. A regatta is being held (weather permitting!) to mark the launch and competition is expected to be fierce as members of the club compete on the water and in mince pie consumption. All are welcome to attend the launch event and members of the club will be on hand if anyone is interested in finding out more about rowing or supporting the club. Activity starts at 10.30am on Sunday 17th December for the boat launching ceremony at 11am.
Photograph: Greig Street Bridge in Inverness with the Old High Church steeple as a backdrop with the River Ness in spate. Photo courtesy of Roy Sinclair.
15 December
SARA EGM, Saturday 30 December: An EGM is being held on 30th December. The notice of the meeting is now available detailing the resolution put forward by the SARA executive; for additional information, the extract from the minutes of the half-yearly meeting, March 2005, which the current resolution refers to is also available.
GB Talent ID Scheme Scotland: It has just been confirmed from GB Rowing that Clydesdale ARC will be appointed at the host club for the new Talent ID programme. The appointment follows an evaluation of both Clydesdale and Glasgow Rowing Clubs carried out by representatives of GB Rowing during a recent visit to Glasgow.
GB Rowing has also confirmed that Ross Malone has been appointed as the new talent ID coach. Ross was one of four people interviewed for the position by the ARA in London. The project will start in January and will be administered through the GB rowing office. The aim of the project is to test young people in over 55 schools around the Glasgow area and then fast track the successful rowers into the GB squad system.
Statement from the SARA Executive regarding rowing and the 2014 Commonwealth Games bid: "A decision made by the international Commonwealth Games Federation this autumn has placed a cap on the number of sports that can be staged within a single Games (17) and ranked the variety of sports available at the Commonwealth Games into three groupings:
Mandatory Sports
Optional Sports (to be decided on by host committees as they make their bids)
Sports that may be included but only after international development.
Rowing was placed in the third of these groups, meaning that regardless of the efforts of SARA, the Glasgow 2014 Bid team and the availability of a world-class facility in Strathclyde Park, it is now highly unlikely that the Glasgow Bid will include rowing.
Apart from the loss of a major performance target for our athletes, this decision will have a significant effect on SARA's future funding position. (We could have expected a higher level of funding and support than at present if rowing was included in a successful Glasgow bid.)
Disappointed as we are (and we are still exploring options), SARA remain keen, active supporters of the Glasgow Commonwealth Bid. SARA will also continue to make representations to FISA and the ARA (as the international representatives of British rowing) to have rowing developed, particularly in Commonwealth nations, in the hope that these efforts can promote the sport out of category three when future games are being decided."
11 December
Aberdeen Christmas Eights: Near perfect conditions on Saturday 9th December on the River Dee saw the annual Christmas Eights. Four scratch eights took part, composed of a selection of members of most of the clubs in Aberdeen, leading to a three boat final. Flat conditions, brilliant sunshine all added to the fun and games, and at the end, Santa's Little Helpers managed to win through for a good start to the festive season.
6 December
Glasgow Fours Head cancelled: The weather strikes again! Committee members of Glasgow Rowing Club met at lunchtime today to assess the state of the Clyde and, with the forecast for more rain overnight and into Thursday, have made the decision to cancel their Head of the River Race which had been re-scheduled for this Saturday 9th December.
Events and Results: The events and results page has now been updated with the 2007 events.
5 December
International Rowing Page: The International Rowing page has been updated to include further information from the Performance Planning Group, information on trials and assessments, minutes of the Performance Planning Group meetings and group contacts.
Athletes and coaches are reminded that those who wish to be involved in HIR 2007 must register by the 9th December (registration form on the International Rowing Page). All athletes must also submit an ergo test by the 9th December.
1 December
Stirling Head Cancelled: Stirling Rowing Club have advised that the Stirling Rowing Club Head of the River Race, due to take place tomorrow, is cancelled due to exceptionally high tides.
Glasgow Fours Head: Hopefully second time lucky, entries for the Glasgow RC (Rescheduled) Fours Head of the River 2006 close this Sunday at 5pm (please note that entries for the original date will NOT be automatically carried over). Glasgow RC have noted that they will be making the final decision on Wednesday 6 December. As before, all the information (includng weather forecasts) is available on the GRC website.
Singles for Sales: There are several new boats for sale on the Sales and Wants page.
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Clydesdale Boat Launch: Clydesdale ARC are this Sunday launching a new four purchased with funds from BBC Children in Need and club funds. The new boat will be named 'Ronaldsay' and will be dedicated to the late Jimmy McGhie, a life member of CARC who worked tirelessly for the club for many years. A regatta is being held (weather permitting!) to mark the launch and competition is expected to be fierce as members of the club compete on the water and in mince pie consumption. All are welcome to attend the launch event and members of the club will be on hand if anyone is interested in finding out more about rowing or supporting the club. Activity starts at 10.30am on Sunday 17th December for the boat launching ceremony at 11am.
