What better way to bring club members (and clubs) together than raising money for a good cause?
The aim of this challenge is to raise £5k for a nominated charity by completing a sponsored row.
The crews get a great deal of satisfaction from completing an epic row and help a good cause, and your club can get lots of valuable publicity.
On the Thames we see lots of crews and individuals raising money by rowing. I'm sure there are many clubs out there who can advise on suitable routes throughout the country.
A few tips:
Logistics - these can be quite a challenge....plan everything well in advance.
Navigation & Locks - On any busy rivers with locks it is advisable to plan your event for the spring or autumn ...when the boat traffic has reduced. Getting through the locks during the summer months can add many hours to the trip!
Be aware the lock keepers have lunch breaks....so plan for someone to operate them for you when they are away. Also know when the lock close (it varies throughout the year), and do check they are all operational. On the Thames be sure to let the EA know your plans.
Row downstream.....a 2km flow will give you a 4km/hour advantage!
Boats - larger boats are faster, easy to keep together and more forgiving. Eights, Octuples and coxed quads are favourite....if someone has to drop out you can keep going! On the Thames it is possible to get two eights into all the locks from Oxford downstream....much easier than a flotilla of singles!
Emergency stops - Have planned stops along the way for comfort breaks, refueling, repairs and if necessary abandoning the row. These need to have suitable landing stages so rowing clubs are the obvious venues.
Coxing - it's best to use coxed boats especially on unfamiliar reaches. Have fully brief experienced coxes with mobile phones, throw line, tool kits, first aid, route plan and lock phone numbers....and most importantly a cushion!
Risk assessments - these are essential.... to ensure you have everything covered. For an example see http://www.wateraid.org/documents/risk_assessment_rbs_sponsored_row.doc This covers a GGBC sponsored row from Oxford to Pangbourne but it could easily be adapted for other routes. Be prepared to cancel if conditions are unsuitable.....
Crews - To raise lots of money gets a large number of participants involved rather than attempt a marathon distance. Larger boats are more forgiving and so less experienced rowers can complete the row. A single day row is much easier to orgnaise!
Some example sponsored rows completed by GGBC members:
2007 - Oxford to Pangbourne ~50Km - see http://www.goringgapbc.org.uk/Sponsored%20Row%202007.htm - £4k raised for WaterAid
2009 - Wallingford to Pangbourne ~15Km - see http://www.goringgapbc.org.uk/Sponsored_Row_2009.htm - £4.5K raised for Lymphoma Association
2010 - Lechlade to Putney ~long way! - see http://rowthethames.blogspot.com/ - £10800 raised for Guillain Barre Syndrome
If you would like some advice on orgnaising an event on the upper Thames please feel free to contact Goring Gap BC - www.goringgapbc.org.uk
