Berkeley Paddling and Rowing Club

Notes on Club Procedures and Facilities

Equipment

• Blue and white stripe indicates club-owned equipment; others are privately owned
• Boats are marked with a single letter. Be sure to record that in the log
• Experienced rowers should check the weight chart for which boat to use
• New rowers should use the Aero or one of the Maas 24s
• Before using the double, get checked out by one of the captains

Facilities

• Weight room equipment is available. Ask a member to show you how to use it and use it at your own risk
• Restrooms with showers are available

Moving Boats

Always stay to the right on the water, as a courtesy to your fellow club members

• If you are at all uncertain, use two people
• Leave the socks on the oarlocks until outside
• Watch light fixtures and other equipment
• If carrying light boats, beware of windy days: hold on tight
• Set boats on slings to remove socks and adjust feet; check porthole cover and cork
• Be sure skeg isn’t set on a sling (outside) or support (inside)
• When setting boat in the water, do not catch upper lip on any part of the dock or put weight on the boat in this position

The Lagoon

• Watch for these obstacles: old "pump house", ski jump, north dock, promontory near the flagpole, and the island
• The lagoon is shallow at the north end, so stay clear of the shore
• Row on the east side going North and on the west side going South. The ski jump is a good marker to divide the traffic (see diagram at right).
• Nose of the boat should align with the radio tower going North and the green freeway sign going South; this will basically keep you straight in the lagoon
• Watch for other boat traffic at all times
• Seasonal obstacles: Weed growth makes rowing hazardous in June or July; when waterskiers are present, row on the north half of the lagoon only

Wind Pattern

• Wind is usually from the SW - launch and dock accordingly
• If you leave a boat at the dock, be sure it is on the side of the dock not to blow away

Safety

• Leave nothing of value in cars
• Leave nothing on the dock but shoes
• The hose can be left outside while you row
• Always lock the boathouse when rowing
• Use common sense around strangers

Cleaning of Boats and Oars

• Wash thoroughly on slings
• Dry thoroughly
• Return boat to its proper place and orientation in the boathouse
• Hang wet towels up to dry - don’t leave them outside

Last Person

• Check to see that lights are off, including the two in the gym
• Be sure everything (but the slings) is inside and properly stored
• Put heavy board across barn doors
• Check to see that bathrooms are locked
• Lock the main door

Please make this YOUR club. Join in the workdays and social events that happen every year!

Instructions for Use of the Club Dolly

Move the boat on the trolley to the front of the boathouse, so that it's (the trolley) right up to the door threshold. Remove the socks and check the feet and other settings so the boat is ready to go in the water (backwards is important--the way you want to set it in the water). Set the dolly up on its legs right next to the end of the boat that is projecting beyond the doors. Carefully lift that end of the boat onto the dolly, being sure that the other end swivels on the trolley. The dolly should be about 4-5' feet from the end of the boat. Strap the end down, fold up the legs, and lift the other end of the boat. Now you are ready to "drive" it down the ramp. Think about the dolly as the "other person."

Coming out of the water: Dock on the west side of the dock coming in backwards. Set the dolly on its legs about 6' from the end of the dock and 2-3' from the west side. Push the boat out along the dock so that you can set the end of it about 4-5' onto the dolly. Strap it down and fold up the legs. Slide the boat out of the water, letting the dolly roll toward the boathouse, until you are holding the loose end of the boat. Drive up the ramp and toward the slings. Be sure to use care as you set the boat on the slings. You may have to lift the end of the boat so that the rigging clears the sling-supports. Don't grind the nose of the boat in the dirt!

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