Information

A very warm welcome to Alness and Invergordon Rowing Club. 

The following Induction Guide gives you information about the club, boats, rowing techniques and important safety issues. 

With any physical activity, especially on water, safety is paramount and if you are new to rowing there may also be some unfamiliar terms. Please read through the following contents which are a useful reference guide, as you become familiar with coastal rowing through spending time on the water. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask- any club members will be happy to give you any further details. 

Rowing Sessions

The boat’s home is at Invergordon Boat Club and AIR rowing sessions run all the year round on Saturday mornings from 10am at Rosskeen slipway. 

Please make contact if you want to try out coastal rowing. These sessions are for 30 minutes and you are welcome to have a go before you join the club. 

Additional sessions are arranged outwith this time through the club’s WhatsApp group, dependent on weather conditions and crew availability. 

Clothing

Layered clothing is best. You are exercising outside and can become warm but please consider the weather. A waterproof jacket, fleece, hat and rowing/cycling gloves are suggested in winter. Please wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet and bring a towel. Old trainers are ideal with shorts or quick drying leggings as you may be up to your knees in water when the boat is launched. 

It is mandatory that life jackets are worn and the club will provide one. 

The Skiff 

The Bow is the front of skiff and the Stern is the back end of the skiff. The Cox sits in the stern facing the direction of travel and the rowers sit one behind the other facing the Cox, with their back to the direction of travel. 

Port refers to the left side of the boat and Starboard the right side of the boat, when looking from stern to bow.   

Launching

The skiff is reversed down the slipway, stern first under cox’s orders. 

It can be muddy/ icy/ slimy so hold on to the boat if you feel yourself slipping. 

The Cox gets in first from the bow and then the crew. Only one person at a time should be standing/ moving in the boat. 

Weather Conditions 

If in doubt, we don’t go out so please watch for messages if you plan to join a row on a windy day. Weather conditions are one of the most crucial aspects of coastal rowing but consideration will be taken over the capabilities of the crew. 

Positions in the Boat

The cox will allocate crew positions to crew members in this order from the stern:- 

Stern seat,  Cox 

Seat 4, Stroke 

Seat 3 

Seat 2 

Seat 1, Bow 

The Role of the Cox

The cox is ultimately responsible for the safety of the crew and skiff. They steer the skiff, supervise the safe getting in and out, give directions to the crew and have responsibility for radio communications. 

They will take decisions about where to go and for how long.