Author: Barbara Agnew

Club captain Marianne writes: Some positive news for you today!

Following SCRA advice, the RTR Group has met and made recommendations to the Committee.  Happily we can return to rowing, though not the Shed, following these rules.  They are small things, but if we all stick to them, it can really make a difference.

1. Rowing can resume, but all rows, including social rowing, must be booked with Mike B.  There’s no need to keep a gap between crews.
   
2. There should be no more than 3 people in the Shed when retrieving equipment to set up the boat(s). Try to keep 2m distance.
   
3. The Shed remains closed for socialising at this time.  Boat maintenance can take place, but limited to  three people at a time, wearing face masks.  
   
4. All hygiene measures must continue, i.e. sanitising of the boat’s touch points between crews and boat washing at the end of the day.  Members must continue to sign in using the QR code (remember one person can sign the whole crew in), or sign in the book if your phone doesn’t recognise QR codes.
   
5. If the cox/stroke, or any other member of a crew feels more comfortable wearing a mask, they should do so.
   
6. We strongly recommend that members take a lateral flow test before coming down to row.  
   
7. You should not come down to row if you have any symptoms or feel unwell, even if this means your crew cannot get out.

Rowing is important to all of us, so please stick to these simple rules.  Click here to view and download the updated protocol. We’ll keep monitoring the Covid situation closely.

Thanks to the RTR Group and the Committee for acting so quickly today.  Thanks to all on the maintenance team for your continued work on Ferry Lass.  She is going to look glorious!  

Club vice-captain Mike B adds: Now that we are back in rowing action, I have set up three slots for Social rowing tomorrow afternoon; 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Please email me if you would like a place on any of those slots.

I’m especially keen to hear if RPs will be coming along, as, of course, they are absolutely necessary to allow any rowing at all!

Club captain Marianne writes: Following the announcements re the worrying spread of the Omicron variant, I need to let you know that the Committee has taken some decisions on the advice of the Return to Rowing subgroup. 
Covid measures from Tuesday 14 December.

1. Suspension of all rowing with immediate effect until further notice.
2. Closure of the Shed, with immediate effect until further notice.
3. Boat maintenance (but not Shed maintenance) to continue, but limited to three members, with at least the pedestrian door to remain open at all times for ventilation, masks to be worn, hygiene measures to be taken. 

The Committee has agreed that a small group (4-5) can go down at the Shed on Friday to turn the boat outside to allow further maintenance to take place.

I know this will be disappointing for everyone and it’s not something we are doing lightly.  We have a duty of care to members and hopefully by playing our part, our club community can help keep each other safe over the Christmas period.

The Committee and RTR Group will, as always, keep this under active review.

Mike B writes: After a dreich day this Saturday, let’s hope that the weather is a little kinder next weekend.

On Saturday the 11th of December, the tides will be suitable for social rowing to begin at 09:00. On Sunday the 12th of December, the tides are suitable for Youth rowing to begin at 10:00 and for Social rowing from 13:00.

Wrap up warm!

In other news, Scott has set up a public Facebook page for the club: Queensferry Rowing Club – Home (facebook.com) and an Instagram page as well: @queensferry_rowing_club • Instagram photos and videos Like the pages and share the links!

A QRC crew took the Lass out for a ‘lovely choppy row’ today. May Macleod took these beautiful photos.

Mike B writes: Given the Red alert for very high winds along the East coast tonight and tomorrow morning, I suggest that we should cancel social rowing tomorrow morning.

Our normal operating limit is a wind of 21mph and the forecasts are for gusts much higher than that, so I think we have to take the prudent approach and not risk it.