Name___________________________________ Date__________ 

SARASOTA COUNTY ROWING CLUB SAFETY ASSESSMENT 

Complete the following after having thoroughly read the SCRC Safety Manual. Return this completed assessment to the Safety Director or Coach before first getting on the water. You must answer all questions correctly in order to pass. 

1. Which weather conditions are unsafe for rowing?

a. Winds above 20 mph 
b. Thunder
c. Lightning
d. All of the above 

2. What should you do if there is a thunderstorm approaching when you are on the water? 

a. Row full pressure at race cadence back to the dock
b. Row at a reasonable speed towards SCRC; if you see lightning or hear thunder, go to the closest boat dock and wait out the storm.
c. Jump out of the boat and swim to shore
d. Row the boat to shore and wait crouched on the bank. 

3. Why is it important to keep out of the middle 1/3 of the ICW?

a. We leave it for the dolphins and manatees
b. The middle 1/3 is for power boats and larger crews only
c. The middle 1/3 is considered a “gray area” and should be left for larger shells, passing crews and power boats. 
d. It isn’t important to keep out of the middle 1/3 

4. You are unable to row for a few moments and a boat is gaining on you. What do you do? 

a. Stop right where you are, do what you need to do and remain silent
b. Slow down and drift toward the side, trying to avoid the oncoming crew
c. Communicate loudly and clearly with the oncoming crew before you stop rowing, then pull to the shore side and weigh enough
d. Stop where you are and pray they don’t hit you, then yell at them if they do 

5. You would like to turn and cross the ICW to return to the boatyard, but another boat is approaching. Which boat has the right of way, yours or the boat traveling along the ICW? 

a. I have the right away as long as I’m moving fast enough.
b. The other boat has the right of way, any crossing or turning boats must yield to boats traveling in the regular traffic pattern 
c. I have the right of way, SCRC boats always have priority near the launching area
d. Nobody has the right of way, we have to communicate and establish who can keep rowing and who should stop. 

6. What of the following equipment do you need to check before every row?

a. Riggers, foot stretchers, and top nuts.
b. Riggers, all nuts and bolts, foot stretchers, heel ties, top and bottom nuts, seat c. None of it. That is the equipment manager’s job
d. Coaches check the boat over before we row 

7. Your shell flips. What should you do?

a. Get back in 
b. Use the shell as a paddle board and kick yourself to more shallow water so you can get in.
c. Have a buddy assist you so you in stabilizing the hull so you can get back in. d. Any of the above. 

8. Before I carry my boat down, and after I re-rack my boat at the end of my row, what important step do I have to make sure I take care of? 

a. Note the time, boat taken, direction I will row, and the time I landed in the logbook
b. Check to see I’m looking good
c. See who is around to talk to 
d. Plan my evening 

9. What steps should be taken to avoid heat exhaustion

a. Don’t row in the hottest part of the day
b. Take water with you and drink often when it is hot
c. Take breaks in the shade and wear appropriate clothing
d. All of the above 

10. What do you do if your boat is damaged during a row?

a. Slink away and hope no one notices
b. Record damage in log book and notify the Equipment Manager
c. Complain that the equipment is faulty and always breaking
d. Nothing. It is the next rower’s problem