Catawba Yacht Club burgee
Catawba Yacht Club
Rowing · Lake Wylie, Charlotte NC
Safety & wind

Check the weather. Know the pattern. Row defensively.

Everything a rower needs before launching from the CYC docks: forecasts, the Lake Wylie traffic pattern and the club's safety protocols.

Forecast

Water & wind at the club

Windy — wind forecastWunderground — Fort Mill hourlyWeather.com — hour by hourAccuWeather — Fort Mill
Traffic pattern

Basic rules of traffic on Lake Wylie

  • Traffic flows like car traffic on a road. When passing oncoming (bow-facing) traffic, keep oncoming craft on your port side.
  • When approaching coves beware of blind spots. Craft may be exiting the cove mouth and not see you. Navigate wide of the cove mouth.
  • If turning into a cove, stay wide of the shoreline to spot craft hidden at the entrance.
  • Always assume other craft can not see you. Row defensively.
  • Watch for hazards such as floating debris, buoys, shallow water near shore and sandbars.

See also the USRowing Safety Guidelines (PDF) and USRowing.

Wind rule of thumb diagram for rowing on Lake Wylie
Wind rule of thumb — choose your route with wind direction and speed in mind.
Safety protocols

Launches, club rows and self-organized rows

Sometimes a coach or safety boat volunteers for the weekend organized rows; when this occurs the launch is likely near some boats but unlikely to be near all. Self-organized rows may choose to employ a launch. To protect rowers and equipment, launch drivers must be approved — currently all USRowing-certified coaches. You may be added by taking a boating safety course and demonstrating safe operation to the Rowing Captain or CYR Head Coach.

A club-organized row is held each Saturday and Sunday morning and some holidays. A self-organized row is any other row of one or more rowers and boats.

For the person calling a club-organized row

  1. 1.Check the weather prior to launch and only launch when safe as outlined by USRowing.
  2. 2.Assign crews to boats inclusive of any safety considerations.
  3. 3.Verify the return of all boats prior to leaving (a crew declaring an extended-duration row arranges its own return monitoring).

For all rowers and support persons (cox, coach, launch driver)

  1. 1.View the USRowing safety video each year.
  2. 2.Maintain current registration on USRowing, including waiver.
  3. 3.By signing up to row you certify you can swim to USRowing minimums: float and/or tread water for ten minutes and put on a life jacket while floating. If not, you must wear a PFD.
  4. 4.Sign up to row.
  5. 5.Wear proper rowing attire for the weather, including hi-viz.
  6. 6.Check your rowing station for proper heel-ties and secure hardware.
  7. 7.Study the rowing site map; know emergency egress and shelter options. Consider wind direction and speed in your route.
  8. 8.Know and practice the traffic pattern.
  9. 9.Recommended: carry a phone in a waterproof case, a bow mirror, a whistle or horn, and row in a group rather than a single boat.
  10. 10.Report any safety concerns or violations to the Rowing Captain and the Safety Officer immediately.

Additional requirements for self-organized rows

  1. 1.Be approved to lead or participate by a USRowing-certified coach (a novice may qualify only with experienced rowers).
  2. 2.Check the weather prior to launch and only launch when safe.
  3. 3.Engage someone to monitor your return and what action to take if you don't return by a certain time.
  4. 4.In or near dark or diminished visibility, use bow and stern lights.

Additional requirements for a self-organized row in a single

  1. 1.Take a PFD with you.
  2. 2.Recommended: go out with another boat capable of your rescue.
  3. 3.Pass a flip-test witnessed by a USRowing-certified coach — required if going solo.
  4. 4.Abide by the 4-oar rule cold-weather restrictions — required for club 1x and 2- boats.
  5. 5.Recommended: wear your PFD.