Captain's Test
The Captain’s Test is a three-part test that certifies a member’s knowledge of club rules, knowledge of the river rules, and ability to safely handle club equipment.
There are two tracks, with two levels each, each of which grants members access to different boats in the boathouse:
Level I (sculling): Successful completion of Level I permits the use of a club (e.g racing) 1x and certifies the member to bow a club 2x without coach or captain supervision.
Level II (sculling): Successful completion of Level II permits the member to bow a club 4x without coach or captain supervision.
Level I (sweep): Successful completion of Level I certifies the member to bow a club 2- without coach or captain supervision.
Level II (sweep): Successful completion of Level II permits the member to bow a club 4- without coach or captain supervision.
Continue reading for specific details on the Captain's test, or download for later review.
river maps & rules
Maps of the Charles River and Basin (including 2k race course) traffic patterns, and the complete traffic rules.
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coxswains
Coxswains play a big role in maintaining safety standards. Every coxswain is required to pass a Captain’s Test within two weeks of joining RBC.
boat reservations
Members may sign out a boat up to 3 days in advance—failure to show for recurring or other reservations, may result in a loss of privileges.
These specific steering skills required of all L1 and L2 candidates:
1. Look ahead approximately every 5 strokes, while the blades are in the water so as not to upset the set of the boat.
2. Demonstrate awareness of surrounding traffic, communicating with other boats before entering each other’s “personal space”, and making appropriate judgements about when and how much to steer around other boats.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of which way to steer around other boats: toward shore to get out of the way of faster boats, toward the middle third of the river to go around slower boats.
4. Demonstrate the ability to maintain an appropriate course when in a group of boats traveling the same direction (i.e., maintain correct course relative to shore/landmarks AND relative to other boats). Also demonstrate appropriate communication with other boats in a pack as you navigate while rowing (e.g., telling other boats what your course is, politely requesting that they change course if they are encroaching on yours, politely responding to others’ requests to change course if you are encroaching on theirs).
5. Demonstrate the ability to steer using pressure, using appropriate commands, in boats without a toe rudder, without upsetting the set of the boat. Share the specific commands you use with the other rowers in your boat before launching.
6. Demonstrate the ability to steer using the toe rudder in boats that have one and to integrate use of the rudder with steering by one’s self and by pressure from other rowers as needed.
7. Maintain a course consistent with the official traffic pattern for that location on the river. Specifically, using the “rule of thirds”, maintain travel in the shore third of the river, keeping adequate distance from the shore at all times, unless passing a slower boat. Appropriate distance from shore will vary along the river, but should generally be no less than 1 oar’s length between the end of the blades and the shore when the boat is moving and when there are no other boats or obstacles to steer around. At no time should the boat cross the center line.
8. Maintain a straight course in non-curved areas of the river where the shore cannot be used as a steering guide (e.g., in the basin, downstream through Powerhouse). Adjust as appropriate to set up for upcoming bridges.
9. Demonstrate appropriate turning radius in curved areas of the river (e.g., upstream through Weeks, downstream across from Magazine Beach; around the Eliot turn in both directions) so that the boat does not cross the center line.
10. Demonstrate use of stern points to maintain course where appropriate (e.g., on 2K racecourse, when traveling upstream between Weeks and JFK St. Bridge, when approaching JFK St. Bridge coming downstream past Newell).
11. Demonstrate the use of bow points to maintain course where appropriate (e.g., when traveling downstream in the Basin).
12. Demonstrate the ability to dock appropriately, including “parallel parking” when the dock is crowded. This involves selecting the right angle of approach to the dock (taking into account wind and water conditions), using appropriate speed (controlled by bow pair or bow seat, as appropriate), controlling course by squaring port blades dynamically as the boat approaches the dock, tipping hips to port (not leaning with the upper body) to raise starboard blades above the dock to allow the hull to approach the dock, and catching the dock with the left hands to guide the hull into place without either the blades or hull contacting the dock.
Required ON ThE Water Skills
Sculling LEVEL I
Fleet restrictions
Peinerts (formerly the gigs)
The Riverside Press, Jim Hanley, Chris Dyke, and 1869 are all Peinert brand boats and are considered gigs at Riverside. All members may use these boats at any time, except for the weekend restriction of club equipment as a whole or when the four-oar rule is in effect in the winter.
Racing Boats
Racing boats* include Filippis, Hudsons, and Fluids. Racing boats are restricted, even if members are with a coach.
coxswain test
The ultimate goal of the Coxswain Test is to demonstrate competence, safety and self-reliance on the Charles River, and in and around Riverside Boat Club. Riverside coxswains must have full knowledge of the Charles River rules and traffic pattern, and safety protocols. Coxswains must not need to ask rowers in the boat for advice on the traffic pattern or safety protocols. Similarly, coxswains must not rely on coaches for guidance because coaches may be busy with other crews or too far away to respond to questions.
The coxswain has the primary and ultimate responsibility of knowing exactly where to go, what to do and how to keep the crew safe. Therefore it is expected that all coxswains are knowledgeable on the water and around the boathouse. All coxswains must be tested as soon as possible upon joining Riverside Boat Club. Coxswains must cox at least three outings with a Riverside crew under the supervision of a Riverside coach before scheduling a Coxswain Test.
Passing the Coxswain Test entitles the coxswain to cox club boats unsupervised at any permitted time, with the exception of U23 summer program coxswains who must be accompanied by their program coach at all times. These privileges may be revoked at any time by the Riverside Captain.
The Coxswain Test has two parts, an on-water portion and an off-water portion, both of which must be fully satisfied to pass.
I. On-Water Portion
The on-water portion involves shadowing the coxswain being tested during a regular scheduled practice, when they will be expected to demonstrate the following:
Adherence to the most current version of the Charles River Rowing Traffic Pattern defined by the Charles River Rowing Committee, specifically Section I (“Charles River Traffic Patterns For Rowers”) and Section II (“Rowing Equipment”), and accompanying maps of the river and basin
Proper CoxBox use, storage and handling procedures
Proper boat handling, including use of tennis ball covers for top-nuts, care on the dock and wiping dry with towels
When and how to use boat lights
How to use Fleetwatch
Assertive but consistent and safe outing implementation, including constant situational awareness and appropriate communication with other river users
II. Off-Water Portion
The off-water portion, done immediately after the on-water portion, involves verbally demonstrating thorough knowledge of the following:
Where not already demonstrated during the on-water portion, the most current version of the Charles River Rowing Traffic Pattern defined by the Charles River Rowing Committee, specifically Section I (“Charles River Traffic Patterns For Rowers”) and Section II (“Rowing Equipment”), and the accompanying maps of the river and basin
Contact information for the Captain and safety representative(s)
Use of the boat schedule, including restrictions on club boat use at certain times of year, and rules for priority of boat use
Protocol in the cases of lightning or thunder, strong wind and extreme cold
How to report an accident or incident (online incident log, notify Captain)
How to report damage to a boat (online boat damage log, rigger’s book, notify Captain) and understanding of boat damage policy
Proper procedure for travel with club boats and equipment such as CoxBoxes, including the online regatta equipment sign-out/in forms
Check the flowchart above that you are ready for every component of the test, then email the captains.
Not every member passes on their first attempt.
