JRC is fortunate to have access to miles of rowable water with a variety of natural life within our rivers.  However, just because we CAN row, it doesn’t necessarily follow that we always SHOULD.

To help make the decision to row or not to row, set out below are overall safety requirements and tips. Please review the JRC Handbook, Navigation Map, JRC Rules and Policies, iCrew Documents, and other resources available on the website and in the app for additional guidelines. 

Don’t Take Safety for Granted

The river is to be respected — do NOT take unnecessary chances with your life or equipment.

Use Safety Launches or the Buddy System

All JRC-sponsored practices must have a safety launch accompanying the practice unless specifically excepted by the JRC President or JRC coaches. 

If a row/practice is conducted without an accompanying safety launch, the buddy system is best.

Waterway Traffic Rules

Follow the Rules of the River as set forth in JRC Rules and/or Policies and as posted in the Boathouse near the mailbox at the front desk. Also:

For the Arlington and Pottsburg: Have the shore on your left shoulder.

In the St. Johns heading north toward JU: Northbound traffic should be as close to the eastern shore as is safe, while boats returning to JRC should travel to the west of this traffic.

Heading south from JU: Aim your boat for the spans on the Matthews Bridge along the east side of Exchange Island.  

In the St. Johns heading west toward downtown: As you leave the Arlington River, move to the south shore of the river. Traffic going toward the Hart Bridge should aim for the southernmost of the three wide spans, while boats returning to JRC should aim for the south end of the wide span with the pilings.   

Rowing Around Bends. Plot a course that avoids the inside of turns, especially at low tide.  The river is extremely shallow in these areas.  

Carry a Communication Device

Each boat should be equipped with some sort of communication device. It does not need to be fancy; a cell phone in a baggie or a whistle in your kit bag can suffice. 

Be Noticeable and Avoid River Hazards

Long distance rows take you out of the normal traffic pattern for rowing shells.  Other boats are not used to watching out for us in these areas of the river, so wear bright and colorful clothing.

Do NOT row in the shipping channels. Non–motorized craft have special priorities on the river, BUT why flirt with large vessels that cannot quickly react to you being in their lanes.

Be aware of the large metal buoy anchored south of the Matthews Bridge. 

Be aware of the red and green channel markers buoys on the Arlington River.

Be aware of the large Manatee Zone signs.

Bow and Stern Lights

Each end of your boat should have a light — especially if you launch near dusk or dawn.

Fog Conditions

If it is foggy and you have trouble seeing the University Blvd bridge, it is NOT safe to row. If you can’t see the bridge well, motor boats certainly won’t be able to see you. 

Once on the water, do NOT row into increasingly heavy fog, particularly if it begins to surround you. A light fog can transform into a thick fog bank with little warning. Head to a clear section of the river and/or back to the dock, keeping an eye out for other boats and nearby obstables, and audibly communicating with nearby boats.

Dangerous Currents

Rowing Downtown is NOT Safe. Rowing into downtown between the Main Street and Fuller Warren bridges without a safety launch or buddy is an EXTREMELY dangerous row, due in no small part to:

• The current in the narrow portion of the river is extremely swift
• There are also highly dangerous vortex currents around the Main Street Bridge pilings.

REGARDLESS of your experience level, JRC PROHIBITS the use of club equipment beyond the Main Street Bridge without a safety launch. Rowers using their own equipment for such rows MUST BE very experienced rowers and understand that they take these rows AT THEIR OWN RISK.

Beware Tidal Currents To/From JU. The river currents are swiftest at the start of the outgoing tide ~ thus, a zippy row towards JU without current can turn into a slog fest as you turnaround and work your way back to JRC.   

Constantly Evaluate Weather Conditions

Be aware of weather — both the forecast and what is happening in the skies during your row. During the spring and summer the weather can change drastically and suddenly.  Be sure to scan the skies for weather currently happening around you. Often, the most dangerous weather is brewing off your bow. 

Thunder & Lightning

DO NOT ROW when thunder can be heard before you launch. If you can hear thunder, you can be hit by the accompanying lightning. 

If it begins to thunder/lightning during your row, head back to JRC immediately.  In lightning conditions, consider getting off the river ASAP at any area boathouse or rowing to the nearest bridge and staying beneath it until the storm passes. If the current is strong, it will be a constant battle to remain under the bridge span, but it is safer than being out in the open.

Boat Traffic and Wakes

Motorized boats may cause wakes, but not all motorized boaters are attempting to do so.  Many boaters do not know the proper manner of passing a rowing shell.  If asked, a good rule of thumb is for the craft to pass at a speed that produces the smallest wake.

Aggressive Boaters. If a motor boat is trying to scare you or cause you to flip; take down their bow number. Even if you really can’t see it, pretending to write it down or take a photo of it will scare the offender away.               

Crab Boatmen. Be courteous to the crab boatmen! They are on the river working for a living, while we are sport enthusiasts. Be aware that their business often requires speed-induced wakes between crab pots, but for the most part, they try to watch out for us and even kindly warn us of issues out on the water if needed. 

Register Each Row in iCrew and Check In/Out

If you’re not going out with a coach/as part of a practice session, register your rows on iCrew and CHECK IN and OUT EACH time (the JRC log book is also there for this purpose). If the worst does happen, it helps search and recovery to know which direction you were heading and how long since you were last in contact. Every minute counts in an emergency, so help those that are trying to help you.