Hi Members,

With the New Year now well upon us, we are well into the rowing season and looking forward to the remainder of the rowing calendar.

The building works in and around the club are finally nearing completion and we look forward to seeing the restaurant and café start operation. They certainly look the goods and provide a much more appealing appearance for the club.

DRC Regattas

In the next month, Drummoyne Rowers are hosting 2 regattas on Iron Cove. They are in March on Sunday 19^th and Sunday 26^th, Yes that’s right, they are a week apart. While this is not ideal, it is just the way it worked out.

Running regattas is a big task and to be running 2 in a week will really put the pressure on the club. To this end, we need volunteers for both days. We have a range of activities that need covering including:

· Laying the course

· Making Lunch packs for the BRO’s

· Tinnie Drivers

· Pontoon Marshalls at DRC and LRC

· Medal Presentations

· Time keepers

· Updating results

· Coffee Stall

If you can help, please send an email to drummoynerowers@gmail.com and let us know your availability for both dates and your preference, if any, for jobs on the day.

Around the Boathouse

In line with our goal to continually upgrade equipment, we have purchased 2 sets of sculling oars for the Wearne 4X and Hammond 4X. The oars are intended to be used as a set and only in the boats they have been purchased for. This allows crews to have consistent equipment. They are not to be used for singles or doubles. Ideally, we will set up oars for all our smaller boats in time.

As sunrise gets later and later, it is imperative that we are diligent with our use of boat lights and safety equipment in the coaching tinnies. RMS will show little mercy if they catch crews or coaches that do not conform to the regulations.

We are currently implementing a house keeping roster to try and improve the cleanliness of the club. We all need to play our part in putting rubbish in the numerous bins provided and leaving the boathouse and gym in a tidy and clean condition.

The parts boxes have recently been re-stocked to ensure we have all the parts needed to keep the fleet in racing condition. If you use a boat regularly, please take on the responsibility for basic maintenance. If you have a major issue or repair needed, please let me know what is required.

On the theme of boat maintenance, there has been an upsurge of damage to boats that have not been reported. No one goes out with the intention to damage boats so if something happens, please let the Captains know. It helps us maintain the fleet and ensure our fleet is in optimum condition.

At this point, it is worthwhile referring to our boat allocation guidelines. Boats are graded to ensure that we are able to supply equipment in line with the crew’s ability and competitiveness. Some of our fleet will be restricted for general use but will be made available as we come into the state and nationals. This policy ensures that we have the best equipment available for our crews in the main events.

We are looking to continually upgrade the fleet, so over the next season we will all see the benefit of this policy. We will look to purchasing more boats in the mid-range weight categories that better suit the mix of or current membership.

Last weekend we had a weather event that caused a bit of havoc with the boats stored outside. There was some damage to boats but we managed to avoid any significant damage considering the wind experienced and the trees that were blown over. Thanks to everyone who got involved in cleaning up.

With the increase in the amount of people around the club we need to ensure that we are remain vigilant in securing the boathouse and gym when no one is there.

In recent months the doors have been left open through the date and overnight, We have had a coffee machine go missing and probably other items that we have yet to realise.

If you are the last to leave, lock the doors!

If you are rowing later than the peak periods in the morning, put the sign on the door or an oar breaching the door. This will signify that someone is still on the water.

Cheers

Rob Glendenning

Captain