Re: Rule 43 - the recommendations.

Paul wrote: 
I'm still not convinced that sending off a beginner onto a cold river
at this time of year and telling them, go on do a capsize drill,  while
a couple of coaches stand on the bank with their fingers crossed hoping
neither has to jump in to help, no matter how effective the capsize
drill is, is nessesarily the best balence of risks. Especially if
beginners are to be forced to wear a PFD. Which I think is a sensible
course.


Please read more carefully because you've missed a point that has been well enough made earlier. No one here is suggesting first capsize practice in January. Some of us have talked specifically about doing this in mid-summer.

We do have to get a bit more grown up in our attitudes. If we might capsize in January, but dare not practice in those conditions, why is that? Presumably because we are aware that, equipped as we usually are, we are in ill-equipped for the shocks or other environmental hazards of sudden immersion. Yet the point has already been well made that the first capsize can be a pretty panicky affair.

We aren't made of sugar, rowing is supposed to be a tough sport, & we row with ice forming on our blades, so it can't just be fear of a bit of cold water in the ears that frightens us off winter capsize drills, can it? More, I would suggest, our problem is that we disbelieve that we will really ever find ourselves involuntarily immersed, & we would therefore prefer not to go through a nasty, chilly experience in which we might also look a bit daft, or even lose it slightly.

Carl

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