I don’t expect a lot of activity here, but I thought I would start a thread on cold water rowing. Mark and I started a discussion on outriggers and I thought a new thread would be good so we don’t hijack the thread on what type of boat do you row. The subject of cold water safety came up before on the old forum. Of course the Concept2 is an indoor rower and is a nice way to row if the water is cold and you’re an on-the-water rower. If anybody has further suggestions on cold water rowing, please join in.
I live in Michigan and we have winters. There are times when it is pleasant outside, the river is not covered with ice, and it is tempting to go for a row. I prefer to be outdoors if at all possible. It is well known that it is dangerous to go out when the water is cold. The danger is not necessarily hypothermia. You can survive a long time in freezing water. The danger is cold shock and dry drowning.
You can do a Google search on cold water survival or other keywords.
Here is a good site with information on cold water safety:
http://www.leoblockley.org.uk/cold-water-safety.asp
The cold water safety guidelines document is a good article.
I’d like to add some further thoughts on cold water safety.
I think it is important to have a good view of where you are going and of the water in front of the bow. Most cycling mirrors don’t give a wide enough view. There is one brand, Take-a-Look, that does give a good view of where you are going. It’s not that hard to get used to using a mirror. Just about anybody can flip if he or she hits an object such as a log, buoy, etc. while in the catch or finish position. If you use a mirror and spend most of your time looking at where you are going instead of where you have been, you are much less likely to flip because of a collision. In particular, I like to have a good view of the water before the bow.
Here is another safety tip that I picked up from an expert rower. Of course you tighten the gates on the oarlocks at the dock. After pushing off and taking a few strokes, I always reach over and check one last time to make sure the gates are tightly closed. If an oar pops out while you are rowing, it’s almost certain that you are going to flip.
I mentioned in the other thread that when the water is cold, I use some homemade outriggers. They are several inches off the water and out of the way of the oars so they don’t affect rowing at all. However, it would be very hard to flip a single with one of these attached. I attach them using two Velcro strips on each side:
I almost made some other outriggers for other members of the local boat club.
Here they are again:
I don't see any good reason not to use them when the water is cold. They weigh next to nothing, don't interfere with rowing at all, and attach in a few seconds with Velcro straps. And they could save you from flipping.
The yellow outriggers are made from coroplast (sign material.) Tools required would be scissors, an awl or nail to poke holes in the coroplast, some plastic ties, plumbers goop, scraps of wood and a couple of nuts and bolts.
I like to have the outriggers positioned well above the water so they don’t interfere with rowing but still close enough that you don’t pick up too much momentum if you are starting to flip. When attached to the boat, even though they’re above the water they seem to add stability. Maybe it is a little like a tightrope walker with a long stick for balance. Alden makes some “stabilizers” that attach under the oarlocks. I don’t know how much up and down adjustment they have. I like to have the plastic jugs or coroplast miniature boats a few inches above the water so they don’t interfere with rowing.
I think a perfect air temperature for winter sculling is around freezing or a little below, but not so cold that there is ice on the river. Dry pants, and a lightweight dry top that breathes but is waterproof are comfortable. Most articles say you should use waterproof gloves because your hands become numb when immersed in cold water. NRS makes some good ones. I also wear a PFD like cold water kayakers wear. It doesn’t interfere with rowing much. When the air temperature is in the 40’s or above, the dry pants and dry top get uncomfortably warm. In that case I just do a light paddle and do drills, etc. I’m still happy to be outdoors and on the water. Even if the air is warm, if the water is cold you should be prepared. Of course it is safest to stay indoors when the water is cold.
P.S.
Mark, that was a fabulous 2K. Way to go!
Byron
