– Handbook: Sculling competency

Competencies

The list below shows the core competencies that single scullers are expected to attain before sculling outside of coached outings. It is always advisable to scull in a small group and/or with a bank-party for additional safety.

  1. Understand which boats they have permission to use and how to book them
  2. Be able to describe the safety considerations used to assess risk when deciding whether to boat
  3. Be able to describe what to do in case of capsize; ideally have completed a capsize drill
  4. Know where the equipment and spares are located
  5. Check the set-up of the boat: stretcher, gates, and runners
  6. Take boat off/on rack safely without damage and without help*
  7. Safety/damage check before and after outing – shoe screws, heel restraints, top nuts, hatch cover, bow ball, hull condition
  8. Adjust stretcher to ensure ~one hand’s-width at finish
  9. Fit blades into gates correctly
  10. In/out boat safely maintaining balance
  11. Pushing off/landing safely without damage
  12. Observing the rules of navigation – staying on the correct side & crossing over safely
  13. Observation and steering – spotting obstacles, giving warnings, steering around obstacles
  14. Being able to adjust footplate and take tops on/off out on the water
  15. Backing down in a straight line
  16. Backing down adjusting direction e.g. towards a fixed point
  17. 360 degree spin in both directions
  18. Emergency stop
  19. Knowing where to spin safely
  20. Be fit enough, with good enough technique, to get to Baits Bite and back without struggling
  21. Know how to report an Incident and Equipment Damage

In order to be passed to go out alone, scullers must be fully competent in all of the above.

*A sculler who passes on all points except 6 should always ensure they have a helper for these steps, but may take to the water alone (subject to the usual risk assessments, and other provisos above).

Assessment

An individual who wishes to scull outside of coached outings should first have their competency assessed. They should consult the Club Captain who will direct them to a coach who can carry out the assessment.