Rowing
Including Viking Boats
Elementary - Curricular 2025
- Grade 6-8 Students Only
Equipment
- Students must wear a correctly fitting, properly secured/fastened and Canadian approved personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket, with whistle/signaling device attached, at all times near the water, where the depth of the water poses a risk, in and on the water.
- Teachers and all individuals who assist with the watercraft activity (for example, Qualified Instructors, Trip Guides) are required to wear a correctly fitting, properly secured/fastened and Canadian approved PFD or lifejacket, with whistle/signaling device attached, at all times near the water, where the depth of the water poses a risk, in and on the water.
Watercraft
- Shell inspected before each outing (for example, check for holes, cracks, loose hardware).
- Shell must have bow-ball in good repair.
- Bow and stern buoyancy compartments must be securely closed with water-tight hatches.
- Each shell must be equipped with a signaling device and a watertight flashlight.
- In all shells, the foot stretchers, shoes or other devices holding the feet will remain in the shell. Each shoe or device shall be independently restrained to limit heel lift to a maximum of 7 cm for each shoe or type of foot gear fitted to the shell. In addition, where laces, Velcro or similar materials must be opened before the rower can remove their feet from the shoes or other device, all such materials must be able to be released immediately by the rower with a single quick hand action of pulling on one easily accessible strap. Where shoes or other devices holding the feet will not remain in the shell, each shoe or device must be able to be released by the rower without using their hands or with a single quick hand action of pulling on one easily accessible strap or release device.
- Must have navigation lights attached if used after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility, as specified in the Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide.
- Oars must be checked for splinters and cracks.
- Riggers and oar-locks must be secure and operate freely.
- Steering lines must be secure and operating correctly.
Safety Craft
- A safety craft is a designated craft that is rescue-capable, taking into consideration necessary factors (for example, distance from shore, weather, water and wind conditions), and contains at least one Teacher, Qualified Instructor, or Trip Guide who meets the first aid certification.
- The safety craft must be motorized and equipped as per Transport Canada's Safe Boating Guide requirements.
- The operator of the motorized safety craft must have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, experience in navigating the craft and knowledge of the waterway in which the activity takes place (for example hazards, rocks, shoals).
- The motorized safety craft must not pose a risk to the safety of the participants (for example, maintain a safe distance from the watercraft, operate at a speed that minimizes boat wake unless responding to an emergency).
- The motorized safety craft must be the first craft in the water with occupants aboard and the engine running before Students leave the beach, dock or mooring and while Students are on the water.
- A reboarding device is required where the vertical height that a person must climb to reboard the boat from the water (freeboard) is over 0.5m (1’8”).
- Safety craft must be within 500m (1640') of Students during all on-water sessions.
Clothing/Footwear/Jewellery
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Appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn. A dry change of clothes must be available on shore.
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The Teacher/Monitor boat occupants are required to wear personal flotation devices (P.F.D.) while on the water at all times.
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Glasses, if worn, must have a safety strap.
Facilities
- When using an indoor rowing facility or a rowing club, the rules and Codes of Conduct of that facility or club must be followed.
Dockside/Boathouse
- Must have posted walking traffic pattern with hazards identified (for example, keep to right, dock slippery when wet).
On the Water
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Constantly evaluate the instructional area addressing issues as they arise (for example, pulling out deadheads or alerting crews to avoid areas if there is debris).
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The Teacher/Qualified Instructor must inform students of debris.
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Be aware of water currents, especially those created by rapids and waterfalls.
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All sites must not include rapids and waterfalls.
Environmental Considerations
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Teachers/Monitors must be aware of weather forecasts, especially wind conditions, temperature of the day, potential for thunder/lightning and fog conditions.
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Activity must be cancelled in adverse conditions and when there is poor visibility (for example, first sign of white caps).
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If inclement weather approaches suddenly, seek appropriate shelter immediately.
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Daylight rowing only.
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Students must be familiar with basic first aid, hypothermia, and injuries caused by extreme heat.
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Attention must be given to:
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Water conditions (for example, temperature, currents, tides and wave conditions).
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Visibility of 500m (1640’) is required.
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Length of time Students will be in sun and/or vigorously active.
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Previous training and length of preparation.
Special Rules/Instructions
Student Medical Information
- Teachers must be aware of Students whose medical condition (for example, asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetes, epilepsy) may affect participation. Consult Medical Conditions.
- Teachers must be aware of Students participating with orthopedic device(s) and/or assistive devices and establish safety rules and procedures to ensure Students can participate safely in activities.
- Teachers are required to inform all individuals who assist with the activity (for example Qualified Instructors, Aquatic Instructors, Lifeguards, Volunteers) of Students who have needs, orthopedic, assistive devices, and/or medical conditions that may influence participation.
School Board Policies and Procedures
- Refer to school board policies and procedures (i.e., transportation, excursion/field trip) for parent/guardian communication and permission (for example, the location of an off-site activity, description of the activity and physical environment, means of transportation, inherent risks of the activity, supervision).
- Parents/guardians must be informed that all students must wear a correctly fitting, properly secured/fastened and Canadian approved personal flotation device (P.F.D.) or lifejacket, with whistle/ signaling device attached, at all times near the water (when the depth of the water poses a risk), in and on the water.
Teacher Awareness/Preparation
- Teachers and all individuals who assist the Teacher with the activity must be aware of the possibility of pressuring Students. Students must be informed not to coerce a reluctant student into participating in any component of the activity with which they display or vocalize reluctance.
- When a student displays or vocalizes reluctance about participation, at any time, before or during any component of the activity, they must be provided with alternative ways to participate in the activity (for example, permit Students to select a role within the activity, remain at or return to a different component of the activity, break down new experiences/ components into smaller steps, be introduced to a new component with which they are comfortable).
- Skill level must be appropriate for the water conditions.
- Prior to participation all Teachers and all individuals who assist with the watercraft activity (e.g. Qualified Instructors/Trip Guides) must be aware of all Students' swimming ability, comfort and experience in water, and the water environment in which the activity takes place (for example, lakes, ponds, rivers) (Refer to Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form).
- Teachers and all individuals who assist with the watercraft activity (e.g. Qualified Instructors/Trip Guides) must be aware of Students who have none or limited swim ability/experience in the environment in which the activity takes place (Refer to Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form) and/or display or express hesitancy in the watercraft. The Teacher/Qualified Instructor must include additional program modifications (for example, consider the placement of Students based on their experience and comfort level, placing student with or near the Teacher/Qualified Instructor/Steersperson, and/or outfitting the student in a PFD or lifejacket with increased buoyancy).
Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire
- Prior to the activity, the Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form must be completed (Refer to Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form).
- The Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form must be completed within the school year in which the activity is taking place.
- Results of the Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form must be documented and communicated as per school board policy (for example, to the student, Teacher, Principal, Parents/Guardians, Trip Guide(s), Volunteers, Lifeguards, and Outside Provider [as applicable]).
- The Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form must be completed and submitted, or the student must not participate in the activity.
Safety Rules and Emergency Procedures
- If standards vary between the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education and an activity provider, implement the higher standards.
- All Teachers/Qualified Instructors must be knowledgeable of the established safety rules and emergency procedures (for example, capsize/swamp procedures).
- Prior to participation, Students must be familiar with safety rules and emergency procedures specific to the watercraft activity in which they will participate (for example, PFD/lifejacket requirements, buddy responsibilities, capsize/swamp procedures, staying with the boat to use it as a life raft).
- After initial instruction, Students must demonstrate the ability to select a correctly fitting PFD/lifejacket and to properly secure/fasten it.
- Students must be informed of the location of available safety equipment and how to use it.
- Before the start of each session, Teacher/Qualified Instructor must inform appropriate personnel (for example, facility's staff member) of the beginning and ending time on water.
- Teachers must be aware of the site’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP), including the Site Specific Rescue Plan, and share with all Monitors and Participants.
- Procedures must be in place to ensure accountability for all shells and Coaches and athletes on the water at any given time, in case of an emergency.
- Students must be instructed to remain with rowing shell and oars for flotation and visibility purposes if an accident occurs.
- Should a shell swamp (take on water), rowers are not to attempt to swim to shore but stay with the shell using it as a flotation device and follow these steps:
- Crew members number off and remove feet from shoes. Remain in place if possible.
- Make distress signal.
- If necessary, crew enters water in pairs from middle of shell, buddy up across shell.
- Coxswain buddies with stern pair in a stern-loaded coxed shell or bow-pair in a bow-loaded coxed shell.
- Swing oars parallel to shell to increase flotation.
- Unless rescue is imminent, move crew to bow and stern and roll shell over (fin up) with the wind. Crew should lie across hull, as far out of the water as possible, in pairs, holding on to the other person.
- The occupants of the safety craft conducts headcount upon arrival.
- In case of emergency, procedures must be in place to ensure accountability for all boats, Teachers, monitors and Students on the water.
- In case of an emergency, a predetermined return route must be established.
- A vehicle for emergency purposes must be available.
- An individual must be designated (for example, Teacher or Parent) to transport an injured student to the hospital. This must not be the Teacher/Trip Guide responsible for the excursion.
Supervision
- On-Site Supervision is required when students are moving and handling equipment (e.g., lifting, portaging carries, launching and removing watercraft(s) to and from the water).
- Qualified Instructor in Teacher/Monitor boat must be within 500m (1640') of students during all on-water sessions.
Supervision/Monitoring Ratios for Instructional Time
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One Teacher/Monitor boat must be assigned for every 9 rowers.
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Rowing: 1 Qualified Instructor per 9 students.
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Viking Boats: 1 Qualified Instructor per 15 students.
Qualifications
- The operator of the Teacher/Monitor boat must have Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
Rowing Instructor Qualifications
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Qualified Instructor expertise derived from one of the following:
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NCCP Rowing Technical Level I
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attendance at Rowing Canada Aviron Learn to Row Instructor’s workshop or equivalent within last 3 years
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First Aid
- At least Teacher, Trip Guide, or Monitor must have a minimum of a current (not more than three years prior to the day on which the holder is on duty) first aid certificate (standard or higher) issued by one of the following agencies: St. John Ambulance; Canadian Red Cross; Lifesaving Society; Canadian Ski Patrol; or an organization whose certificate is deemed equivalent by the medical officer of health in the local health unit.
Definitions
Thu, 09/18/25 01:49 pm