How To: Cox Under Fast Stream
Introduction
When it has been raining recently, the stream both gets higher, and flows faster. After heavy rainfall, the river doesn't rise for 36 hours. This is because water in the river's catchment area has to percolate through the ground like a sponge to get there. In prolonged rainfall, the ground is already water-logged, and rainfall quickly turns into 'run-off' and drains straight into the river. It’s worth mentioning that if there is rainfall east – downstream - of Oxford, it won't show in the levels of the Isis. Likewise, if there is rainfall west of, but not in, Oxford - we can still expect to see a spike in river levels a couple of days later.
Wind is also a factor when OURCs make a stream assessment; most notably at the green-blue boundary. Wind strength is proportional to the surface area of the boat on a particular side; head and tail winds affect speed by a small amount, while cross-winds will quite severely blow the vessel off the course it wishes to make.
The Environment Agency have a way of dealing with high waters - the weirs. Weirs have gates that can alter the amount of water let through it. If the weirs are fully open (or 'drawn'), water will drain away from the Isis much faster; however, the stream speed will sharply increase. If the weirs are mostly closed, perhaps being mindful of not flooding settlements further downstream, the river won't be as fast, but take longer to go back down to low stream.
The weirs we are most affected by are the ones at Osney Lock, Iffley Lock, and the weirs down the side-channels at Longbridges (Hinksey). The Isis flag status is just a guideline as to the river's difficulty, and we have to inspect the local conditions and react accordingly to them.
Flag Restrictions
OURCs states that the flag dictates who must not go out, and not necessarily who can go out. As part of the club's risk assessment each time before they boat, they must assess the conditions. For the most part, the flag is an adequate guideline. In times where the side channels are pulling particularly fast, you might want to abandon an outing, especially if you have a novice crew. It is up to whoever is in charge to judge whether conditions are safe for boating. As an experienced or senior cox, you are legally responsible for the safety of the crew on the water.
Under blue flag, no novice coxes are permitted on the water (so X/S only). As a corollary, you do not need a bank rider for outings under blue flag. However, it will often help, especially if the crew is novice, or the cox isn't brilliant at landings.
Under amber flag, only 'senior' crews may boat. A senior crew, as defined by OURCs, consists of:
- A senior cox
- For an 8+, 4 or more people must have had a year's worth of rowing experience; all 8, however, must have had a whole term's experience
- For a 4+, all four oarsmen must have a year's worth of experience
- A bankrider at all times, who has a throw line, and a mobile phone pre-programmed with the number of the Iffley Lock Keeper (01865 777 277) in case of emergency.
Other crews can be designated senior status at the discretion of the OURCs secretary - feel free to enquire if you think this is applicable. As well as this:
- Crews may not pass through the locks
- Crews must turn ealy at Haystacks - there is a big red girder on the TOWPATH side about 100m downstream of Donnington bridge. You may spin at any point beyond that (being mindful of any other crews out on the water); you should aim to start spinning before Haystacks corner, and at no point drift downstream of the green flag spinning post.
Boating
As obvious as this is, it is worth mentioning - when you row upstream, you are rowing against the stream, and will go more slowly. When you are going downstream, you are rowing with the stream, and will go faster.
When your crew are getting in the boat, it is important to keep good control of their blades. They must hold on to them at all times. Ensure also that they are tilted with the concave side of the blade facing downstream. This will allow the water to run under it, as opposed to dragging the hatchet under the water (which risks capsizing).
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| Good | Very Bad |
Spinning at the Head
While spinning your normal way (bow side row on, stroke side back it) will get you across the river, there are more elegant ways to do it.
First of all, spin high, getting on for the second bridge on your left. The stream is already fast, and when you are halfway through your spin, you will be carried downstream very fast. Make sure that if you spin next to another crew, that you are left or leave them with enough room - you don't want to your boats to spear each other!
| Now, the important bit. A stream runs faster in the centre. You should already know this from bumps - your racing line should avoid going into the centre of the stream unless it is necessary. So if you are pointing upstream, on the correct side and swing your stern out by getting bow side to back down, the stream will be especially against your stern and try and push you back to where you came - see the first GIF image. Moreover, backing down is not as powerful, and the net result is spinning ‘on the spot’. |  |
| One good way to turn it is as follows - as illustrated in the second GIF image. Row up the centre of the river, and hold it up all eight. Get bow side to back it down, with stroke side holding it up. This will swing your stern around to the towpath side, and slower water. You need not do much when perpendicular - your bows will be in the fast, middle part of the river still, and the stream will spin the boat for you. Make sure that crews around you are aware that you intend to spin backwards. |  |
More information is available at HowTo: Spin at the Head
Spinning at Longbridges
This is forbidden under blue/amber flag, unless you are landing.
Spinning at Haystacks
Make sure you spin early. If you spin below the corner, there becomes a tendency for crews to be held up and spinning to get lower and lower. There is a convenient little pocket before Haystacks corner that is great to park your bows in.
The river is narrower here than at the head, so you won't be able to deviate as much from a standard spin. Start your spin on the towpath side, and start by getting bow side to row it on until you are almost perpendicular. Your bows will be pointed towards the city side, and around 6 seat will be in the fast stream. To avoid getting your bows stuck in the bank, get stroke side to back it down a few times. However, provided you stay slightly more on the city side, the stream will pull you around.
Landing
Crews landing at Isis Boathouse should spin and land upstream, drifting in to their pontoon. All other crews should land as normal.
If you get drawn down the Side Channels
- If you do find yourself under the bridge then most importantly, don't panic! 99 times out of 100 you are not in any (immediate) danger. If you find yourself going under perpendicular to the bridge then all you need to do is get bow 4 to row on, or get the people directly under the bridge to reach up and grab the bridge (they are quite low) and on the count of 3 give a shove to push you back out into the river.
- If you find yourself stuck under the bridge parallel to the line of the bridge then do not despair, there is a way to remove yourself. You will not be able to paddle out by getting bow to tap on and stroke to back down as the gap is the same size as an eight, and it will look like this youtube clip.
- Instead, get your coach to locate a throwline (there is normally one in the Longbridges boathouse that one of the clubs will be willing to lend if their is activity at the raft, highly likely), and with them holding on to one end, drop the other end into the water from the river side of the bridge so that the stream carries it towards you, get someone in the bows of the boat to grab on, and then the coach can pull the bows round with their massive strength, with bow (and 3) paddling on as soon as their blades are clear. Then simply paddle/shove yourself out as above.
- The most important thing to do is remember not to panic; as the cox if you sound like you know what you are doing then the crew will have faith in you and your escape will be easier. A panicking cox will frighten the crew and they will ignore your instructions and try and do things themselves.
Acknowledgements
The last section was originally written by Tom Baker. Thanks to Jack Plummer, Anu Dudhia, and Theresa Kevorkian for proof-reading and advice.
