Safety for coxes and steerers

This section provides specific safety guidance for coxes and bow steerers of coxless boats.  Before taking charge of a boat, all new coxes/steerers must read this page and the page on general safety.

Coxing and steering on the River Cam is great fun. Although the river is narrow and winding in places, it is safe provided that outings are properly planned and that safety is taken seriously.

Why accidents happen

On a narrow, busy river like the Cam, the vast majority of rowing accidents begin with one simple problem: someone does not see a developing hazard early enough. Maintaining an effective lookout is the first line of defence. Once a hazard has been spotted, there is usually time to slow down, change course, or communicate with other crews. If it is spotted too late, the options become increasingly limited.

Poor lookout takes many forms. A cox may become focused on the crew instead of looking ahead, a coach may be concentrating on technique rather than the surrounding traffic, or a sculler may spend too long without checking what is ahead. 

Most collisions are not caused by a single mistake, but by a chain of small errors. A crew travelling at speed meets another crew on a bend, a cox notices them a few seconds later than they should have, both crews make slight steering corrections, and suddenly there is no longer enough room to avoid contact. In hindsight, the collision often appears inevitable, but it could usually have been prevented by recognising the developing situation just a little earlier.

Inexperience is another common factor. Novice coxes and steerers are still learning to judge distances, anticipate hazards and understand how quickly situations develop on the water. They may know the navigation rules but lack the experience to recognise when a situation is becoming unsafe. Even coxes who are no longer beginners may not yet have the judgement needed to manage a busy river confidently, particularly when traffic, weather or stream conditions are more challenging than usual.

For this reason, many accidents are ultimately the result of planning rather than boat handling. A session leader who places an inexperienced cox in a congested part of the river, or who sends crews out without considering the conditions, increases the likelihood that a minor mistake will develop into an accident. By matching the experience of the cox and crew to the conditions, choosing an appropriate route, and encouraging an active lookout throughout the outing, most incidents can be avoided long before they become emergencies.

Positioning

Good positioning is key to avoiding hazards. On the River Cam, imagine a central line dividing the river. If any part of your boat, including the oars, is on the wrong side during a collision, you are likely to bear partial or full responsibility.

This does not mean you must never cross the centre line. You may need to do so to overtake, spin, park, avoid obstacles, or just because you want to. However, if you cross the centre line you must be completely certain that it is safe.  

You need to be able to avoid all obstacles, even oncoming boats, on your side of the river.  Knowing that you are "in the right" is very little consolation to you if you are involved in a collision.  Staying within your normal navigation zone, understanding traffic patterns, and being alert to blind bends or narrow sections will reduce risk. Take extra care when approaching corners, cross over points and busy areas.

Communication

Effective communication is a key part of hazard awareness. Give clear instructions within your boat, warn other river users when necessary, and listen for calls from other crews.  Confident and timely communication can prevent incidents before they develop.

If in doubt, shout!

Location

The river is generally quieter upstream of Cutter Ferry Bridge, and this is a good place for less experienced coxes/steerers.  The traffic tends to move slowly as this is a boating area with a continuous docking zone alongside the boathouses, extending to Fitzwilliam Boathouse. The river in this section is also relatively shallow, becoming deeper further downstream. These conditions make the area upstream of Cutter Ferry Bridge well-suited for less experienced scullers.

Further downstream, traffic is faster and conditions can be more challenging.  Particular caution is needed below Ditton Corner, where there are tight bends, narrow sections, crossover points, and the possibility of crews travelling at racing speed around corners.  Do not go there unless it is safe and appropriate for your level of experience.

Bank party support

It is always safer to have a bank party - someone cycling alongside to provide support. Ideally, this should be an experienced coach, but any informed helper can assist. Crews are encouraged to take turns supporting each other in this role.  The bank party support should read this page.  A bank party is there to help but is not responsible for steering, and there will be sections where they cannot see what lies ahead.

Conditions

Ultimately, the cox/steerer must ensure that the outing is appropriate for both the conditions and their level of experience. Conditions can vary greatly - a busy evening outing with poor light, strong wind, and heavy traffic presents very different risks compared to a quiet daytime paddle on The Reach in calm conditions.  Always assess the situation carefully and make conservative decisions when in doubt.

Competency framework for coxes

If you are a beginner cox, then your first few outings will be with an experienced coach, and your outings thereafter must include a bank party.  Once you have reached a reasonable level of experience it will be up to your coach and the captain of the crew to organise the outing plan, including whether the outing needs a bank party.

Competency framework for steerers of coxless boats

We want to match the demands of each outing to the steerers level of experience, and make sure that they have the right level of support from the bank or from their coach.  This framework sets out guidelines on where and when members can steer a coxless boat based on their experience and skills, as well as any safety measures they need to follow.  Coaches should apply the framework below to assess their level of competence.

Competence in one class of boat might not translate to other classes of boat.  Your coach will tell you when you have reached a level of proficiency for the class of boat. In a single scull you may be able to break rhythm, pause and take a good look around every few strokes. In a crew boat you need the skill to look right around, while keeping in rhythm, sometimes every three strokes, or more often where there is a threat. 

Some time alone in a single scull in the area around the boathouses is the best way to learn.  Once you are confident and self-sufficient, you can do this on your own without a coach.  Pick a time when the conditions are good and the river is quiet, and do not row downstream of Cutter Ferry Bridge if you are a beginner.  Make sure you know how to manage a single scull on land.  If you are planning on boating alone, make sure you know how to get the boat out of and into the boathouse. Get a coach to show you how to do this - do not try to work it out yourself.

You must be able to bow steer a double scull to a very high level before you row as bow steerer in a quad (regardless of the presence of a bank party). Some experience at coxing is also preferable before you bow steer a quad.