Frequently Asked QuestionsHere are some of the questions that are asked most often about the sport of rowing in Columbia, South Carolina and why it should be developed and supported.
- What is the Columbia Rowing Club?
The Columbia Rowing Club - as it is defined in our Constitution - is an organization dedicated to promoting the sport of rowing at all age levels through education, competition, and recreational opportunities in the Columbia, South Carolina area. The Columbia Rowing Club is incorporated in the state of South Carolina and is currently working with the Internal Revenue Service for designation as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. - What is the Broad River Rowing Alliance?
The Broad River Rowing Alliance is an umbrella organization that eventually will oversee all rowing activities on the Broad River. As different organizations are formed such as University, college, and school clubs and varsity teams, BRA will coordinate safety and activities at the Broad River Rowing Facility. - Why do we support rowing?
Rowing offers unique advantages to individual participants, schools, and club teams, and the community. For the individual, rowing provides vigorous exercise for muscles, lungs, circulatory system, and balance. For schools and clubs, rowing offers a sport for men and women of all ages that promote teamwork and the excitement of healthy competition. Rowing enhances the stature of the community, giving residents the opportunity to row by bringing rowers and their fans to the area for races against local teams, and by increasing tourism through regattas and competitive events. - What kinds of boats are rowed?
Boats are called either boats or shells and are built for one person (singles), two persons (pairs and doubles), four persons (fours and quads), or eight persons (eights). Two- and four-person boats can differ in design depending on whether each rower rows with one oar (sweep rowing pairs and fours), or rows with two oars (sculling doubles and quads). In competitive rowing, two- and four-person boats may or may not have a coxswain, an extra person in the boat who does not row, but who directs the rowers. Singles never have a coxswain and eights always have a coxswain. In racing, it is traditional for the rowers in the winning boat to throw their coxswain in the water after the race. The Coxswain seldom argues since the rowers are usually much bigger than the coxswain. Eights are the most powerful and majestic of all racing shells. Their size and the precise coordination of all eight rowers create a sight that is easily appreciated by those seeing a race of these large boats for the first time. - Isn't rowing expensive?
The initial cost of shells is the biggest expense. Used singles can often be purchased for less than $1000, while new eights may cost as much as $20,000. With proper care, shell maintenance is relatively low, and they can be used for many years. All shells used by clubs and schools are usually owned by the respective organizations after having been donated by a variety of supporting public agencies, individuals, and corporations. - Where does the Columbia Rowing Club row?
Columbia has an almost ideal site on the Broad River above the diversion dam near the I-20 Bridge and the Riverside Golf Center (click here for directions). A parking lot, road, staging area and dock are available at the Broad River Rowing Facility. Access at this point is restricted to members of the Columbia Rowing Club and to those taking out canoes and kayaks after a trip down river from the Harbison State Forest landing. - What kinds of opportunities for competition exist?
Competitive opportunities abound for races between individuals, school teams and clubs. The U.S. Rowing Association, of which the Columbia Rowing Club is a member, sets rules for conducting races that are nationally sanctioned. Regattas take place every weekend at some site in the southeast during the rowing season from April through November. You can find a list of regattas with CRC participation and club results on this web site. - How is safety maintained?
Safety is our highest priority. To prevent accidents, the Columbia Rowing Club has developed Membership Guidelines that include safety rules that must be carefully observed by all individuals and teams rowing at the Broad River Rowing Facility. Failure to abide by the rules will disqualify a person or team from using the water. Rowing is not a sport for the careless and thoughtless! - What is the future of rowing in Columbia?
The Columbia Rowing Club is working with Richland county officials and engineers to constantly improve boat launching and storage facilities at the site on the Broad River. We try to continuously improve our relationship with local universities, colleges, and schools that are interested in working to organize rowing teams for either male or female students. Adults with rowing experience are invited to participate in individual and masters competitive activities, as well as to offer training to non-rowers of all ages. Some communities offer programs for special needs such as adaptive rowing classes for handicapped persons. In time, we hope to offer such programs here. We have ideal conditions for developing a wide range of rowing experiences for youth and adult, men and women alike. - What do we want to achive in 2006?
* Increase CRC fellowship centered on rowing.
Means for achieving: Combine monthly general meetings with community rows on Saturday.
* Sustainable growth of CRC. Objective: 20% growth in 2006.
Means for achieving: Community rows, programs for junior rowers, civic groups, college summer membership, etc, continue to increase/ improve available equipment.
* Boathouse organization completed.
Means for achieving: Set priority list and calendar dates to include as many members as possible.
* Purchase of new equipment by June 2006.
Means for achieving: Review usage of equipment for last year and prioritize items based on usage numbers from the log book and members needs/requests.
* Invigorate and utilize committee structure.
Means for achieving: Encourage members to join committees and facilitate use of reports to CRC board as a means of empowering committee work.
* Flood Plan.
Means for achieving: Complete a working phone tree (and email) for flood emergencies and communicate plan to members.
* Evaluate CRC’s relationship with Carolina crew and continue if deemed mutually valuable to both parties.
Means for achieving: Maintain open communication with crew and regular reports on progress.
