Practice Parent Training

Recommended Gear

• Rubber or neoprene boots• Flashlight, preferably a hands free type• Outerwear for the weather• Baseball cap or knit cap (Seasonal)• Apparel that will be exposed to mud, water,

grass, etc.• Coffee!!!!!! Or water.

Practice Parent

• Minimum of 2 practice parents per practice• Arrive 15-30 minutes prior to practice• Park in designated area and take 1 vehicle to

the boathouse• Sign in at the dock master's office. Estimate

number of rowers• Drive to boathouse• Park at 2nd to last gazebo

Entrance to AYB

Boathouse

Parent 1

• Your priority is the rowers 1st, coaches 2nd

• Open both doors of boathouse• Light switches are directly to the right and marked• Retrieve 3 shoe baskets and radios(located in

cabinet in chargers) to the rear of the boathouse• Move the “duck” gates from the rower’s dock and

place the shoe baskets , stacked on the dock .

Parent 1

• Take the radios to parent 2 and help with the coaches launches.

• After the launches are ready and the rower’s have launched, move the shoe basket out of the way, but still on the dock.

Rower’s dock

Parent 2

• Unlock shed• Install stern plugs in the launches that will be

utilized• Load the launches with the following items:

Equipment for launches

• 2 bags of life jackets• 2 throwable PFD’s ( seat cushions)• ***One crate for designated launch• One paddle• One gas tank

Contents of crate

• Radio turned to channel 72, radios are designated to launches

• Bailer or syphon• Towel• Emergency kit• Water bottle• Bullhorn

Launches

• Training for launches will be provided for all practice parents.

• Practical exercises mandatory• Novice practice parents will always be paired

with a varsity practice parent

Launches

• Install Stern plugs (2nd reminder, yes, it is that important!!)

• Unlock padlocks on launches ( the numbers are very small, reader glasses may be necessary)

• Raise stern mast and turn on launch lights ( if daylight check to make sure they are working properly)

• Lower launch in to the water• Lower motor in to the water

Launches

• Connect gas lines• Start the motor• Load the launches with mandatory equipment• Tie/secure the launch to the dock until the

coaches are ready to launch.• Assist the coaches during launch• Keep the shore radio on you for radio check

Coaches’ Dock

During Practice

• Set out slings, a set for each shell• One towel per sling• Set up hose (Seasonal)• Monitor the radio and water traffic (important

both day and evening practices, but imperative when the it is dark)

Rowers and coach return

• Parent 1- is encouraged to “catch” the 1st shell to the dock ( this assists the rowers and prevents damage to the shells)

• Place the shoe basket towards the middle of the dock

• Clear out of the way of the rowers• Help Parent 2 with the coaches’ launches

Rowers and Coaches return

• Parent 2 – help the coaches land/dock the launches

• Raise the motors prior to reeling the launches out of the water

• Retrieve and stow equipment in the shed• Remove stern plugs• Lower and turn off mast light• Log usage in the log book

Rowers and Coaches return

• Parent 2- secure the lock on the shed (right to left in the hasp so the numbers are not upside down)

• Return the radios to the charger

Practice conclusion

• Ensure everything is turned off and secure• Note any maintenance actions• Sign out at the dock master’s office• Make sure ALL rowers have been picked up

Scheduling

• For availability email Donna Guertler @• PracticeParent@greatbridgecrew.org• Cell- (757)287-6660• The schedule is posted on the calendar at :• http://www.greatbridgecrew.org/gbcrew/

calendar.html