DWRA BOATHOUSE GUIDELINES AND RULES

It is expected that the boathouse, grounds and equipment will be treated with special care at all times.

RACING SHELLS AND BLADES

DWRA Club Fleet
1 Hudson Elite Mid Weight Bow Coxed Four, Concept2 Oars
2 Hudson Elite Mid-Weight Quads, Concept2 Oars
3 Hudson Elite Mid-Weight Doubles, Concept2 Oars
1 Filippi Elite Heavy Weight Single, Concept2 Oars                                                                                                          1 Hudson Elite Mid-weight 1X  Concept2 Oars

Private Shells are not to be rowed by club members without direct permission of the owner.  Ever.

Private Shell Storage: *Beginning April 1, rack space for Full Members wishing to house private boats and blades is available at an annual rate of $300 . It is recommended that all private boat owners purchase personal blades and required safety equipment.  Storage is confined to boats being actively rowed. No mothballing allowed.

Blades are available for each boat. The oar handles and coordinating storage racks are color coded with tape. The bottom rack stores private blades. Please maintain the storage order for the blades at all times. Private oars should be marked as such by the owner.

1. All rows, club and private, must be logged in the book located by the door nearest the canal. Include the date, departure and return time, the boat name, and where you rowed. Upon your return mark where you rowed and if there was any incident or damage to report.

2. Club boats may not be rowed by  Development Camp registrants outside of regular program times without the direct permission and direction of a coach, for each practice session.

3. Members may not row with  non members nor give lessons in a club boat. There are several Friends and Family days scheduled for this purpose.

4. The coaching launches are not for member use. Emergency situations do not apply.

5. All boats are restricted to rowing only when there is a combined water and air temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Safety:
All boats must have proper navigational lighting and safety equipment before shoving off.
A. Bow and stern lights
B. Personal blinker *Each rower is responsible for purchasing and maintaining a2  personal blinkers with batteries. No exceptions.
C. Walkie talkie or cell phone
D. ALL rowers must carry a €śdistress€ť whistle, walkie talkie or phone and life jacket when rowing unaccompanied by a coach launch.

Traffic patterns are to be observed at all times, both in the canals and on the river.
A. In the DWRA canals and Conner Creek: Hug the shoreline on your left shoulder.
B. Detroit River: From the lighthouse to the Belle Isle Bridge. Remain further from shore rowing down river (heading toward the Belle Isle Bridge.) Hug the shore when rowing up river (toward Grosse Pointe).
C. Lake St. Clair: Remain near shore. The water can be very shallow along the Grosse Pointe Shoreline, and there can be very large rocks that can damage a skeg.

Daily Care

1. All shells shall be wiped down at the completion of practice with rags provided for this purpose. Hang wet rags on the clothesline located behind the 4X shells sterns.
2. Blades should be returned to the oar rack ON THE CORRECT SHELF FOR THE BOAT USED. There are camps and lessons that use the same oars and it is very confusing to novice rowers when the oars are all mixed up. Also, shuffling the oars about on the racks damages the oars!
3. ALL ROWERS  TAKE TURNS WASHING BOAT RAGS. Clean, folded rags must be returned to the boathouse the following day.
4. The coxswain or stroke person of each shell at each practice is responsible for inspecting the boat before and after each practice for loose components, damage or concerns. Damage or concerns about a boat should be documented at the end of practice. The report is to be turned in personally or emailed to the Equipment Manager.
5. All rowers remain after practice or lessons until all equipment is returned to the boathouse and the dock gates are closed and locked.
6. Members using the shower and bathroom shall use reasonable judgment in maintaining a clean, uncluttered environment for the next member.
7. It is expected of all members and appreciated of visitors to take an active interest in the general upkeep of the boathouse and grounds. Picking up trash and occasionally sweeping the boathouse floors is a small task that makes a big difference.

Damage Responsibility
All DWRA shells, club and private, are rowed and maintained with great care and respect. Damage to the boathouse or equipment, any club or private boat because of neglect by a member or their guest requires that they assume the financial burden of any insurance deductibles, travel expenses and any other expenses related to the transport and repair of the damaged equipment to the satisfaction of DWRA or the private boat owner.

*Important
The Lawrence Fisher Mansion is owned and maintained by the community of Hare Krishna know as Detroit International Society of Krishna Consciousness. They are our landlords. The buildings and property are considered a temple of global importance and as such all inhabitants, renters and visitors must adhere to the religious restriction that bans the presence or consumption of alcohol or meat of any kind. Please adhere to this small request.

Board and Officers

Lisa Gage: Director / President / Rower

Renee Adams Schulte:  Co-Founder / Director / Treasurer / Coach / Rower

Susan Chapman: Director/ Secretary

Feel free to contact us if you are having difficulty navigating the site.

We are so very proud to be celebrating DWRA’s 10th Anniversary!  We certainly have had our trials, but as they say, adversity builds character and strength. We certainly have that. You can see it in our members.