Weather events happen that can cause safety concerns for masters rowing clubs. We got htis quesiton on the Masters
Rowing International Facebook group link
What is your club’s policy about rowing in extreme heat?
The answers were very helpful. Note some use Farenheit and others use Centigrade.
Converstion page.
Some remarked that they use common sense – but that it’s not very common for people to be sensible!
US Rowing has developed a Heat Safety Guidelines document published in November 2024. Designed to help identify and mitigate heat illness risk in our sport. The guidelines were developed from the World Rowing Heat Safety Guidelines, the recommendations of the Stringer Institute, and with the USRowing Medical and Safety Committees.
Rowing Australia Policies also has published Extreme Heat Recommendations. These apply to regattas but could easily be adapted for club use. It uses a helpful measure called the Heat Index
The Heat Index shall be determined from the Heat Index Table enclosed by using the Ambient Temperature and the Relative Humidity measured at the course at the same time. For example, if the Temperature is 35°C and the Relative Humidity is 40%, the Heat Index is a value of 37. If the Temperature is 35°C and the Relative Humidity is 60%, the Heat Index is a value of 45.
A hat and a water bottle were requirements for other clubs – some just said they could not allow rowing without a water bottle.
