| Club Rowng Safety Adviser | Harry Clark | 07808 118114 |
| Events Rowing Safety Adviser | Colin Percy | 07985 003304 |
| Captain | Tom Jackson | 07538 816018 |
| Chair of Rowing Committee | Martin Hulse | 07720 896401 |
Introduction
We row on a big, tidal river, full of interest and variety, sometimes a challenge, never the same one day to the next and always fascinating. It’s a great river for our sport. Yes, there are hazards, but if you read the material on this page and follow up the links, you will be well equipped to deal with whatever the Tyne might throw at you.
We row on a big, tidal river, full of interest and variety, sometimes a challenge, never the same one day to the next and always fascinating. It’s a great river for our sport. Yes, there are hazards, but if you read the material on this page and follow up the links, you will be well equipped to deal with whatever the Tyne might throw at you.
Swim test and capsize drill for new members at West Denton Leisure Centre
(note the swimming pool is now closed)
British Rowing's RowSafe advice
Follow the link www.britishrowing.org/about-us/policies-guidance/rowsafe to check out British Rowing's RowSafe water safety advice, revised and re-issued every year. There is no longer a printed copy available. Everyone who rows (or is thinking of taking up rowing) should read this guide, starting with those sections most relevant to them.
River Tyne Rowing Club Safety Code
Familiarise yourself with the Code - downloadable below or at www.portoftyne.co.uk/marine-information/resources. It was written in 2010 by people who row at the various clubs based at Newburn, with assistance from other water sports and river-related organisations. It was updated and revised by Port of Tyne in 2021 and reissued then.
The Code will tell you what you need to know about local conditions on the Tyne and the guidance we have prepared to help keep you safe on this river: which side to row on, where our training and beginners areas are and what hazards to look out for and avoid.
As the maps illustrate, the Tyne upstream of the club becomes very rural, pretty and tree-lined (though still with some hazards); downstream it begins to get more industrial (though nothing compared with what it was a 100 years ago) - with a changing waterfront, bridges and mudbanks to negotiate and lots of wildlife especially birds, and also increasingly inquisitive seals.
Tyne ARC - Safety Policy
The policy statement was published in 2018. As at October 2024 it is under review, but should remain much as it is now with some updating of officer names, etc. You can download it here as a pdf.
Tyne ARC - Risk Assessment
Preparation of a risk assessment for rowing activities is an established part of safety work at all clubs sitting under British Rowing (see above). Ours is reviewed annually and has just been updated as at 3 September 2024. The risk assessment feeds in to the preparation and regular review of the club's Safety Rules (see next section) as well as day-to-day operation of the club. The recently updated version is downloadable here as a pdf.
Tyne ARC - Safety Rules
All members are asked to read the club’s Safety Rules We’ve tried to keep these simple, sensible and to a minimum but we do ask members to follow these basics, even if they are using their own boat and equipment. It's in everyone’s best interests. In particular, the document gives very clear guidelines on competency and related levels of supervision required for water outings. You can download the Safety Rules as a pdf here.
Launch driving
We currently train new volunteers in-house. We are moving towards requiring all launch drivers to have RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling certificates,
Event risk assessments and safety plans
These are used at all rowing events on the Tyne run or hosted by the club at Newburn. Just as an example, you can download as a pdf the latest version as prepared for Rutherford Head on 30 November 2024 here.
Online incident reporting
If you have an incident or witness one please use British Rowing's online incident reporting system - go to https://incidentreporting.britishrowing.org. This is not about blame or shame: it's to help the club monitor risks and hazards and if necessary take action to improve safety. If we don’t know what accidents or near misses are happening to you, we can’t do anything to help.
Need more?
(note the swimming pool is now closed)
British Rowing's RowSafe advice
Follow the link www.britishrowing.org/about-us/policies-guidance/rowsafe to check out British Rowing's RowSafe water safety advice, revised and re-issued every year. There is no longer a printed copy available. Everyone who rows (or is thinking of taking up rowing) should read this guide, starting with those sections most relevant to them.
River Tyne Rowing Club Safety Code
Familiarise yourself with the Code - downloadable below or at www.portoftyne.co.uk/marine-information/resources. It was written in 2010 by people who row at the various clubs based at Newburn, with assistance from other water sports and river-related organisations. It was updated and revised by Port of Tyne in 2021 and reissued then.
The Code will tell you what you need to know about local conditions on the Tyne and the guidance we have prepared to help keep you safe on this river: which side to row on, where our training and beginners areas are and what hazards to look out for and avoid.
River Tyne - Safety Map
The Tyne Safety Map has recently been revised and you can download it below. It is over two pages - they print best at A3. The two sheets are:
* West sheet - Wylam to Blaydon, including the club at Newburn
* East sheet - Blaydon to Newcastle city centre
* West sheet - Wylam to Blaydon, including the club at Newburn
* East sheet - Blaydon to Newcastle city centre
As the maps illustrate, the Tyne upstream of the club becomes very rural, pretty and tree-lined (though still with some hazards); downstream it begins to get more industrial (though nothing compared with what it was a 100 years ago) - with a changing waterfront, bridges and mudbanks to negotiate and lots of wildlife especially birds, and also increasingly inquisitive seals.
Tyne ARC - Safety Policy
The policy statement was published in 2018. As at October 2024 it is under review, but should remain much as it is now with some updating of officer names, etc. You can download it here as a pdf.
Tyne ARC - Risk Assessment
Preparation of a risk assessment for rowing activities is an established part of safety work at all clubs sitting under British Rowing (see above). Ours is reviewed annually and has just been updated as at 3 September 2024. The risk assessment feeds in to the preparation and regular review of the club's Safety Rules (see next section) as well as day-to-day operation of the club. The recently updated version is downloadable here as a pdf.
Tyne ARC - Safety Rules
All members are asked to read the club’s Safety Rules We’ve tried to keep these simple, sensible and to a minimum but we do ask members to follow these basics, even if they are using their own boat and equipment. It's in everyone’s best interests. In particular, the document gives very clear guidelines on competency and related levels of supervision required for water outings. You can download the Safety Rules as a pdf here.
Launch driving
We currently train new volunteers in-house. We are moving towards requiring all launch drivers to have RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling certificates,
Event risk assessments and safety plans
These are used at all rowing events on the Tyne run or hosted by the club at Newburn. Just as an example, you can download as a pdf the latest version as prepared for Rutherford Head on 30 November 2024 here.
Online incident reporting
If you have an incident or witness one please use British Rowing's online incident reporting system - go to https://incidentreporting.britishrowing.org. This is not about blame or shame: it's to help the club monitor risks and hazards and if necessary take action to improve safety. If we don’t know what accidents or near misses are happening to you, we can’t do anything to help.
Need more?
Queries? Something to say to us on water safety? Please don’t hesitate to contact the Club Rowing Safety Adviser, Harry Clark, or the Events Rowing Safety Adviser, Colin Percy, both at safety@tynearc.com.
This page last updated 31-10-24
This page last updated 31-10-24
