If you need more information about the city, names of other
coaches, etc., please contact Oak Ridge
Rowing Association at 865-482-6538
by phone or by writing to:
The Oak Ridge Rowing Association
c/o Spring Training
P. O. Box 4384
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-4384
Motel information is available from the Oak
Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau
3302 S. Tulane Ave.
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Phone:
865-482-7821
Toll Free U.S./Canada:
800-887-3429
Fax:
865-481-3543
E-mail:
orcvb@oakridgevisitor.com Website:
http://www.oakridgevisitor.com
The Oak Ridge Rowing Venue
The Boathouse Area
The Oak Ridge Boathouse must be locked overnight and when unattended during the day. Coaches will be given keys to the boathouse and launch docks upon checking in with the Boathouse Manager. Keys should be returned upon completion of training. Visiting crews are welcome to use the bathrooms in our boathouse (there are no showers) and available floor space for morning warm-ups. Oak Ridge programs have priority to Boathouse areas when present. ORRA's programs have priority to Boathouse areas on the following schedule:Oak Ridge rowing program schedule:
3:30-6:30 PM M-F, Practice Juniors
6:30-8:00 PM T,R Adult Learn-To-Row
9:00-11:00 AM- T,R Open Row Recreational Women
6:30-8:00 PM T,R Open Row Recreational Masters
10:00 AM -12:00 PM Saturday Open Row Recreational Masters
6:00-8:00 PM T,R Practice Competetive Masters (Women)
5:30-7:00 AM - M,W,F Practice Competetive Masters (Men)
The boathouse bays and apron may be used for stretching, etc. when not in use by ORRA programs (see above schedule). ORRA's exercise room/Erg Room are not available to visiting athletes. Guest crews may not store their shells or oars inside the ORRA boathouse. Very limited space is available for rigging chests inside the boathouse. Visiting crews store their shells in an open grassy area on the edge of a sheltered embayment of the river. Security has never been a problem in the past and we certainly hope that situation will continue through this spring training season. The ORRA's Erg room has video equipment to review practice videos. The use of this equipment should be coordinated with Boathouse Manager.
Bus Drop-off/ Pick-up and Parking Area
Do not stop busses in front of the Boathouse/ restaurant. Bus parking and drop off area is located in the back of the main parking lot close to the playground area. Please respect the restaurant parking area, we have a good neighbor relationship and we would like to keep it.
Coaches should be aware that local merchants have experienced instances of shop lifting of food by large hungry athlete-types during spring training. The Oak Ridge authorities have informed ORRA that persons engaging in shoplifting will be held accountable for these actions. Shoplifting by visitors, whether or not associated with rowing, puts a bad light on our spring training program and detracts from ORRA's relationship with the community. Please help us by asking your rowers to be sure to pay for all goods and services received.
The Docks & The Marina Inlet
(The docks are numbered from east to west)
The Oak Ridge Rowing Venue works very hard to provide quality docks for use by visiting crews. Oak Ridge RA is working toward providing 5 15'x60'x8' docks for launching into the embayment.
Oak Ridge RAs Crews have priority to docks #1 and #2 at 3:30 daily.
Dock #1 is constructed for 4's/2's/singles in size. Please do not use this dock for 8's as your shell could be damaged.
You may use Dock #2 (ORRA's 8's dock.) when not being used by ORRA's Crews.
Docks #3-#5 are for your use. If a problem occurs with these docks, please let the Boathouse Manager know.
The Marina inlet is a no wake zone. Coaching launches must obey the no wake rule inside the embayment and outside of the embayment when other crews are on the racecourse. Please cut power when in the embayment. The fine from TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency) is $130.00. Be extra careful and alert when in the marina embayment.
When entering and exiting the marina embayment area the left-hand rule applies to boat traffic. Coaches and coxswains are expected to follow this pattern. Coxswains should look both ways prior to leaving embayment.
Coxswains exiting the embayment and going north (upstream to the left) should travel directly across the course, and then turn left to travel upstream. This allows the least amount of time on the racing course. Coxswains returning to the embayment and returning from the south (downstream) should stay on the right hand side until they are directly across from embayment, Check upstream for passing traffic then cross course.
In summary, safe navigation requires Left-Hand Rule inside the marina embayment and Right-Hand Rule outside marina embayment area.
Shell Trailer Parking
Prior to parking and unloading of trailers, check-in with ORRA Spring Break Coordinator or Oak Ridge RA's Boathouse Manager is required. Contact numbers are listed on the front door of Oak Ridge RAs boathouse. Response time will be within 20 min. Boat trailer parking will be along Houseboat Row. Do not block marked marina resident parking. No long-term parking of trailers in main parking area in front of the Oak Ridge RA's Boathouse will be allowed. Please respect the neighboring restaurant parking area, we have a good neighbor relationship and we would like to keep it.
Shell Storage
Visiting crews store their shells in an open grassy area on the edge of a sheltered embayment of the river. Security has never been a problem in the past and we certainly hope that situation will continue through this spring training season. Boat storage will be in the grass area to the southwest of the Boathouse. The grass field along Melton Lake drive on the west bank of the embayment can become very wet and soft. As a result, no truck and trailer traffic will be allowed in this area during the Spring Break training period. Shells should be carried to this area and placed on slings or stands. Please provide enough slings or stand for your equipment. Trash in your area of boat storage needs to be policed daily. Trash cans will be provided.
Greenway Clearance
The "Melton Lake Greenway" (walking path) that runs through the venue is for citizens of Oak Ridge please be aware of their presence and leave room for pedestrians to pass. Please keep shells at least 4 feet off greenway.The Marina Embayment Area
Common Waterway Rules
Please supply a practice schedule to the ORRA's Boathouse Office. Your schedule is a guide for our volunteers taking care of the boathouse facilities as well as a notice for other coaches on the venue. Practice schedules need to be posted 12 hours prior in the ORRA's Boathouse Office to alert other crews of scrimmage and seat racing plans. Coaches are asked to use caution on the course when training crews are scrimmaging or carrying out test pieces on the racecourse. Coaches should check the board each day to allow for scrimmage and seat racing concerns.
Main Course Area
The main course area is marked on the east shore (far side) and is intended for running timed pieces and scrimmages. Please organize your workouts so that crews are spending minimum time in the course area unless actually using it for pieces. Crews rowing pieces south (down stream) toward the finish tower have priority. Other crews in the immediate area must observe the no wake policy. Be aware of crews coming behind you when on the course. Move off the course if necessary. When traveling north (upstream) along main course, stay to the east (far) shore and outside of orange buoyed area. The buoy-line set in the center lane provides a guideline for crews doing timed racing pieces.
NO TURNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COURSE. Continue rowing downstream until you are off the course and then execute the turn to reverse direction.
Pass slower crews to the left. Make an audible or visual signal prior to passing a crew or coach launch. Coaches should be aware of wake. Look well ahead and cut your wake early. Coxswains should try to follow right-hand shoreline. The right-hand rule applies to this area. No sitting or doing drill work in the buoyed area of main course. You may do drills going north (up stream) on the east side of river. The preferred drill area for Novice crews is located south of the ORRA's Finish Tower.
The South training area (by steam plant) Coxswains should try to stay between buoyed areas. There are several shallow areas and this will assure you of better water. The right-hand rule applies to the area between the buoys. Do not cut an inside corner due to a hazardous blind spot. Currently there is a large tree stump protruding above the water. Watch for crews sitting and doing drill work in this area. This area can be used for seat racing; the straight area in front of the steam plant is ideal.
The Northern training area (above bridge at start) North of the bridge is an ideal place to do your steady state and drill workouts. Coxswains should follow right-hand shoreline. The right-hand rule applies to this area. Watch for crews sitting and doing drill work in this area. This area can be also be used for seat racing.