Spring Training Rules

Below you will find information and guidelines to ensure your crews' safety and to maximize your training experience in Oak Ridge. Please review the following information before your arrival in Oak Ridge. The Oak Ridge Rowing Association looks forward to your visit.

Shell Trailer Parking-

Prior to parking and unloading of trailers, check-in with ORRA Spring Break Coordinator or ORRA Boathouse Manager is required. Contact numbers are listed on the front door of ORRA 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 ORRA Boathouse will be allowed. Please respect the restrant parking area, we have a good neighbor relationship and we would like to keep it.

Shell Storage-

Boat storage will be in the grass area to the southwest of the Boathouse. The grass field along Melton Hill 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 durring 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.

Bus Drop-off/ Pick-up and Parking area-

Do not stop busses in front of the Boathouse/ Restraunt. Bus parking and drop off area is located in the back of the main parking lot close to the playground area. Please respect the restrant parking area, we have a good neighbor relationship and we would like to keep it.

The Boathouse Area-

The ORRA 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. ORRA programs have priority to Boathouse areas when present. ORRA rowing program schedule 3:30P.M.- 8:00P.M. Mon-Fri and 10:00A.M.-12:00P.M. on Saturday. A few masters will be going out in singles in the AM. The boathouse bays and apron may be used for stretching, etc. when not in use by ORRA programs. The ORRA programs will use the space for their afternoon junior and masters programs. ORRA boat bays are not to be used for visiting crew storage of equipment, without approval of Boathouse Manager.

The ORRA Erg room equipment for the exclusive use of ORRA membership. This equipment is not available for visiting crew use. The ORRA Erg room is equipped with video equipment to watch video. This equipment may be used if coordinated with Boathouse Manager. The Ergs in this room should be stood and stored during this time.

The Docks- (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. ORRA is working toward provideing 5 13'x60'x8' docks for launching into the embayment. ORRA Crews have priority to docks #1 and #2 at 3:30 daily.

Dock #1 is constructed for 4's/2's/singles in size. Pleas do not use this dock for 8's you shell could become damaged. You may use it when not being used.

Dock #2 ORRA 8's dock. You may use it when not being used.

Dock #3-#5 primary purpose is for your use, if a problem occurs with dock please let ORRA Boathouse Manager know.

Launches-

Gasoline cannot be stored in the Boathouse or Breezeway due to fire codes. A secure storage location will be made available for fuel and launch items.

Launches and crews need to be off the water by 7:00 pm. or 15 min prior to sunset. Unless launches and shells have running lights. For your safety we ask that no training is planned before dawn, after sunset or in dense fog.

It is important to note that the Marina docks are being removed this spring. Launches will have to be emptied and secured daily. Coaching launches must be tied, down and stern at the houseboat docks during the midday break and overnight. The access gate to the docks must be shut and locked at all times.

The Marina Embayment Area-

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 right-hand rule applies to all boat traffic. Coaches and coxswains must be very careful to follow this pattern. Coxswains should look both ways prior to leaving embayment.

Coxswains exiting the embayment and going north (upstream) should travel due east when crossing the course. Then turn north to travel upstream. This allows the least amount of time on the course and hazard zone. Coxswains Returning to the embayment and retuning from the south (downstream) should stay on the right hand side until they are directly across from embayment, Check 500m upstream for passing traffic then cross course.

Common Waterway Rules

Please supply a practice schedule to the ORRA Boathouse office so that it can be posted for our volunteers taking care of the boathouse facilaties. Practice schedules will be posted in the ORRA Office to alert of scrimmage and seat racing concerns. Pass slower crews to the left. Make audible or visual recognition prior to passing to alert crew or coach. 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 buoyed area of main course. You may do drills going north on the east side of river. The preferred drill area for Novice crews is located south of the ORRA Finish Tower.

Main Course Area

The main course area is marked on the east shore 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 doing pieces south have priority no wake policy. Be aware of racing coming behind you when on the course move right if necessary. When traveling north along main course stay to the east shore and outside of orange buoyed area. The buoy-line is to give a guide rail for crews doing timed head-to-head pieces, (i.e. center lane)

NO TURNING IN MIDDLE OF COURSE. Go to the 500m points and look upstream to insure safety.

Southern Training Area (by steam plant)

Coxswains should try to stay between buoyed areas. There are several unseen 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 blind spot and hazard area that can be caused. Watch for crews sitting and doing drill work in this areas. This area can be used for seat racing; the straight area in front of the steam plant is ideal.

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 try to follow right-hand shoreline. The right-hand rule applies to this area. Do not cut an inside corner due to blind spot and hazard area that can be caused. Watch for crews sitting and doing drill work in this area. This area can be used for seat racing; the straight area from bridge north to water plant is ideal.

THANKS FOR CHOOSING OAK RIDGE FOR YOU TRAINING EXPERIENCE, WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THIS TRAINING CAN BE AND THAT YOU HAVE A CHOICE WHERE TO TRAIN.