UPDATES
Information on Safety, Scheduling and Other Issues of particular Interest to NRR Rowers. 

REVISED 10/5/2011

On 10/2/2011, the bike and run segments of the Red Bank Triathlon were cancelled. However, the swim portion has been re-scheduled to start at 8:30 AM (originally was  7 am). Please review the now up-to-date info below. 

8:30 to 10 AM on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8th
Rowing Restricted during the open swim sponsored by organizers of the  RED BANK TRIATHLON

Because swimmers will be crossing directly in front of the NRR entrance, we will not be able to get out to row or come back in while they are in the water.

According to Triathlon representative Jamie Thomas - The swim will start at 8:30AM at Irwin's Marine and follow the shoreline to the Oyster Point then take a straight line back to Marine Park.Some Iron Man Triathletes will do a double loop. (the black triangle on map offers a rough visual of swimmers' route)  All swimmers should be out of the river by 10AM.

Dockmasters will be on shore at NRR to remind rowers not to launch during the 8:30-10AM time period. Kayakers will be situated around the perimeter of swim area to help keep all boaters from crossing into it.

Your options?
1. Row early and be back on shore by 8:30 AM. Please be advised that if you choose this option and do not get back by 8:30, you are likely to be stopped outside the swim area and have to wait there on the water for an hour before getting back in. Give yourself plenty of time.

2. Launch by 8:30 AM and do not return to the area until swim has ended at 10. When leaving the site, you will need to row straight across toward the north side of the river and then head east, crossing back over to the south side once you are past the swim area.

3. Start your row after 10 and stay out for as long or short a time as you’d like.

4. Don’t row at all during the open swim.

Rowing Restrictions for Saturday 9/24
Rumson Boat Race Limits Access to Navesink River this Saturday, Sept. 24
6 am - 12 noon.

Please Stay on the West End of the River this Saturday Morning
Due to activity scheduled to take place on the Navesink River during the morning of Saturday, September 24, NRR rowers are being asked to restrict their rowing to waters West of red buoy #20, located at the end of Blossom Cove (1st buoy past the Osprey's nest). see map

What activity?  The 2011 Rumson Boat Race - a collegiate rowing event -is planned for Saturday morning, September 24th.  Men's and Women's Varsity and JV eights from Army, Drexel, Rutgers and Villanova will be competing on a 1 mile course - beginning in the vicinity of Bon Jovi's house in Middletown and ending across from Victory Park in Rumson. Read more about this year's Race.
 
Why Restrict Us? - Throughout this event, the Navesink will be crowded with boats (both people and engine-powered) all going opposite the regular traffic pattern, most unfamiliar with the river, and none expecting to see non-racing rowers on/around "their" race course.  It will be safer for all concerned if we stay out of the area being used for the race.

Where You Can Row, . . . Unlike last year, when we asked NRR members not to go out at all, this year you are free to:

• row the 3-mile circuit from NRR to buoy 20 and back,
• do pieces in Blossom Cove,
• go upstream towards the Parkway (if the tide is high or coming in)
• or any variation on the above.

Just stay away from the race staging area and race course.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
 

AFTER HURRICANE IRENE

8/27/2011

EARLY SITE PHOTOS

HURRICANE IRENE UPDATE

NRR WILL SHUT DOWN FRIDAY EVENING and remain closed until the morning after the hurricane passes (currently looks like this will be Monday). This means (obviously) that there will be no rowing on Saturday or Sunday, and possibly none on Monday.

It also means there will be no ON-WATER TRYOUT for fall competitive crew on Sunday August 28. The youth scheduled to do the tryout they missed last weekend will do 5K erg tests only – at Hammer House, The water portion will be rescheduled based on when most rowers/coaches are available during the week or pushed back to Sept 3. Youth involved will receive a separate email with details.

PRIVATE BOAT OWNERS, we recommend that you TAKE YOUR BOATS HOME for safe-keeping through the storm. Although we will do all we can to protect boats from wind and water damage at the NRR site, we clearly cannot guarantee that damage still will not occur. If you choose to leave your boat at NRR through the storm, you would be doing so at your own risk.

STORM PREPARATION PLANNED FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 26 beginning at 5 PM. Help from NRR rowers will be needed and much appreciated as we:
...Rope down all boats
...Bring launches off the water and onto higher ground
...Put away or tie down anything that could be picked up and tossed around by the wind (chairs, tables, tents, slings
...Cover up the opening of the new oar shed.
And more.

HOW TO GET ON AN NRR COMPETITVE CREW -
AND WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF YOU ONCE YOU DO:
You'll find the answers in the NRR Youth Competitive Rowing Manual.
Please download a copy
It is required reading for all potential youth competitors and their parents.

Traffic Patterns Matter

Things to avoid when rowing: letting go of the oars . . . hitting buoys . . . running into other rowers (and I don't mean saying "Hi; how ya doin'; what a beautiful day" when you meet).

The run-ins you don't want to have are the nerve-jangling, bone-jarring collisions that occur when two boats going in opposite directions end up in the same space, sending rowers into the water and damaging boats or oars, sometimes even rendering them unrowable. While this doesn't happen often, it does happen.

Near misses also occur and can be almost as upsetting. And in every instance, one boat was where it should not have been - travelling against the established traffic patterns. See map.

Sticking to known traffic patterns helps ensure the safety of all rowers - and also makes rowing on the Navesink more enjoyable. Just imagine how stressful it would be if you never knew where you might encounter other rowers or from which direction they might come.

• Go East (towards the Oceanic Bridge in Rumson) on the South (Fair Haven) side of the river.
• Cross the river perpendicular to the shoreline (don't angle across).
• Go West (back toward Red Bank) on the North (Middletown) side.
• Upon your return to the waters across from the Red Bank boat mooring field - slow down before the end of the rock wall and be on the lookout for rowers taking lessons.
• Do not return to the site along the same corridor (between boat mooring field and Red Bank shore) that rowers take when they leave the site.
• AND PLEASE! Do not come in at full speed or anything close to it.