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Local Weather

Columbus, OH, US

Now
Cloudy
22°F, Windchill: 16°F
Wind: 5 mph E
Humidity: 70%
Visibility: 0 mi
pressure: 30.16 in falling
Sunrise: 7:33 am
Sunset: 5:59 pm
Mon
Snow Showers Late
Hi: 25°F, Low: 20°F
Tue
Snow
Hi: 32°F, Low: 23°F
Welcome

Ladies at the Regatta Ladies at the Regatta

The Greater Columbus Rowing Association (GCRA) is a non-profit, volunteer-based adult organization dedicated to providing its diverse membership with safe sculling and sweep rowing opportunities, from beginner to competitive levels.  GCRA is committed to promoting and fostering an interest in the sport of rowing through its various programs, training, and organized regattas.

GCRA welcomes all to learn more about the sport of rowing. Our goal for this website is to provide a better platform for communicating rowing news and issues. We hope this site becomes a focal point for rowing information, club news and shared rowing experiences, be it pride in performance, GCRA related information, or simply shared joy of rowing the Scioto river. We encourage our members to submit rowing related items for placement on this site.  Include, if appropriate, your best photo of that experience with the article. Submit the articles to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   

 
 
Speakmon 2009 - Largest Ever!
Sunday, 15 November 2009 11:37

 

The 26th Annual Jack Speakmon Memorial Regatta was held on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at Griggs Reservoir in Columbus, Ohio.

This annual regatta has become one of the most popular fall rowing races in the Midwest and also in the United States.  600+ entries were made by 66 teams which represented 10 states.  All races of the regatta took place between 8:30am and 4:30pm on Saturday.  The 2009 Speakmon featured 51 events for high school, collegiate and masters age competitors.  The Speakmon has become one of the top five single-day head style rowing races in the United States.

The Greater Columbus Rowing Association (GCRA) worked closely with the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, the City of Columbus Police Department, the City of Columbus Fire Department, and local rowing clubs for coordination of the event.

Representatives of all City organizations indicate that there were no problems with the event.

A wide variety of local subcontractors were employed to assist with major features of the regatta including shuttles for attendees, bathroom facilities, t-shirts and medal for participants.

 
 
Water Temperature and the Four Oar Rule
Sunday, 04 October 2009 10:02

Griggs Reservoir water temperature will be on the GCRA website. When the Scioto River water temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit or below for seven consecutive days,  the four-oar rule (see below) will be in effect.

 GCRA By-laws state as follows:

 WaterTemperature         Exhaustion/Unconsciousness        Expected Surival

            32.5 ---------------------------<15min.-------------------------------------10 to 45 min.

           32.5 to 40 --------------------15 to 30 min.-----------------------------39 to 90 min.

          40 to 50 ----------------------30 to 60 min.-------------------------------1 to 3 hours

          50 to 60 ----------------------1 to 2 hours --------------------------------1 to 6 hours

 Remember, you don’t have to fall in the water to get hypothermia! Any set of conditions that result in a drop in body temperature can lead to hypothermia.

The following measures are required when rowing on the water in cold weather:

1.  Sign out in the logbook as at any time.

2.  Observe the Four-Oar Rule: Each boat must have a minimum of four (4) oars to launch OR

3.  If individuals go out in single sculls, they must do so in pairs and stay within 100 feet of each other.

4.  Stay within 100 feet of shore except at designated crossing points except in emergency situations where safety concerns are over-riding.

5.  Rowing is not permitted if any ice is visible on the water.