Potomac Pirate?

 

 

Mike McGuirk sent us a photo of this wayward pirate lurking up at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta last weekend.  He claims to be a senior member of Potomac Boat Club.  Below is the proof that PBC member or not, this pirate is just after your booty.

Ahoy, Mateys! (No, he didn’t say that. Too obvy.  But admit it.  You expected it.)

Dear PBC friends:

I am announcing our plan to move the floats downstream on Saturday Dec. 3rd.  We’ll need all hands to make the move go fast and easy.  If the weather is really cold, raining/snowing hard, or extremely windy, we can try the next day (Sunday, 4th). Stay tuned.

Coaches and rowers who know the motor boats can help ahead by being sure we have the tanks all fueled up, and engines to use identified.

In the week preceding the move can some of you sweep rowers please get the big wooden outboard-motor bracket out from behind the 8’s?

Also, close to the date, would someone please volunteer to untie the short ropes we put on to keep the ramps in place if a flood were to come?

Thank you everyone!

Chuck Selden

PBC Float Captain and Pirate (… or Privateer, in polite company)

Read me and win

Hey, PBC!

Club Meetings have gotten shorter and sweeter, and the food has always been good, so mark your calendar for the Semi-Annual Meeting next week, Wednesday, October 5th.

Social hour starts at 6:30 pm.  The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 pm.   What’s on the agenda?  A change to the constitution that could make these meetings even better will be introduced, as will the 2011 recipients of the David Challinor Memorial Scullership to the Head of the Charles Regatta.  You’re so all over this, right?  Yeah.  We are, too.

(Subliminal message: Food.)

So.  Call the babysitter, reschedule your hair appointment, DVR the game,  just do what you have to do to be there and participate like a good club member, okay?

(One grand prize awarded to the 135th member who shows up before 7:15 pm, and whispers, “Palomino,” in the ear of the tallest guy standing to the left of the food table.  Restrictions apply.)

See you there!

(Credit for “scullership” goes to  Mr. Marc Edmonds.  Please contact Mr. Edmonds directly with comments and/or complaints.)

Stand down … no boat move needed this morning. Thanks for being ready.

Originally posted on April 23, 2011, “To row (or not to row) when the Potomac floods,” below contains helpful info and a link to the NOAA flood stage prediction page:

On Monday, the river is expected to crest at 7.6 feet.  Generally, we move lower boats to higher ground when the river is expected to crest at 12 feet or higher.  Again, since this is not the case for Monday, no action is required this weekend, but for your continued caution.

Now, below is the guidance you thrill seekers have dreaded or the excuse you late sleepers have anxiously awaited.  Either way, take heed.  It is a combination of practical recommendations provided by our Float Captain Chuck Selden and the rules of the club.

The Resource
Following is a link to the National Weather Service, Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.  Chuck urges you to open it and set it as a bookmark.  It gives the actual and predicted levels at Little Falls.  Check it at bedtime, and again before coming down to row.

• Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

The Rule
Still wondering whether or not you should row?  Well, this should make it a little easier for you … the rule according to the Safety Section of the PBC Member Handbook states the following:

The docks are closed when the water level is at 7 feet or above at the Little Falls gauge.

At these levels (although we will note that Chuck believes private boats should be able to launch with caution at crests of up to 8 feet), even the most skilled crews will have difficulty getting back through Key Bridge safely and to the dock.  Not only will the river be fast and swirly in unexpected areas, but it can take a crew almost twice as long as it usually takes to row the same distance upstream.

Even at levels above 6 feet, if there is any question in your mind that you may not be able to easily combat swirly current and standing waves, just don’t go out.  It’s not worth it.

Chuck on Rowing When the River is High
When levels are above 5.5 feet, Chuck’s advice is to immediately row downstream through the Key Bridge.  He and his crew carefully survey the scene around the bridge first, then they usually end up taking the first or second arch from the Washington, DC side.  If there are crews coming up towards Key Bridge, cross the river when traffic allows and use the usual traffic pattern arch (second from the Virginia side).  Remember to stay about 70 to 100 yards upstream of Key Bridge until you can safely align with the middle of the arch before turning to go through.

Heading downstream, there will be swirly water in the river until after Memorial Bridge, where it will start to get better.  Often, well before you reach the 14th Street Bridge, it will be flat, calm and rowable without swirls.  Chuck says his very experienced crew typically heads to the big radar at the airport (the 5 mile turn-around) or to Hains Point.  This way they can get a 9-10 mile row in with about 6-7 miles of decent water.

[But, again, if in doubt, don't go out.  We promise that no one will be talking about what a stud you were for going out in high water when they're dragging for your body.]

Register now! 2011 Scullers Head of the Potomac

• Click here to register!

Ms. Samantha Byrd, chair of Potomac Boat Club’s Regatta Committee, announces that registration is open for the 2011 Charlie Butt Annual Scullers Head of the Potomac (SHOP).

The SHOP, scheduled for Sunday, September 25, has been held every year for the last 31 years in honor of legendary rowing coach Charlie Butt.  Considered an important milestone on the fall racing calendar, the SHOP includes more than 40 sweep and sculling events.

This year, the Regatta Committee has reworked the race schedule to better accommodate large entry events and provide more time between events for multi-entry participants.  Please check the registration page linked above for important registration deadlines.  Race Headquarters will be at Thompsons Boat Center.

Questions regarding the SHOP should be emailed to the Regatta Committee at headofthepotomac@gmail.com.  Volunteers, it’s never too early to make your availability known!

The Regatta Committee wishes you the best of luck as you finish up the summer racing season.

See you in September at the SHOP!

Collisions prompt new rules for PBC sweep teams

Following is an important safety message from PBC club president, Bob Price.

Two recent safety incidents, on-the-water collisions between PBC men’s sweep boats and smaller sculling boats, have kicked up a lot of questions and concerns regarding what we, as a club, can do to be safer and more aware out on the water. I’d like to provide an overview of the actions we’re taking.

First, effective immediately, we have instituted a no-hard-strokes rule and a no-side-by-side pieces rule above Hens and Chicks for all PBC sweep teams to ensure no large boats are at full speed in such a small area.  This will afford smaller boats more of an opportunity to see larger boats coming their way, and coxswains and coaches more of an opportunity to note on coming traffic.

Second, we are reaching out to the community – the DC Harbor Police, Thompsons Boat Center, and the Potomac River Safety Council (PRSC) – to reaffirm our commitment to the highest levels of safety and to demonstrate that we always take these incidents seriously.

Third, we plan to host a forum through the PRSC and invite the entire local rowing community to ensure we are all on the same page when it comes to safety rules and policies.  We hope to get this on the calendar in the early fall.  As soon as we have a date confirmed, we will let everyone know.

Finally, we ask that everyone stays vigilant out on the water.  Our sport has become more popular than ever with more and more boats sharing the same stretch of river every season.   With these additional chances for mishaps out there, we need all to keep heads up for potential trouble.

One thing has not changed:  Safety is everyone’s responsibility, but the safety of our members and others with whom we share the river remains the top priority of the Board and the Club.  Please do not hesitate to bring your safety questions or concerns to me, any Board member or committee chair.

For safety information from USRowing, please visit http://www.usrowing.org/Safety.aspx.

For safety information from the Potomac River Safety Committee, please visit http://www.potomacriversafetycommittee.org/index.php.

Thanks.

Bob Price, President, PBC

Times are tough, so security gets tougher

Below is a less detailed version of a very important message from the Security Committee that PBC Members will receive soon via snail and e-mail, if they haven’t already.  Please take the time to read the detailed version when you get it, especially if you don’t feel like reading this one.

No, actually, please read each and every version you may receive through any channel, especially this one.  (Quiz next week.)

***

Dear PBC Members:

The Potomac Boat Club (PBC) Board of Governors and the Security Committee are implementing new security measures, as a result of various breaches in security over the last few months.  Although a few folks may feel inconvenienced by these new measures, we are confident that most of you are willing to do what it takes to help ensure the safety of the boathouse and, more importantly, the safety of yourself and your fellow Members.

With that in mind, effective July 11th, 2011, official Club Hours of Operation go into effect.  They will be enforced during non-operating hours by an alarm directly linked to the DC Police, additional surveillance cameras with motion-detecting, recording and remote monitoring capabilities, in addition to other measures we cannot discuss here.

During regular hours, Members will be required to input their personal codes to gain access to Club, as well as to various areas of the Club.  This redundant code requirement will record the activity of those with a legitimate purpose for being in the club (including Senior Members, Competitive Members, and contractors) and give us and the DC Police another tool to use when sorting potential criminal actors from legitimate users, if a security issue does arise.

As we take these steps to increase the security of the boathouse itself, it is imperative that each of us remains vigilant and observant, so we respectfully remind you of the following responsibilities that we all have as Members of PBC:

• Use your own code each time you enter the house.  Do not share it with others. When entering, make sure the front door locks behind you.
• Do not let anyone you do not recognize, or who cannot identify the program they are with, follow you in through the front door.
• Do not prop open any outside door or gate unless it is fully attended by another Member.
• Do not prop and leave open internal, red, metal fire doors, which are part of the fire control system for the house.
• At the end of the day, lock all doors and windows in the ballroom and the weight room before you leave and be sure the front door closes and is locked behind you.
• If you are the last one out of the house, at any given time of day, please ensure that all bay doors are closed and latched. (Use the logbook as a guide to see if anyone might be out on the water.)
• While in the house, make sure your valuables are in a safe place.  Do not leave valuables in lockers overnight.
• For your own safety, refrain from spending time alone in the house, especially during low traffic periods.

Finally, we encourage you to report any suspicious activity as soon as possible by writing to security@potomacstar.com or by calling 911 in case of emergency.  If you are in doubt about what to do or whom to contact, please err on the side of caution and alert the police.  Acting quickly and providing accurate details are essential to resolving any security issue.

Unfortunately, these are tough times and invoking tighter security measures to keep us all safe has become necessary.  Please join us in doing your part to make this work.

Thank you.

PBC Board of Governors and the Security Committee

[Wait ... what are these "official" hours of operations, you ask?  Um,  maybe grab that decoder ring you just dug out of your kid's box of Captain Crunch and go check your snail and email for the previously mentioned versions of this message.  Yes, you may refer to the hard copy as you read the soft one, if you'd like, but please close this window before you do.  We're trying to eat.  Thanks.]

RSVP for the annual Strawberry Brunch TODAY (please)

This might be a slightly more risque version of the strawberry you got in the mail, but you'll still need to make a reservation with the Social Committee to eat it. Just because it's a chocolate dipped strawberry, doesn't mean it's easy!

What:  PBC Strawberry Brunch
Where:  The Boathouse
When: Saturday, June 4, 2011, from 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Who: PBC Members, Program Participants and Guests

On the menu …

Belgian Waffles
Fresh Strawberries
Whipped Cream, Maple Syrup (There’s the party, right there!)
Marvelous Mimosas and French Roast Coffee
Sausage Links and Bacon Strips

Did we mention Mimosas?

Reservations are necessary!!!  Please make them by June 1st (yep, that’s today) or there may not be enough whipped cream or Mimosas to go around!

To RSVP, send a note to the Social Committee at PBCrsvp@yahoo.com or call 703-538-2864.

See you there, and please tell us if we get chocolate in our teeth.  It’s the sign of a true friend.

Car-top carriers to go

Do you really, really need to keep that car-top carrier for your boat at the club? Like, really? Or is it just that you need the room in your garage for Grandpa’s dusty croquet set and an old Weber charcoal grill that you never ever use?

Well, while you ponder that question (we’ll think about it, too), another precariously hanging car-top carrier may have just fallen on yet another boat, like one did last year.  Next time, one might land on someone’s head instead.  You’d never be able to look at a croquet wicket the same, again.  Might be time to eBay the croquet set.

Following is an important message from our newest Board member, Michael Malone, about the current, no-joke, dangerous state of our pile of car-top carriers:

The PBC Board has decided that the car-top carriers stored on the aqueduct side of the house need to go. There are 30 carriers currently stored on that side of the house in enough slots for only 24.  They are cluttered and often have fallen, sometimes damaging boats.  The plan right now is to move the carriers during the June 11th Club Work Day.  In the meantime, I have volunteered to clean up the space to see if we can limit the amount of carriers to a reasonable, safe number, but I need your help to get it done.

First, members desiring to keep their carriers stored at the club must provide a justification as to why the carrier should remain at PBC instead of at home.   This will force us all to think about whether or not we travel so often with our boats on top of our cars that we really should have a carrier at the club.  Second, every carrier must have the owner’s name and phone number or email address clearly displayed on the carrier before the June 11th workday or it will be removed.  This will allow us to track usage of the carriers, and remove unused or unclaimed ones.

If you already know that you need to keep your carrier at PBC, please send a message to me at mwmalone@gmail.com with your justification.  Also, please start labeling your carriers now.  If you would like, I can print you a label for your carrier and leave it for you at the boathouse. Van Dusen carrier owners should make sure they get a label, too.

Again, this needs to be done before the June 11th workday to prove that we can efficiently manage the carriers before the Board decides for our own safety that they all must go home.

[Note: Rumor has it that even the "justified" carriers are going to be stored in the attic with a friendly family of about a million spiders. No, thanks. We'll take ours home to our garage, where there are only about a hundred spiders. -PS]

Freaky Flood Year?

[Chuck Selden and Mike Malone contributed the following regarding the seemingly endless bad water we've had this year.  Apparently, it could be a lot worse!  We feel better already.  (Sort of.)]

It really has been quite a spring.  [Great for ducks, not so much for rowers.] Alarming news regarding high water on March 12, April 18 and May 19.  PBC floats closed on and off again to boat launchings.  Shovel and broom brigades clearing away endless amounts of mud.  When is the next one?  Will it ever stop?

Below is historical flood data taken at Little Falls.  Just click on an image to make it bigger (and more readable) or visit the NOAA site (click) here. [Chuck will have the most recent data posted soon. Read on for Chuck's analysis.]

So far, in 2011, our flood water has remained below 12 feet, and we haven’t had to move boats to higher ground. In 1937 and 1996, two floods required us to move boats to the ballroom and upper decks.  In the last 80 or so years, there were only 10 times with water over 15 feet that forced us to move most of our boats upstairs, and a few times when waters were over 13 feet, forcing us to move a few of our lower boats upstairs and anchor our floats.

So, what is our risk now of another flood in 2011, you ask? Well, we could make a prediction by looking at the number of years with three or more high water events. During thirteen of the last 80 years, we’ve had at least three high water events per year, and of those, only during four of those years, we had more than three. During seventeen years, we had only one above 9 ft event.  During 34 years (1/3 of the record), we had not one above 9ft event at Little Falls. Chances are that we’re done with high water for the year.

Or are we? [Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen.]

Well, we usually get flooding, if at all, in the spring, and although they are less common in May, we did just have one.  Still, going by the data we have available, if we do get another flood this year, most likely, it will be in the fall.

We will be posting a “to do” list for reacting to predicted river levels by the logbook and on line at the PBC web site that gives tips, insight and rules on when to row; when to stay ashore; who might be able to risk going out; when club boats are not allowed to go out at all; at what depth we must detach the ramps and floats and anchor them downstream; and the circumstances that dictate which boats to move upstairs and when.

Don Spero: From Tokyo to the Thames

You are cordially invited to hear PBC senior member, Olympian and former World Single Sculls champion, Don Spero, talk about his experiences rowing at the elite level when the PBC Social Committee hosts From Toyko to the Thames: A Conversation with Olympian Don Spero, May 4th at 6:30 pm, at the University Club, located at 1135 16^th Street N.W., Washington, D.C.

One of America’s most celebrated rowing athletes, long-time PBC senior member Don Spero has built a rowing career that is now legendary.  Spero won the World Rowing Single Sculls Championship in 1966 in Bled, Yugoslavia. Later that year, he again took the gold medal at the National Championships at St. Catherine’s, Ontario, Canada. In 1965, Spero won the Henley Regatta Diamond Sculls Championship in England and the Duisberg International Regatta Single Sculls Gold Medal in Germany.  Spero was the U.S. National Champion in the Single Sculls in 1963, 1964, and 1966; Double Sculls Champion in 1963; and Quadruple Sculls Champion in 1965.

“From Tokyo to the Thames” will be the first in a speaker series that the Social Committee plans to hold regularly for PBC members and others interested in the sport of rowing.

The event is free for all members and guests, and includes a reception.  To attend, please RSVP to Sean Durkin at sdurkin@columbiagroup.com

Until then, enjoy watching this video of Don rowing at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo and listening to the very interesting commentary:

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