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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Dear Coxes,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>It looks like the river is starting to return back to normal
again, but for the next few days, there will still be more stream than most
people are used to.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>There are a few things that people need to be aware of:</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>1) Most importantly, you need much more room to
complete manouevres! You will find that when you try and spin that the boat
wants to stay perpendicular to the river, so it can be quite difficult to get
your boat round - Don't panic, just make sure that people are switched on and
working together to spin the boat. The other thing about spinning is that you
will be drifting downstream MUCH faster, so you need extra room to compensate
for this as well. Once you have spun, make sure you get out of the spinning
zone immediately, as other crews will need the space to spin as well.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>2) When you go round corners, you'll find that the
river tends to push you towards the outside of corners and you'll need to start
steering a fraction earlier to get round.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>3) Remember that how well your rudder works is
related to how fast you are going relative to the water. So, even if you feel
like you are moving quickly relative to the bank, unless you are moving
relative to the water, you won't get any steerage.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>4) When you are holding position on the river,
you'll find that the river starts to spin your boat very quickly. You
therefore need to be really switched on if you are stationary and keep your bow
pair taking taps/strokes so that you don't find yourself perpendicular to the
flow when you don't want to!</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>5) When the river is high, there is a big possibility
of large objects drifting downstream (in the last few days, there have been
large chunks of trees, a fire extinguisher, a narrow boat(!)...). the bottom
line is that you need to be constantly looking out for hazards in the water.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>6) If the river is high, you often can't see where
the bank is, so make sure you approach with caution - your captain will get a
bit irritated if you run your boat up the bank because you have come in too
quickly!</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>7) Finally, it is even more important for you to
make the decision as to whether you think you handle the conditions or not. It’s
really hard for coxes to say no to an outing, and even more so if the river has
been closed for a week. BUT, the decision lies with you, and if you are not
confident that you will be able to deal with the river, then don’t go.
Talk to your captains if you are getting hassled into going out when you don’t
think it is safe.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Best Regards, and good luck to racing crews tomorrow.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Mark Stringer</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>CUCBC Coxing Rep</span></font></p>
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