Four season ladder

A new club event to be run throughout the year, hence the four seasons ladder

Four seasons ladder

Link to Four Seasons Ladder workbook

The plan is to submit 4 times; one in the summer, autumn, winter and spring to be timed from the club to the Blue Bridge and then back to the club rowing continuously, which would include turning at the Blue Bridge, approximately 4.2km.

The start is to be timed from the club’s left hand wall taking a transient to the flag on Greenwich pier up to Blue Bridge, making sure you pass the white structure on the large wooden entrance wall to the Blue Bridge, and back to the club.

The idea is to test crews and individuals for speed, navigation and boat handling with the 4 times taken throughout the year and the quickest total time being the winner of each category within the four seasons raced.

There will be timed outings organised by Ian & Chris, or if you do it on your own then submit your time to Markus.

Next events:

  • Sunday 05/05 7.45am start
  • Saturday 22/06: 9.15am start
  • Thursday 18/07: 19.30 pm start
How do I enter and any associated Rules
  • Two timed events one after the regatta season early autumn and one 6 months later in spring, timed and handicapped by Chris Kendall, for entry to the event you would need to take part in at least one of these timed events. The other two timings (or three if you can’t make one of the two organised events) will be submitted by yourself using your own stop watch, GPS sport apps real time facility (Map my tracks – login, Strava – subscription, Sportstracker -login, Row coach – subscription etc.) all submitted on the basis of trust, and if you are really struggling with Apps we’ll time you.
  • We require one of the events to be timed so we can gauge for handicapping etc. (Also to make sure you don’t use the launch!).
  • The timed event will be started around 45 minutes after the lowest point of the tide with the slowest setting off first, with reasonable sized gaps (30m) heading to the Blue Bridge using our normal rotational navigation routes for a flood tide. A launch will be present at Blue Bridge to notify sculler/crew when they have passed the required point for turning and back to the club.
  • An additional safety launch will be present patrolling between the yellow buoys and moored barges, just in case someone fancies a swim.
  • If for any reason you cannot submit a time throughout one of the seasons, you will be given the time of the slowest time submitted in that season +10 minutes as a penalty.
  • For safety, slower participants shall move aside for faster rowers to avoid any collisions and a matter of courtesy on a timed event.
  • Only one timed submission per boat for each season is allowed (so make sure it’s a fast one).
  • You can enter a maximum of two different types of boat (1x and 4x etc.) but bear in mind you need to be handicapped in one of the two timed events hence the reason for a maximum of two boats and with the same crew (exception with 4’s, providing 3 of the crew are the same you are fine to submit times).
  • Times are to be registered with Markus.
Categories from results (suggestions)
  • Fastest male 1x handicapped.
  • Fastest female 1x handicapped.
  • Fastest 1x newcomer to sculling.
  • Fastest crew boat.
  • Oldest male and female 1x participants to complete 4 times (including the 2 timed events).
Reasons for event
  • It’s aimed at 1x sculling and using it to create a sculling ladder/league and to keep you focused and record individuals’ progress throughout the year, but 2x, 2-,4’s and even 8’s can participate if you feel your single sculling is not up to standard or prefer to enter as a crew.
  • If your new to single sculling (red) and perhaps not yet confident you can double up with someone of similar ability and providing you are accompanied by a green sculler to submit a time, or even enter in a bigger boat, and hopefully and eventually by the end of the first year will be submitting single sculling times in your own right when your sculling starts to improve.
  • When self timing, pairing up with a faster sculler as a pacemaker or small groups would also help in submitting a faster time and is allowed.
  • The event, is trying to give everyone a goal and hopefully help to improve everyone’s ability throughout the year and be part of the club, even if you are just a social rower.
Four seasons Draw Saturday 8th October 2022

Below is the draw for Saturday’s event, please have a look who is starting in front of you there are no numbers, names only.

  • All crews should be afloat ready to row by 07.30 if you want to warm up then boat earlier
  • Each crew will make their way upriver and will muster just down river from the first slipway (by ferry house pub) up from the club by 07.50 no later than 08.00 with their bow facing into the flood ready to race
  • Ian will call each crew through everyone making sure they know who they are following
  • Ron will be in 1st launch waiting for you at the Blue Bridge
  • Szabi will be in the 2nd launch making sure you stay inside on the first bend and when everyone is clear of the first bend will move down and be patrolling by the barges for safety
  • Chris and Nick will be timing everyone
  • Remember the start and finish is the left hand wall at the club

Rules

  • Our usual flood navigation rules apply (Inside up to Blue Bridge and North of centre in the flood back to the club)
  • Faster crews have right of way (slower crews please leave space for them and move aside and let them through)
  • If someone does go in and a launch is not near by, try to notify the launch or an experienced sculler to help
  1. Rita
  2. Vicky
  3. Marlien (boat 1×155)
  4. Jen (boat 1×061)
  5. Helen
  6. Anita
  7. Tash
  8. Lizzy
  9. Markus (boat 1×083)
  10. Mark M
  11. Max
  12. 4x Dan, Nalin, Brian, Amy (D Hardy or Canary Wharf)
  13. Ian
  14. Rowan (boat 1×040)
  15. Mark S (boat 1×051)

Anyone who wants to join in short notice their more than welcome, just start after the quad and before Ian

About PBDRC

Poplar Blackwall and District Rowing Club is a rowing club on the Northern bank or the River Thames opposite Greenwich on the Isle of Dogs, London.

We are open to all levels of rowers for fun, practice, training and competition.

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PBDRC
56 Ferry Street, Isle of Dogs, E14 3DT

Our Address

Poplar, Blackwall & District Rowing Club
The Boat House
Ferry Street
London
E14 3DT

enquiries@pbdrc.co.uk

020 7538 9869