31 July 2020 Temporary Covid-19 Gym Rules … and please note Andy’s wonderful paint job :)

Obviously, there will be changes in terms of how the gym can safely be used for the foreseeable future. Please adhere to all rules. And for the safety of all members, if you see someone forgetting to adhere, please politely remind them. 

 Booking and Access 

  1. Book your session as you would any equipment at http://www.fitclub.me/login 
  • Use of the gym will be limited to one-hour time slots, with a maximum capacity of 9 in the Gym area (ie. one person per erg/bike + 1 Coach), we will have 6 ergs and 2 bikes that can be booked. No spectators, and do not wait in the gym area for your session to start. 
  • Ad hoc stretching can be done in the designated area, but if the gym is full when you arrive to stretch, we ask that you leave immediately and return when there is space. Please build stretching into your session. 
  • Where possible wear face coverings inside (excluding whilst exercising) 

On Arrival 

  • Please arrive in your sports kit. The changing rooms are not in use. 
  • Please sign in via the book near the entrance. 
  • Please maintain social distancing at all times.  
  • Please use hand sanitiser on entry (located by the gym entrance) 

General Rules 

  • Use of the gym will be limited to ergs, bikes or stretching mats. With the exception of the mats, please book your time slot. (DO NOT ENTER THE GYM IF CAPACITY IS AT MAX) 
  • You must clean down any equipment before and after use, please allow for ten minutes at the end of your session to properly clean everything. Alcohol solution and paper towels or wet wipes will be provided. 
  • When you start your workout, please clean your equipment, when you leave, Clean your equipment 
  • No shouting or singing as it promotes spread of the virus. Do not shout to get someone’s attention. 
  • With the exception of extreme weather, windows should be opened on arrival and closed when leaving. 
  • DO NOT MOVE EQUIPMENT. Three ergs are placed in the boat shed for outside use. 
  • Please leave before your session ends to avoid crossover with incoming users – this may mean 45 minutes of exercise with a few minutes either side for cleaning and sanitising. We appreciate your help with this. 

Restrictions  

  • Showers and changing rooms are not in use. All members are asked to arrive in kit and shower at home. 
  • The kitchen is closed; all members should bring their own water bottle. 
  • Use of the weights is currently prohibited until further notice. 

This document has been put together in agreement with the management and rowing committee while restrictions are in place and will be updated as and when restrictions are lifted, is subject to change at the club’s discretion, and will be reviewed on a weekly basis. 

If you or anyone in your household are experiencing any Covid symptoms please do not attend the club and follow the government guidelines on self-isolation.  

All Members attend the club at their own risk and their own choice 

  1. Maximum 8 People + 1 Coach allowed in the gym at any one time. 
  1. Only Rowing Machines and bikes can be used. 
  1. DO NOT change or move equipment. 
  1. All equipment to be wiped down before and after use. 
  1. All members must book equipment via fitclub. 

To go www.fitclub.me 

Make sure you have signed up and asked to join Broxbourne Rowing Club 

  1. Select Broxbourne Rowing Club 
  1. Equipment 
  1. Bookings 
  1. Other 
  1.  
  1. Select erg or Bike and Time. 
  1. No bookings more than 5 days in advance

Recs and Juniors ‘Race across the World’ June 2020

Continuing the travels of our Recs and Junior Squad as they Race around the World to Toyko and back again … in opposite directions.

5th June
Junior Squad
This week it was very hot in the Mediterranean. First stop this week was Malta, where we had some Fenek and a glass of Kinnie. Did you know that for the country’s bravery in the Second World War, Malta was awarded the George Cross by King George VI.  
Then off to Bengazi where we had a row under the Jeliana Bridge that connects Jeliana with the city centre and old town. And enjoyed some Bazin and a cup of Benghazi tea.  Now heading for the Suez Canal.
Rec Squad We had a good week too enjoying the Caribbean and Costa Rica after such a long time in the empty Atlantic. A bit of relaxation of lockdown has helped people to get out more now.
After Costa Rica we went down the Panama Canal which is $55,000 to go down but we managed it. We are now just over 100k on our way towards Hawaii it will then be more fun with all the islands there.

12th June
Rec Squad
I hope you have had a good time progressing towards Tokyo and hopefully managed more water time.  We have done well but frustratingly did not quite make the Galápagos Islands by last night although pretty much there now And could see it. 
The Pacific is enormous and covers 30% of the earths surface so this bit will take some time but once we get to Hawaii will be about half way round! 
Junior Squad
Exciting that you are nearly at the Galapagos.  
We (23 in the group Juniors/Coaches) have started our trip in the Suez canal dodging the ships and have reached Suez.  The Suez Canal is an open cut and without locks. We had a day trip to Cairo and had a row on the Nile. Then a visit to Giza to see the Pyramids. Plenty of good food and drink. Especially like the Sa‘idi tea and Basbousa, a dessert made from semolina and soaked in syrup. Off to the Red Sea next week.

19th June
Rec Squad

We enjoyed the wildlife on Galápagos Islands, and are now crossing the Pacific, named by Magellan in 1521 Mar Pacifico. That is Portuguese for peaceful sea. It is the deepest and biggest ocean covering 30% of the earths surface. It has 25,000 islands And we are now heading for the Marquesas island in French Polynesia
Junior Squad Great to see all the wildlife and you are enjoying the wonders of the Pacific. The Red Sea is a lot longer than anticipated but we have had a good week.  We headed from Suez town to Wadi Gemal National Park.  At the park we enjoyed the 450 species of coral and 1200 species of fish. Inland we got to see a green turtle, and then a camel trek to see some Dorcas gazelle and Nubia Ibex. So definitely worth the trip.
Then on to Port Sudan, we skipped visiting the Oil refinery and did some more snorkelling and then a trip to Sesibi Temple.  We have enjoyed some Miris which is a stew made from sheep’s fat, onions, and dried okra. Some of us adults, tried some local Gin called Araqi which you will never get in Sainsburys as it illegally brewed made from dates. Next week the second half of the Red Sea and onto the Gulf of Aden.  Enjoy your week

27th June
Junior Squad
This week the 2nd leg of our Red Sea row brought us to Djibouti.  We went for a trip to Lac Assal, the lowest point in Africa and saltier than the Dead Sea. We tried some Fah-fah (Goat stew) and the local coffee buna with cinnamon, cardamom and cloves.
Now off into the Gulf of Aden a lot of water ahead of us.
Rec Squad We did well covering 1238 kilometres but that did not quite get us to La Marquesas in French Polynesia or across the date line. Very tempting to hang out a sail and use the trade winds but just resisted.
Bit boring this section so looking forward to the first sight of land.  We will be doing the reverse of yours eventually



Recs and Juniors ‘Race across the World’ May 2020

Shortly after lockdown back in March ( … such a long time ago now), Friday morning Recs, coxed by Noelle, kept themselves active and occupied setting up their Race across the World to Toyko and back. They were quickly joined by the remains of the Recreational Squad who like most members of the Rec Squad, don’t like to be left out of anything, especially anything as exciting as this 🙂

Keeping a record of activities, members send their individual reports to Noelle’s inbox, which surely must be bursting at the seams, for her to tally up, and record and measure, the distance covered before reporting back on how far they had travelled, which exciting island they could see, which country they were close to, or, with great excitement, which port they had reached.

Come late April, the Juniors wanted in too, and ably coxed by Mick, they joined the Race in early May, only, as you will see as the diary continues, took a slight detour (!) in the opposite direction to Tokyo … the shorter distance apparently …

This is a record of their travels in May …

4th May
Rec Squad
We stopped at Sandbanks in Dorset, Lands End then on to Cork so we could avoid the Bay of Biscay. Next Baiona in Spain, Porto, Lisbon and Portamao in Portugal clocking up just over 2,800k to get to Tenerife. We are now heading for Tortola on the BVIs.

8th May
Rec Squad Motivation still high albeit we can’t see anything as quarter of the way across the Atlantic
Junior Squad Over 600km and have just left a stop off at Guernsey (great weather) and now out in the Celtic sea deciding our next route.

15th May
Junior Squad
This week we headed to Bilbao and had a great time at the Guggenheim. Interesting fact Athletic Bilbao is the only European football club to exclusively sign local players.
Then we were off to Porto, no Port for the Juniors obviously but had a quick row on the Duoro.  Another fact we learned Gustav Eiffel was involved in the constructions of two of Porto’s bridges. Now on our way to Gibraltar.

22nd May
Rec Squad
We are finding the Atlantic tough and a bit boring but are now only 601.49 K from Tortola. We can’t wait to get to those iced coconut cocktails and rum punch. Might spend a day or two on the beach. 
Junior Squad
Juniors are all well and are heading the opposite direction to Tokyo so we can compare different stop off points. This week we got to Gibraltar where we saw the Barbary macaques, one of whom stole a pair of sunglasses (evidence attached).  Interesting facts,  it has no rivers or streams and John Lennon and Yoko Ono got married there.
Then onto Almeria where with any drink, non alcoholic for the crew, tapas was free. Now off to Algiers.

29th May
Junior Squad
Another great week for the juniors: first stop was Algiers.  The city takes its name (Arabic: “The Islands”) from several small islands that formerly existed in the bay.  Where we had some couscous, a Mazagran (Algerian iced coffee) and some Deglet nour (Dates) for the journey. Then off to Tunis, which was once home to Carthage and much of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in 698 Al-Zaytuna Mosque is one of the world’s oldest.
Now off to Malta
Rec Squad Malta is lovely. (Short and sweet weekly update … can only assume perhaps they were still on the beach?)