Water Safety
Swim Tests
Whilst it’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever end up in the water during an outing,​ LMHBC is committed to keeping all of our member safe while on the river. As such, the club, alongside OURCs (the governing body of college rowing in Oxford) requires all rowers and coxes to successfully and confidently pass a swim test before their sixth water outing.
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The test consists of three tasks:
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50m swim (in any stroke except backstroke)
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Surface dive from static into a 5m underwater swim
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Tread water for 2 minutes
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The test is also completed in regular clothes (not swimwear) to assess your ability to swim in the event of an emergency.
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When you join, one of our captains will message you regarding your availability, and arrange a swim test slot for you. Please note that swim tests only happen at the beginning of each term, so please ensure you are tested if you plan on rowing/coxing with us during term time.
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If you want to know more about the swim test, please read our guide below, see the OURCs website for more information, and/or message a captain!
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Capsize Drills
Once you have successfully passed the swim test, you may row in eights, or fours. If you are interested in learning to row in smaller boats (doubles, pairs or singles), you will have to pass a capsize drill in addition to a swim test.
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Typically this will consist of:
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​Basic training on the dangers of capsizing, and the necessary steps to take if you do capsize while on the river
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The practical portion of the test in which you will get in a single scull, purposefully capsize in the middle of the pool, then perform the required steps to demonstrate you are able to get yourself to safety
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A brief discussion about the techniques typically used to re-enter a boat (though no demonstration of re-entry is needed)​​
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During the year, captains will be in touch regarding slots for capsize drills. Please note that as with swim tests, capsize drills are limited and do not happen regularly, so please ensure you are drilled if you plan on using a small boat during term time.
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If you want to know more about capsize drills, please see the OURCs website for more information, and/or message a captain!