Health and Safety

Safety is a shared responsibility across the rowing community. Whether you’re a rower, coach, club official, or supporter, ensuring safe practice both on and off the water is essential to maintaining a positive and secure environment for all participants.

Rowing Ireland is committed to fostering a strong safety culture throughout our affiliated clubs and events. To support this, we provide a range of resources and systems designed to guide, inform, and protect everyone involved in the sport.

At the heart of our safety framework is the Rowing Ireland RowSafe Safety Manual – a comprehensive, user-friendly guide that outlines expectations and best practices for individuals, clubs, competitions, and coaches. Adapted from British Rowing’s safety manual and tailored to the Irish context, RowSafe is your go-to resource for understanding and implementing safe rowing practices. You can access RowSafe here.

In addition, Rowing Ireland operates the IROW Safe online incident reporting system, which allows anyone—rowers, coxes, coaches, parents, club officials, or bystanders—to confidentially report accidents, near misses, or safety concerns. This system helps us identify trends, share learnings, and continuously improve safety standards across the sport. Reports can be submitted anonymously and are handled in accordance with GDPR. Visit the IROW Safe page to learn more or submit a report.

We also encourage all members and clubs to familiarise themselves with the Department of Transport’s Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft (2024 edition). This national guidance document provides essential safety checklists, legal requirements, and best practice advice for all types of recreational craft, including rowing boats. It promotes the “Think and Prepare” approach—planning ahead, assessing risks, and ensuring readiness before going out on the water. You can download the Code of Practice here.

Together, these resources form the foundation of Rowing Ireland’s safety strategy. We urge all clubs and individuals to engage with them actively, report incidents, and make safety a priority in every aspect of our sport.

For more information please contact clubsupport@rowingireland.ie

Useful links

RowSafe:- Rowing Ireland’s Safety Manual https://www.rowingireland.ie/rowsafe/

iROWsafe: – Rowing Ireland’s online incident reporting system https://www.rowingireland.ie/about-irow-safe/

Department of Transport Code of Practice https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/publications/code-of-practice-for-the-safe-operation-of-recreational-craft/

Rowing Ireland Child Welfare Incident reporting form https://www.rowingireland.ie/incident-report/