Safety preparation

AARC River Navigation Guide

Use this before practice to understand the coached route. Your coach may shorten, extend, or change the route based on river conditions and session goals.

Stay right
Pass left
Stop before turning
Coach sets the course

Whole course first

Choose the course your coach assigned

Use the route below only for the course named by your coach. Each course has its own order of turns, caution points, and map markers.

Small round
Round below M-14
Bridge round
Full round

Do not use landmarks from another course unless your coach assigns that course. The Round below M-14 stops before bridge navigation. The Bridge round starts only when the coach assigns the named bridge sequence.

Learner route briefing

Route 1: Small round

Use this route when your coach assigns the small round. Read the cards in order. A learner should be able to name the downstream turn cue, upstream turn cue, and dock approach before launch.

Dock Downstream leg Downstream turn Upstream leg Upstream turn Dock

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Launch from AARC dock

Where: At the AARC dock.
Do: Push away under control, scan, and settle onto the correct traffic side before adding pressure.
Watch for: Dock traffic, coach launches, returning shells, paddlers, and swimmers.
Coach cue: Stay right for your direction of travel.
Common mistake: Looking at the dock or landmark but not scanning ahead and behind.

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Downstream leg: dock to first turn line

Where: From the dock toward the small-round downstream turn cue.
Do: Hold your line, make small early corrections, and keep enough room from the bank.
Watch for: Fallen-tree or shoreline caution, shallows, boats launching or returning, and mixed river users.
Coach cue: Small corrections early. Do not drift across the traffic pattern.
Common mistake: Waiting too long to steer, then overcorrecting.

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Downstream turn line

Where: At the small-round downstream crossing line named by your coach.
Do: Stop first. Turn left. Check traffic. Cross only when clear. Turn left again.
Watch for: Other shells using the same turn line, boats closest to shore, and traffic returning toward the dock.
Coach cue: Stop before the turn. Cross only when clear.
Common mistake: Starting the crossing while the shell is still moving too fast.

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Upstream leg: downstream turn line to upstream turn line

Where: From the downstream turn line back upstream, past the dock area, toward the small-round upstream turn cue.
Do: Hold the correct side for your direction of travel and keep scanning through the mixed-use stretch.
Watch for: Island or weed edge, shoreline weeds, fallen-tree cues, returning shells, paddlers, and swimmers.
Coach cue: Scan first, steer second.
Common mistake: Staring at the caution spot and forgetting to scan traffic.

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Upstream turn line

Where: At the small-round upstream crossing line.
Do: Stop first. Turn left. Check traffic. Cross only when clear. Turn left again.
Watch for: Boats approaching from behind, boats already turning, and shells returning toward the dock.
Coach cue: Complete the turn before adding pressure.
Common mistake: Treating the upstream turn as optional because the dock feels close.

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Return to dock

Where: From the upstream turn line back to the AARC dock approach.
Do: Approach slowly, use small corrections, and wait for coach direction before docking.
Watch for: Dock congestion, coach launches, returning shells, paddlers, swimmers, and cross traffic.
Coach cue: Slow approach. Never point the bow straight at the dock.
Common mistake: Relaxing the scan because the dock is close.

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Intermediate route

Route 2: Round below M-14

Use this route when your coach assigns the round below M-14. This course uses the river turns below the M-14 bridge. It does not go under M-14 and does not use the bridge sequence.

Launch Downstream turn Upstream leg Below-M-14 turn Return leg Dock

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Launch from AARC dock

Where: At the AARC dock.
Do: Push away under control, scan, and settle onto the correct side before adding pressure.
Watch for: Dock traffic, returning shells, coach launches, paddlers, and swimmers.
Coach cue: Stay right for your direction of travel.

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2 of 7

Downstream turn line

Where: At the coach-assigned downstream turn line for this round.
Do: Stop first, turn left, check traffic, cross only when clear, and turn left again.
Watch for: Other shells turning, boats closest to shore, and traffic returning toward the dock.
Common mistake: Starting the crossing before the shell is stopped and traffic is clear.

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Upstream leg past the small-round turn

Where: From the downstream turn line, past the dock area and past the small-round upstream turn cue.
Do: Hold the correct side and continue only because your coach assigned the below-M-14 round.
Watch for: Small-round shells turning, returning boats, weeds, fallen-tree cues, paddlers, and swimmers.
Coach cue: Do not copy the small-round turn if today's course continues upstream.

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Approach the M-14 limit

Where: On the upstream extension, before the M-14 bridge area.
Do: Prepare early for the coach-assigned turn below M-14.
Watch for: Other shells using the same extension, current or drift near the bridge approach, and traffic returning downstream.
Important: This route does not go under M-14. If the coach did not assign the Bridge round, turn below the bridge.

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Below-M-14 turn

Where: At the coach-assigned river turn below the M-14 bridge.
Do: Stop first. Turn left. Check traffic. Cross only when clear. Turn left again.
Watch for: Boats approaching from behind, shells already turning, and any traffic near the M-14 approach.
Common mistake: Drifting into the bridge approach while setting up the turn.

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Return leg toward the dock

Where: From the below-M-14 turn back toward the dock area.
Do: Hold the correct return side, scan through mixed-use traffic, and prepare early for the dock return.
Watch for: Small-round shells, paddlers, swimmers, dock traffic, and boats turning near the lower course.
Coach cue: Return predictably; do not cut across another course line.

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Return to dock

Where: At the AARC dock approach.
Do: Approach slowly, use small corrections, and wait for coach direction before docking.
Watch for: Dock congestion, returning shells, coach launches, paddlers, swimmers, and cross traffic.
Common mistake: Relaxing the scan because the row feels nearly finished.

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Separate route

Route 3: Bridge round

Use this only when your coach assigns the bridge round. Read the named bridge route in two parts: M-14, Barton Shore Drive, Railroad, and Barton Nature Area Trail upstream, then the reverse sequence downstream after the coach has turned the group for return.

Bridge names, downstream to upstream

M-14 bridge First bridge; has a pillar in the river.
Barton Shore Drive bridge Pedestrian and car bridge; no pillars in the river.
Railroad bridge Two openings: upstream opening and downstream opening.
Barton Nature Area Trail bridge Tall bridge; pillar in the middle of the river.

Set up below M-14 Bridges upstream Turn / transition Bridges downstream Clear

Bridges upstream

Approach

Set up below M-14

Where: Below the M-14 bridge, before entering the bridge sequence.
Do: Confirm that the coach assigned the Bridge round, identify the first bridge, and commit to the correct line early.
Avoid: Entering the M-14 approach while uncertain.

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M-14 bridge

Where: At the M-14 bridge, the downstream-most bridge in the sequence.
Do: Use the coach-assigned side of the river pillar and pass through predictably.
Watch for: The pillar in the river, current or drift near the approach, and other shells entering the bridge area.
If uncertain: Stop below the bridge before committing to the opening.

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Barton Shore Drive bridge

Where: At the pedestrian and car bridge upstream of M-14.
Do: Hold your bridge line and pass through steadily.
Watch for: No river pillar, but still watch for traffic, bank proximity, and line changes after M-14.
Common mistake: Relaxing because there is no pillar and drifting off the assigned side.

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Railroad bridge: upstream opening

Where: At the railroad bridge, using the coach-assigned upstream opening.
Do: Name the opening before you reach it and commit early.
Watch for: The two-opening layout, shells returning downstream, and last-second steering.
If uncertain: Stop before the railroad bridge and wait for coach instruction.

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Barton Nature Area Trail bridge

Where: At the tall trail bridge upstream of the railroad bridge.
Do: Use the coach-assigned side of the middle river pillar.
Watch for: The pillar in the middle of the river, other shells clearing the bridge, and the next turn or regroup cue.
Common mistake: Looking at the pillar instead of steering the line early.

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Bridges downstream

Barton Nature Area Trail bridge

Where: At the tall trail bridge on the downstream return.
Do: Set the return line early and use the coach-assigned side of the middle river pillar.
Watch for: Drift after the turn, boats approaching upstream, and the pillar in the middle of the river.
If uncertain: Stop clear of the bridge area and wait for coach instruction.

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Railroad bridge: downstream opening

Where: At the railroad bridge, using the coach-assigned downstream opening.
Do: Identify the downstream opening early and pass through predictably.
Watch for: The two-opening layout, upstream traffic, and boats changing line after the trail bridge.
Common mistake: Using the upstream-leg opening by habit on the downstream return.

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Barton Shore Drive bridge

Where: At the pedestrian and car bridge on the downstream return.
Do: Hold the return side and keep the shell predictable.
Watch for: Other shells, paddlers, bank proximity, and line changes before M-14.

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M-14 bridge

Where: At the M-14 bridge, the final bridge on the downstream return.
Do: Use the coach-assigned side of the river pillar and clear the bridge area before turning or waiting.
Watch for: The pillar in the river, shells approaching from below M-14, current or drift, and returning traffic.
If uncertain: Stop before the bridge if still clear of the approach. Do not stop inside the opening.

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Clear

Clear below M-14

Where: Below M-14 after the downstream bridge sequence.
Do: Clear the bridge area before regrouping, turning, or returning to the lower course.
Watch for: Boats entering the bridge sequence and shells using the below-M-14 round.

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Advanced route

Route 4: Full round

Use this only when your coach assigns the full round. This route adds the full upstream extension, the named bridge sequence, and the Barton Nature Area Trail bridge / Barton turn area.

Launch Argo side Upstream extension Bridges upstream Barton Nature Area Trail bridge turn Return leg Bridges downstream Dock return

Full 1

Launch and downstream side

Where: From the AARC dock onto the downstream side assigned by the coach.
Do: Launch under control, settle onto the traffic side, and confirm the full-round plan before pressure builds.
Watch for: Dock traffic, returning shells, paddlers, swimmers, and the group's spacing.

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Full 2

Argo-side turn / boundary if assigned

Where: Near the Argo-side downstream boundary and coach-assigned turn cues.
Do: Turn before the permanent no-row boundary if the coach uses this as today's downstream limit.
Watch for: The hard no-row line, boats setting up to turn, and shells returning toward the dock.

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Full 3

Upstream extension through the below-M-14 round

Where: Past the small-round upstream turn line, through the below-M-14 extension, and toward the bridge section.
Do: Continue only because the coach assigned the full route, and keep the line predictable through the extension.
Watch for: Fallen-tree cues, weeds, group spacing, and boats still using the small round.

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Full 4

Bridges upstream

Where: Through the upstream bridge sequence on the full route.
Do: Use the coach-assigned openings through M-14, Barton Shore Drive, Railroad, and Barton Nature Area Trail, correct angle early, and pass through predictably.
Watch for: Pillars, the Railroad bridge openings, other shells, and last-second steering.

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Full 5

Full-route bend and Barton Nature Area Trail bridge turn area

Where: At the full-route bend and Barton Nature Area Trail bridge / Barton turn area.
Do: Set the bend early, turn at the coach-assigned point, and clear the area before regrouping.
Watch for: Sharp bend geometry, branches, following shells, and boats already turning.

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Full 6

Return leg toward bridge section

Where: On the return leg from the full-route turn area toward the bridges.
Do: Hold the return side, make early corrections, and keep the group moving predictably.
Watch for: Tree-covered corners, drift, fatigue, and spacing changes after the turn.

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Full 7

Bridges downstream

Where: Through the downstream bridge sequence on the return.
Do: Set the return-side line early through Barton Nature Area Trail, Railroad, Barton Shore Drive, and M-14, expect current, and clear the bridge area before turning or pausing.
Watch for: Current, return openings, bridge approaches, and other shells entering the bridge area.

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Full 8

Return toward dock

Where: From the bridge return area toward the small-round return cue and dock approach.
Do: Hold your side through the corner, scan mixed-use traffic, and prepare early for the dock return.
Watch for: Corner traffic, weeds, small-round shells, paddlers, and swimmers.

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Full 9

Docking

Where: At the AARC dock approach after the full route.
Do: Slow down, use small corrections, and wait for coach direction before docking.
Watch for: Dock congestion, tired crews, coach launches, paddlers, swimmers, and cross traffic.

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