I'm a member of two clubs, and both have a Champion small 'racing' boat. One club bought the boat probably 12-ish years ago, and did not have any idea of how it would handle. The other, WAM, bought one precisely because we wanted to be able to train in it for club crew championships. The other version of small boat produced by Champion is a small 'festival' boat. The larger of my two clubs has two of those as well, plus two standard Champions, and two very old BUKs. My smaller club, WAM, has two standard Champions in addition to our small racing boat. In both cases the small racing boat is rarely used because of it's 'responsiveness' - both clubs paddle on Lake Washington, aka Lake Washing-machine. WAM has been fortunate that when we are training for CCNC, we are able to put in our small boat on a smaller lake that does not get so rough, and moor with another club's boats. So we get to train in it, but in calmer conditions. WAM is looking to purchase another small boat (preferably used) - either a different brand, or a Champion small 'festival' boat so we can take it out in conditions other than dead calm. (As a side note, the Portland OR festival uses 6-16s - I'm trying to talk myself into steering for that event, but my first ever attempt at steering, perhaps 25 years ago, was in a 6-16 and did not go well - no collision or capsize, just could not get control of the boat. It took many years before I overcame that to try steering again, and by then the club had other boats. I performed the club's steering assessment at night in the dark - might sound risky, but no other boat traffic to contend with. Never steered a 6-16 again.) Personally, I prefer the 'heft' of the Champion steering oars, but perhaps that's simply because I use those more frequently. The BUK/Grey Owl steering oars just feel too spindly and fragile to me. But, the club that rents out boats for our local festivals has only BUKs with the 'spindly' steering oars, so part of my training as a race steersperson is to be able to adapt, and I'm able to get in practice steering standard Champions, occasionally BUKS, and rarely, small boats. However, steering for a practice in many respects, (IMO), only partially prepares one for steering a race.

I've registered but probably only able to attend the later sessions : coaching in the morning.

Thanks for sharing that Joann!

Prep for steering a race - Review race rules as provided by the race producer. Attend any pre-race meetings online or in person, as scheduled by race officials. Know how boat needs to be loaded and unloaded, directions for heading to the start line from the docks, and returning. Review maps for the body of water where the race will be held, and research direction of race course (if unfamiliar). Monitor weather forecasts for wind direction. If tidal, research tides for that location. On site, ideally the day before, or very early before racing begins, if possible walk the race course with drummer, and possibly coach. Depending on experience level of the drummer, possibly discuss where the finish will be called. Review race grid and note which lanes the crew is assigned. If possible, watch some other races before own crew's race. During morning 'team chat', if not being covered by the coach, inform the whole crew of important race rules and directions from race officials directly relevant to them. 200m race - be prepared to pay attention to own balance and a 'fast start'. Aim to be well lined up because very little time to correct. 2k - carefully review rules with focus on right of way, turn corridor and how the start for each boat will be called. Attend a 2k pre-race meeting if scheduled. Need to know how boats will be directed to line up and intervals between boats starting, and specific race calls. Ensure the full crew is aware and emphasise the need for them to respond quickly to any commands. Ensure drummer knows how they can signal if a boat is close to overtaking. Once course is set up for the 2k, if possible, look at all the turn makers and be clear on those marking the turn corridor. If possible, watch a race or two.

@Liisa Reimann Oops - typo. Should have been 'turn markers', (buoys).

I don't think I've experienced washriding. Or if I have, I did not recognise it as such.