riverside rowing lights

Riverside Rowing Lights – Stay Seen on the Water

What are the best lights for a rowing boat or scull?
Riverside rowing lights are designed to help rowers and scullers stay visible in low light, darkness and poor visibility. They provide bright, waterproof lighting with secure non-drilling mounts, making them simple to fit without damaging the boat.

Riverside lights can also be used on kayaks, paddleboards and other small watercraft where additional visibility is required.

Why do rowing boats need lights?

Rowing lights help other boats and water users see your position and understand where you are travelling. British Rowing points out that boat lights are primarily intended to make the boat visible to others rather than simply to illuminate the water ahead.

When should I use rowing lights?

Rowing lights may be needed during darkness, twilight, dawn, dusk and periods of poor visibility such as fog, mist or heavy rain.

The exact requirements can vary between waterways, so always check the rules of the river, harbour, navigation authority or rowing club where you intend to row.

What colour lights do rowing boats need?

Many rowing waterways specify white lights, but the exact lighting arrangement can vary depending on the waterway and local navigation rules.

For example, some rowing organisations specify a flashing white light at the bow and a constant white light at the stern. Other waterways may have different requirements. Always check the local rules before going afloat.

Should rowing boat lights flash or stay constant?

This depends on the waterway and its navigation rules.

A flashing light can attract attention and make a small rowing boat easier to spot, while a constant light can help other water users identify the boat’s position. Some rowing waterways use a flashing bow light and constant stern light to help indicate the direction of travel.

Where should rowing lights be fitted?

Rowing lights should be positioned so they are clearly visible to other water users and are not obscured by the boat, crew or equipment.

Depending on the boat, lights may be fitted at the bow and stern or in other positions specified by the local navigation authority or rowing club. British Rowing guidance recommends checking that lights are securely fitted and not hidden by parts of the hull.

Do rowing lights need to be waterproof?

Yes. Rowing lights are used around water and can be exposed to spray, rain, splashes and accidental immersion.

Riverside lights are designed to withstand the toughest weather and are capable of surviving a good dunking, making them particularly suitable for rowing boats and other watercraft.

Do Riverside rowing lights require drilling?

No. Riverside lights are designed to be fitted without drilling holes into your boat.

The supplied mounting options provide a simple alternative to permanent fittings, helping you install the lights securely without damaging the hull.

How long do Riverside rowing lights last?

Selected flashing modes can provide 100+ hours of battery life, reducing the need to recharge the lights frequently during the rowing season.

Are Riverside rowing lights rechargeable?

Yes. Riverside lights are USB rechargeable, allowing them to be recharged from a suitable USB power source when required.

Can rowing lights be knocked off the boat?

They can be, which is why Riverside lights include an additional safety lanyard.

The lanyard provides extra security if a light is accidentally knocked by an oar, branch, bank or another object.

Can I use Riverside lights on a sculling boat?

Yes. Riverside lights are suitable for sculling boats and rowing boats, subject to the mounting arrangement and the requirements of the waterway where you are rowing.

Can I use rowing lights on a single scull?

Yes. Compact rowing lights can be particularly useful on a single scull because the boat is narrow and can be difficult for larger vessels to see.

Always follow your rowing club and local navigation rules regarding the number, colour, position and type of lights required.

Can I use Riverside lights on a kayak?

Yes. Riverside lights can also be used on kayaks and other small paddlecraft where a compact, waterproof light is required.

Can I use Riverside lights on a paddleboard?

Yes. Riverside lights are suitable for paddleboards and other small watercraft where additional visibility is required.

Are rowing lights required by law?

There is no single lighting arrangement that applies to every rowing boat on every UK waterway. Requirements can vary according to the river, harbour, navigation authority and local rowing rules.

Before rowing in darkness or poor visibility, check the specific requirements for your waterway. British Rowing advises rowers to understand the navigation rules and the correct lights to use at the location where they are rowing.

Can I row at night without lights?

You should not assume that you can. Darkness and poor visibility significantly increase the risks associated with rowing.

If you are permitted to row after dark, you should use the lighting arrangement required by your local navigation authority or rowing club and make sure all lights are working before launching.

Are lights useful at dawn and dusk?

Yes. Dawn and dusk can be particularly difficult times to see small boats on the water. Using appropriate lights can make a rowing boat more conspicuous to other water users.

If visibility is reduced, check the local rules and use the required lighting.

How far away should a rowing light be visible?

The required visibility distance can vary according to the waterway and its rules. Some rowing clubs specify particular visibility distances and viewing angles.

Rather than assuming that one distance applies everywhere, check the requirements for the waterway where you intend to row.

Are bright rowing lights better?

A bright light can help a small boat stand out against the background, but brightness is not the only consideration.

The light should be positioned correctly, securely attached, visible to other water users and used in accordance with local navigation rules. Excessively bright or poorly positioned lights can also affect the night vision of other people on the water.

What should I check before going rowing in the dark?

Before launching, check:

• Are all the required lights fitted?
• Are the batteries charged?
• Are the lights working correctly?
• Are the lights securely attached?
• Can other water users see them clearly?
• Are they positioned correctly for your boat?
• Do you have a spare light or backup if required?
• Have you checked the local navigation rules?
• Are weather and water conditions suitable for the outing?

British Rowing recommends checking that rowing lights are working and that crews have enough lights and batteries before heading out during the darker months.

What makes Riverside rowing lights different?

Riverside lights combine bright LED illumination, waterproof construction, USB rechargeable batteries, long running times and non-drilling mounting options.

The additional safety lanyard provides another layer of security, helping to prevent a light being lost if it is accidentally knocked from the boat.

Where can I buy rowing lights?

Riverside rowing lights are available from Brightside Bike Lights and are designed specifically with rowing, sculling and small watercraft visibility in mind.

Riverside rowing lights – simple, secure lighting to help you be seen on the water.

Important: Lighting requirements vary between waterways. Always check the current rules of your local navigation authority, harbour, rowing club or governing body before rowing in darkness or poor visibility.