2010 Learn to Row Classes
The Williamsburg Boat Club will present Learn to Row (LTR) classes open to anyone 14 years old or older in March, April, and June of 2010. The March LTR class will consist of a minimum of three indoor rowing lessons and a minimum of three water lessons. The April and June LTR class will consist of one land-based lesson and a minimum three water lessons. The cost is $100 per person for each of these classes. (Participants will get more land-based coaching and instruction in the March LTR class than those in April or June.)
Email us at williamsburgboatclub@gmail.com or call Coach Bob Morrison at 757-846-6860 to let us know you’re interested or if you have any questions.
March LTR Class Format:
The March learn to row class will consist of indoor rowing lessons taken weekday evenings over a two week period. Each lesson will take approximately one hour. These sessions will be held at the William and Mary Recreation Center on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings March 16-18 and March 23-25. The indoor lessons will use ergometers (rowing machines) to introduce rowing terminology and proper rowing technique. Participants are expected to attend a minimum of three of the six scheduled sessions. Upon completion of three indoor rowing sessions, participants are welcome to attend any remaining LTR indoor rowing sessions or the club’s regularly scheduled indoor rowing practices, if they so desire, at additional no charge.
After completing the indoor rowing lessons, the LTR class participants will then be expected to attend a water lesson at our rowing venue at the Chickahominy Riverfront Park, just off Route 5 (here’s a map to the location) beginning at noon on Saturday, April 17. At this first water session, the class will learn proper bladework (i.e., handling and controlling an oar) and then go out on a two-hour lesson. This class starts at 12 noon and will conclude by 4 pm.
Class participants are expected to attend at least one more Saturday water class held the next two consecutive Saturdays, April 24 and May 1. At these sessions, which will start at 11 am and end by 4 pm, the class will have a two-hour water practice which will be videotaped. We will return to the dock, have a snack or light lunch and review each rower’s technique as captured by the videotape. Then we will be head out for another two-hour water lesson. Participants are encouraged to attend all three Saturdays of water LTR classes, but at a minimum should attend the class on April 17 and at least one more Saturday session, April 24 or May 1.
The focus of these classes is to learn the proper rowing technique, so while competitive rowing is among the most physically demanding of sports, we will not be competing in these classes. We’ll practice for proper style and technique, not strength or speed.
April and June LTR Class Format:
The April and June Learn to Row classes will not have any prior indoor rowing classes (as in the March class), but will start with outdoor sessions at our rowing venue at the Chickahominy Riverfront Park, just off Route 5 (here’s a map to the location). Class participants must attend the first class, starting at 11 am on Saturday April 17 and June 19 (respectively). We will instruct the participants in proper rowing technique using ergometers (rowing machines) and dockside rowers and then conduct a water lesson in a rowing shell. Class will conclude by 4 pm. Participants are expected to attend at least one more Saturday LTR session which will be held the next two consecutive Saturdays. Those dates are April 24 and May 1, and June 26 and July 3. Those additional Saturday sessions will start at 11 am and end by 4 pm. These sessions will consist of two water practices. We will videotape the first practice and then return to the dock. We will have a light lunch and review each rower’s technique as captured by the videotape. Then we will be head out for another water lesson.
April LTR class participants are encouraged to attend all three Saturdays of water LTR classes, but at a minimum should attend the class on April 17 and at least one more Saturday session, April 24 or May 1.
June LTR class participants are encouraged to attend all three Saturdays of water LTR classes, but at a minimum should attend the class on June 19 and at least one more Saturday session, June 26 or July 3.
Before you row:
Participants will need to complete and sign three forms prior to the water practices. These include a standard USRowing Release and Waiver of Liability, a brief medical history form and a swim test verification form. For the swim test, participants 18 or older can either demonstrate or verify they can swim a minimum distance of 75 feet, tread water or float for 5 minutes, and don a personal flotation device (life vest) while in the water. Youth rowers (17 years or younger) will need to perform this swim test and have a witness such as a parent, guardian or certified life guard co-sign the verification form. All required forms will be emailed to participants prior to the class, and participants are requested to bring the completed forms to the first session (along with a check payable to the “Williamsburg Boat Club” for $100).
What to wear and bring:
Participants should not wear loose or baggy clothes as these may get caught in the boat while rowing; we recommend wearing compression shorts or sweat pants and a t-shirt, sweat shirt or light jacket. Do not wear bracelets, watches or rings, as these tend to become uncomfortable while rowing. Please bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses (consider wearing a strap or lease for glasses), socks, and shoes you don’t mind getting wet (the dock we use floats on water and submerges a bit when launching and recovering boats). Rowing shoes are attached inside the boats, so bring socks to wear in the boat. If you need to carry any medicines, such as an asthma inhaler, bring those along and the coach in the safety launch will hold those for you. While on the water, we will have several breaks to get some fluids, so bring plenty of water or sports drink and some sort of light lunch.
To read some background information on rowing, we recommend you visit and explore the USRowing website.
