LEARN TO ROW

Are you looking for a new activity for the spring or summer, and enjoy physical activity while being on the water? The Annapolis Rowing Club offers a Learn to Row (LTR) program to teach and share our love for rowing. Rowing is a full-body, low-impact sport that uses 86% of your muscle mass. Sweep rowing (as opposed to sculling) is where the rower has one oar, and rowers learn to row together in an 8-person rowing shell. We have an exceptional team of coaches who are ready to introduce you to the sport of rowing. If you have an interest in learning to row, or if you have had a long layoff from the sport and would like to refresh your rowing abilities, we encourage you to sign up for LTR. Seats are limited to 12 participants per session.

Learn to Row is a two-day session held on Saturday and Sunday. Each lesson is four (4) hours.

What will you learn?

During LTR you will learn the following, with the goal to feel more comfortable in a sweep boat and have fun learning how to row:

Introduction to the rowing stroke
Nomenclature and terminology of rowing
Safety equipment and ARC's Rules of the Row
Preparing the boat to row
Launching, rowing, and returning to the dock
Turning, steering, and backing the boat
Mastering timing while rowing in unison with your boat
Weather considerations and traffic patterns on waterways

Learn to Row FAQ

Do I need prior experience to learn to row?

No. Annapolis Rowing Club’s LTR classes are designed to teach beginners who have no experience rowing in a shell.

At what age can you learn to row?

ARC teaches the sport of rowing to athletes as young as 18, and there is no upper age limit. Some of our members continue to enjoy the sport into their 70’s and beyond.

What are the physical requirements?

While rowing is a low impact sport and people of any age, body type or level of physical fitness can participate, the sport does require the ability to lift heavy boats above your head and carry them to the water (working with a team), and to listen to and follow directions from coaches and coxswains. If you have any concerns about your ability to meet these minimum requirements, please contact us at ARCPrograms8421@gmail.com.

What should I wear to my Learn to Row class?

Wear form-fitting bottoms (spandex preferred) and a shirt that does not go down below the hips (sweat-wicking preferred). The rowing shell’s seats roll on wheels, and long or loose-fitting clothing can get caught and/or torn.
Wear socks and sneakers. There will be a land portion of the class when you can wear your shoes. Also, the hill at the boathouse leading to the dock can be slick without proper shoes. For the rowing portion of the class, there are shoes already fitted in the boat. You’ll be able to leave your shoes on the dock and you’ll want to wear socks with the shoes in the boat.
Wear a hat or visor, sunscreen, and sunglasses for protection from the sun. Even if the weather is cloudy, the reflection off the water can still be strong, and we will be spending as much time as possible on the water. Hats are also helpful in the rain to keep your vision clear.

What should I bring?

Bring plenty of water. We will be outside and active for much of the time. We highly recommend bringing extra water, including a water bottle with ice you keep in the car for afterward.
Bring a light snack. Four hours is a long time for physical activity. You will want a snack to have the energy to finish each session.

What happens if there’s inclement weather?

If there's a chance of rain, we will still hold the class. Be sure to bring some wet weather gear because we will be outside much of the day. However, if there is a safety red line, such as conditions involving high winds or lightning, class will be cancelled. The coach will make the call based on the best available weather predictions and we will promptly notify you. If we need to cancel a day or end early, you will be offered the opportunity to attend a make-up session.

Have other questions? Contact our Programs Coordinator: ARCPrograms8421@gmail.com