First Time Rowers FAQ
Preparing to Practice
What should I expect?
You can expect to have fun and work hard! We will start you off on-land learning the rowing basics on a stationary rowing machine called an erg. In the Learn to Row and Modified programs, once you're comfortable on the erg, you'll move into a stationary training boat. In these individual boats you'll be able to row at your own pace under the supervision of our coaches. As you master the training boats, you will progress up into more responsive singles. On the Novice team, after learning the basics on an erg, you'll get put into a 4 or 8 person boat with other new rowers and together you'll be coached through the basics up to race speed!
What should I wear to practice?
Wear clothes that are comfortable for exercising and appropriate for the weather. We will go out in all conditions - hot, cold, rain, snow, etc. The only conditions that prevent rowing are thunderstorms, high winds, and fog. Check the weather frequently and come prepared for the conditions.
Rowers do not have to wear life vests while rowing if they have passed a swim test. If they do not pass a swim test or if they prefer to, they are welcome to wear a life vest which we can provide. In our programs, rowers are always accompanied by a coach in a motor boat. The coach has a number of safety items including a life vest for every rower in case of emergency.
What else should I bring to practice?
A water bottle–the boathouse doesn't have a drinking fountain. A rain jacket for rainy days, hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses for hot days.
Are there bathroom or shower facilities at the boathouse?
The bathrooms at the boathouse are operated by Stewart Park. The bathrooms usually do not get opened officially until approximately 8:00 a.m., when the park officially "opens". Thus they are not usually open at the beginning of morning practices and classes. In recent years, we have been able to open them early, but rowers should plan on them being closed.
There are no shower or locker facilities at the boathouse. Bags and personal belongings can be locked in the boathouse during the class or can be left in your car. Rowers can use the park bathrooms for changing afterwards, but we do not have a locker room or changing room.
Will practice be cancelled?
Practice is rarely, if ever, cancelled. On days that weather prevents rowing we will do a workout on land.
Lateness and Missing Practice
Can I arrive late/leave early from practice?
Practices will begin promptly at the scheduled times.
If you will need to miss practice or expect to be late, please let your coach know in advance. Similarly, rowers needing to leave more than 15 minutes early should contact the coach via e-mail or phone at least 12 hours in advance to discuss options. It is very difficult for a rower to leave early as it requires an entire boat plus a coach to come in early. Please do not schedule other commitments that will require a rower to leave early.
I'm going to be late or miss practice! What should I do?
If you are going to miss a practice, please make sure to let your coach know in advance. Use email if it is more than 12 hours in advance. If not, call the coach directly. If you will be arriving more than 5 mins late, please give your coach a call and let them know. Often we can wait for you, but it is very helpful to know that you are coming. In rowing, you have to have the right number of people to fill a boat, so communication is key.
Can I make up a missed class or practice?
(Adult LTR and Rec Classes) We generally run multiple sessions at a time. If you miss a class, you may make it up by attending the other class. Please email or call the coach of that class to make sure they will have space for you to join.
I have a commitment one day/week, can I still row?
(Scholastic) Generally no - especially when we row team boats, everyone must be present for the boat to be able to go out.
What should I expect?
You can expect to have fun and work hard! We will start you off on-land learning the rowing basics on a stationary rowing machine called an erg. In the Learn to Row and Modified programs, once you're comfortable on the erg, you'll move into a stationary training boat. In these individual boats you'll be able to row at your own pace under the supervision of our coaches. As you master the training boats, you will progress up into more responsive singles. On the Novice team, after learning the basics on an erg, you'll get put into a 4 or 8 person boat with other new rowers and together you'll be coached through the basics up to race speed!
What should I wear to practice?
Wear clothes that are comfortable for exercising and appropriate for the weather. We will go out in all conditions - hot, cold, rain, snow, etc. The only conditions that prevent rowing are thunderstorms, high winds, and fog. Check the weather frequently and come prepared for the conditions.
- Clothing should be form-fitting and not baggy. Loose or baggy clothing can get caught on the oars and seats of the boats.
- For bottoms: Shorts should be compression -think spandex. Long/loose shorts will get caught in the seat and cannot be worn in the boat. Dicks often has compression shorts. Online, you can find rowing shorts at JL Sports or Boathouse Sports.
- On your feet: Wear athletic/running/tennis shoes. Practices will include running, erging, and stretching on land, which will require shoes. Once you are in the boat, there are shoes that are attached to the boat. You just wear socks in the boats.
Rowers do not have to wear life vests while rowing if they have passed a swim test. If they do not pass a swim test or if they prefer to, they are welcome to wear a life vest which we can provide. In our programs, rowers are always accompanied by a coach in a motor boat. The coach has a number of safety items including a life vest for every rower in case of emergency.
What else should I bring to practice?
A water bottle–the boathouse doesn't have a drinking fountain. A rain jacket for rainy days, hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses for hot days.
Are there bathroom or shower facilities at the boathouse?
The bathrooms at the boathouse are operated by Stewart Park. The bathrooms usually do not get opened officially until approximately 8:00 a.m., when the park officially "opens". Thus they are not usually open at the beginning of morning practices and classes. In recent years, we have been able to open them early, but rowers should plan on them being closed.
There are no shower or locker facilities at the boathouse. Bags and personal belongings can be locked in the boathouse during the class or can be left in your car. Rowers can use the park bathrooms for changing afterwards, but we do not have a locker room or changing room.
Will practice be cancelled?
Practice is rarely, if ever, cancelled. On days that weather prevents rowing we will do a workout on land.
Lateness and Missing Practice
Can I arrive late/leave early from practice?
Practices will begin promptly at the scheduled times.
If you will need to miss practice or expect to be late, please let your coach know in advance. Similarly, rowers needing to leave more than 15 minutes early should contact the coach via e-mail or phone at least 12 hours in advance to discuss options. It is very difficult for a rower to leave early as it requires an entire boat plus a coach to come in early. Please do not schedule other commitments that will require a rower to leave early.
I'm going to be late or miss practice! What should I do?
If you are going to miss a practice, please make sure to let your coach know in advance. Use email if it is more than 12 hours in advance. If not, call the coach directly. If you will be arriving more than 5 mins late, please give your coach a call and let them know. Often we can wait for you, but it is very helpful to know that you are coming. In rowing, you have to have the right number of people to fill a boat, so communication is key.
Can I make up a missed class or practice?
(Adult LTR and Rec Classes) We generally run multiple sessions at a time. If you miss a class, you may make it up by attending the other class. Please email or call the coach of that class to make sure they will have space for you to join.
I have a commitment one day/week, can I still row?
(Scholastic) Generally no - especially when we row team boats, everyone must be present for the boat to be able to go out.
