What kinds of boats do you row? 

The boats (or shells) are basically of two types and reflect the two forms of rowing: sweep rowing and sculling. The word shell is often used in reference to the boats used because the hull is only about 1/8" to 1/4" thick to make it as light as possible.     

Racing boats vary in length from 18.3 m (60 ft) for an 8-oared shell to 7.3 m (24 ft) for a single scull. The large, heavy, and often unwieldy wooden rowboats of the past have been transformed into long, slender, and light keel-less shells, built on a wooden or fiber framework, and equipped with seats for the rowers that slide back and forth. The rowers' feet fit into shoes attached to "stretchers" that are fixed to the boat's hull.

In sweep rowing, each person uses only one oar (about 12 ½ feet long) - both hands are on that oar.  Because each rower only has one oar, sweep oar boats must have an even number of rowers (same number on each side). Sweep oar boats include pairs, coxed fours, coxless fours, and eights. (You cannot have a single - you would just go round in circles!)

In sculling, each person uses two oars (each about 9 ½ feet long) - one oar in each hand.  Because each rower has two oars, sculling boats can include single sculls, double sculls and quad sculls.

All new sweep rowers will start out in eights with a cox.  These boats are durable, stable and perfect for a novice.

What equipment do I need?

The Ashland Rowing Club provides all boats and oars.  You will be expected to provide your enthusiasm and good attitude as well as the following:

• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and lightweight shirt are essential in summer
• In winter, you will need long tights or fleece, and tops that can be peeled off in layers as you warm up
• Close fitting shorts or tights that won't get caught in the equipment i.e. bike, dance,  rowing or similar  shorts
• Socks or clean aquasocks are needed to keep your feet comfortable in the foot straps in the boat (Muddy shoes are never worn in the boats!  We take them off and leave them on the dock)
• Water bottle

How fit do I need to be?

Rowers come in all shapes, sizes and ages and rowing is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.  At this point, lack of experience is the rule, not the exception.  The benefits to the athletes go far beyond that of ordinary team sports. Rowing instills discipline and teamwork, teaches perseverance, and builds confidence.

Rowing is a great low impact workout that benefits the entire body, but can be strenuous.  You should consult with your health care professional before participating.  Please be aware that the eight person boats can be quite heavy.  Part of your rowing experience each day will be to carry boats to and from the water, so you must be willing and able to do this.  

In order to row with the club, you will be asked to pass a swim test certifying that you are able to float for at least five minutes and swim at least 200 meters.  Non-swimmers may participate, but must provide their own rowing-specific low-profile personal flotation device (PFD), and wear it while on the lake.

Is rowing safe? What are the common injuries?

Rowing is a very safe and low impact sport but injuries can happen in any sport. The most common injury is blisters on the hands. Rowers should keep blisters clean by washing hands after rowing and using band-aids and tape to keep blisters clean and protected. Rowers will be less prone to blisters as they gain more experience.  Some people choose to wear lightweight baseball batting gloves to protect their hands and it is always a good idea to leave your rings at home.

Rowers may experience sore muscles (especially at the beginning) but should feel better after a day or two. If pain continues or gets worse then let your coach know so they can modify training if necessary. Problem areas are usually the back and knees and preventive steps in training are taken to help reduce the possibility of injuries.

What does it cost?

The Introductory Rowing Clinic fee is typically around $80.

The new member orientation fee: $80 - waived if an Introductory Rowing Clinic is taken.

All New Rowers, whether they have come through
  ~the Introductory Rowing Clinic
  ~private lessons
  ~winter erg classes
  ~previous experience
start their memberships with a NEW ROWER MEMBERSHIP and pay the $80 orientation fee and $145 dues for the first quarter, the same as a seasonal rower.

Thereafter; they can choose to become
 Seasonal members - $145 per quarter - May, June, July, and Aug, Sept, Oct. or
 Annual members ($420/year) and pay
    · Ten installments of $42 - Feb. through Nov.  ($420)
    · or 3 payments of $140 in Feb., May & August.  ($420)
    · or annually ($385, getting a $35 discount for prepayment)

If you join after the start of the new year in February, your fees will be $35 for each month through the following January.

Rowers who have paid the orientation fee and first quarter dues are full members of the club, with all privileges.   They are "Greens" during this 3-month period, but they are members.

Private lessons for NON-MEMBERS are as follows:
    1 person 4 lessons (1.5 Hours) at $160
    2 people 4 lessons (1.5 hrs) at $140 each
    3 people 4 lessons (1.5 hrs.) at $130 each
    4 people 4 lessons (1.5 hours) at $130 each
$80 per person goes to the club as the orientation fee, the remainder goes to the coach.

Private lessons for MEMBERS are as follows:

Anyone who has become an ARC member—new, seasonal or annual—can take lessons from anyone who is qualified (to teach on club equipment that person must be a coach or qualified level-5 sculler) at a price ($0 -- $XX) to be agreed upon between student and coach.  The club does not get paid for this coaching, except for $5 per launch use, since use of the equipment is part of the membership benefit.

Junior Season fees:

September through November                $190
December through February (dry land)   $50
March through May                                  $190
Summer camps:                                       $TBA
Regattas: $TBA per regatta, plus travel expenses & uniforms

Dues are waived for coaches during the months that they coach.  Coxswains who do not row are also exempt from dues.

Short-term scholarships are available for members in good standing who have financial constraints - evaluated by the Scholarship Committee.

Members who choose to race will pay a  racing fee for each regatta they participate in.  This fee will cover race entry fees as well as trailer, coach and travel costs.  Race fees are set each year before the race season begins.

At this time in the club's history, monthly fees may not be sufficient to cover expenses for coaching, equipment maintenance and acquisition, and boathouse expenses.  Members will be encouraged to participate in fund raising events and contribute as they are willing and able.

How do I join?

If you are new to the sport of rowing and would like to learn, the Ashland Rowing Club runs Introductory Rowing Clinics. Our own club members, enthusiastic rowers and volunteer teachers,  coordinate and teach the clinics.  Our Introductory Rowing Clinics are designed for adults ages 19 -99 with no previous rowing experience.  We also currently have a Junior program option for youths between the ages of 12 and 18. The curriculum focuses primarily upon basic boat handling skills and rowing technique.

Clinics begin with land-based classes followed by lake sessions.  The land classes will present safety videos, basic rowing terminology and theory, and will use rowing machines (ergometers, or Ergs) to introduce the rowing stroke.        

During the lake sessions, the new rower learns how to safely lift, carry and place the boat into the water, follow a coxswain’s basic commands, maneuver the boat and row together as a team.

This will give you the basic theory and practice of rowing.  From there you are then able to join the rowing club as a full member if you wish.

We are also offering private or small group lessons for those wishing to learn how to scull, or those who cannot fit the large group clinic in their schedule.

If you are an experienced rower with previous sweep or sculling experience and would like to explore opportunities with the Ashland Rowing Club, please contact us via this webform.

Can I try it out before signing up for a clinic?

Yes, one day a year, typically in early June, we celebrate National Learn to Row Day. This is a free half-day event that gives
attendees a taste of rowing with ergometer (rowing machine) demonstrations, boathouse tours, and on the water instruction with experienced rowers.

Alternatively, if you would like to take private sculling lessons, please send your name, address and phone number via the contact form.  One of our coaches will contact you to arrange a convenient time.

When is the next clinic?

See: the Introductory Clinic page for the latest information.

What can I expect after I become a member?

Graduates of the Introductory rowing clinic who continue as registered ARC members will find the first quarter filled with learning, fun and friendship.  Your group will stay together and be called the "Green" group.  As a Green, your training continues both on the lake and through ERG instruction.  Your first day as a new member (no matter your level of experience) will be partially spent in a club orientation session.

Three coached lake sessions are offered to Green rowers.  We recommend attendance at two lake sessions per week to keep up with the group learning curve.  During the next three months, you will expand upon the basic skills learned in the introductory clinic and begin to develop your aerobic fitness.

As a new member you are eligible to participate in any of the specialty events and clinics offered.

ARC is a volunteer organization and our success depends upon each member doing her or his part. Each member is expected to contribute a minimum of two hours per month in a job of their choosing.

At the end of the first quarter as a Green rower, you will become a Recreational Rower. Your turnout times will change to slightly earlier in the morning. ARC's two primary rowing groups, Recreational and Racing, are described below.

Recreational Program Description -  To be approved by the coach for entry into this group you need good rowing form.  The recreational rowers vary from a relaxed attitude to more intense focus on their fitness and rowing goals.  Once you join the Rec group, you will most likely find other rowers with similar goals and attitudes.

You may have a desire to race and either your form or your fitness level is not quite "there" at the end of several months of rowing.   Talk with your coach about creating a training plan.  You may find others within the recreational group with whom you are very compatible for training.

Racing Program Description - Rowing experience and form, level of fitness, and commitment to racing are prerequisites as we focus on preparing to race in masters' competitions.  Members are expected to participate in three rows and two erg pieces a week and to participate in at least one sprint and one head race each year.   All year-round members are eligible to try out for the racing team.  Coach approval is required.

Qualifying 1000-meter erg scores are as follows:
•       Women 50 years and older - 4:30
•       Women 49 years and under - 4:20
•        Men - 4:00

Do I have to row at 5:30 in the morning?

No! Although our racing teams do practice early in the morning, other groups row at a more "reasonable" hour.  The Green rowers (Learn to Row Clinic graduates) typically row at 9:15am on Saturday and Sunday, with one turnout during the week at 7:15am.  In the summer our Recreational group typically meets at 9am on both weekend mornings with one 7am weekday.

The turnout schedule (arrival times) we are currently following is shown below.  Please allow 1 ½ to 2 hours, keeping in mind that equipment must be brought down to the shore from the boathouse before your practice and put back in its place before your turnout is over.  Please be on time, be flexible, and let the coach know if you have time constraints.

Below is a typical turnout schedule:

 Sunday - Men's Racing – 6:00AM
                Women's Racing – 7:30AM
                Recreational – 9:00AM
                Green - 9:15 AM

Monday - Men's Racing – 5:30 AM
             
Wednesday – Women's Racing – 5:30 AM
                       Green - 7:15 AM                  

Thursday –  Recreational - 7:00 AM
               
Friday – Men's Racing – 5:30AM           

Saturday – Women's Racing– 6:00AM
                  Small Boat Turnout - 7:30AM
                  Recreational 9:00AM
                  Green - 9:15 AM
             

Do you row in all weather?

Rowing takes place in almost all weather conditions. If the weather is too bad to row (high winds, thunder and lightning, rain plus cold) your group will work out in the boathouse and rowers should bring tennis shoes. Rowers should be prepared to row in light rain by bringing a rain jacket, layers of clothing, and dry clothing for after their turnout.     

When the racing team travels to regattas, coaches may not be available to coach recreational or other rowers remaining at home.  In this case, you will be encouraged to come and work out together in the boathouse to continue your improvement.

What if I don't want to row through the winter?

The primary goal of the seasonal recreational rowing program is to provide an opportunity for rowers who prefer rowing in the fairer months. All experienced rowers and rowers who have completed the ARC clinic are welcome. Seasonal recreational rowers will enjoy all the benefits of membership during May through October. Fees are $145 per quarter.

Seasonal recreational rowers will row with the recreational group, and may attend any Level I or II ERG classes usually held at the boatbarn. Special fitness center use agreements with the YMCA and SOU provide all members with additional resources for fitness equipment.

Sculling, coxswain and specialty clinics are all offered during the seasonal recreational session May 1 through October 31st.

How long before I’m good?

Rowing requires a combination of coordination, dexterity, balance, flexibility and understanding of the stroke mechanics. Some people pick up the basics quickly, while others may need more time. You will see a noticeable improvement after every practice, and continue to learn your entire life. To improve to a competitive level requires a combination of aerobic capacity, strength, endurance and power.
 
At the learn-to-row stage, we request that all participants be patient, since it is a team sport and there will be a range of abilities and skill levels in every boat.
 
Participants may be asked to take a turn at "coxing" occasionally. Sitting in the coxswain's seat provides a great view of the crew’s timing and technique.

Can I join the racing team?

All full-year members are eligible to join the racing team if they wish.  Qualification is determined by a combination of a 1000-meter erg test and the coach’s evaluation of your skills in the boat.  It may take anywhere from three months to a year before you acquire the skills necessary to qualify for the racing team.  Members are encouraged to make their goals known to the coaches, so they can assist you in your training.    

What if I don’t want to race?

That’s o.k.!  Our experienced recreational rowing program is designed for those who are interested in rowing for exercise, fun and the joy of being in the outdoors.  Full-year or seasonal rowers may participate in this group, which rows three times a week.

There are opportunities for recreational rowers to participate in select regattas if they choose to do so. One such race is the annual Portland Race for the Cure in September. This event is a fundraiser for breast cancer research. Another is the Rural Henley (typically held in July) in Klamath Falls where all levels of rowers are welcome.

I want to learn to row a single.  Can you teach me?

Yes.  We have private and small group lessons available which focus on learning to row a single scull.  This is a good option for those who are not interested in or cannot fit the Learn to Row Clinic in their schedule.  Please contact us via the contact form and we will have one of our instructors contact you.

I’m interested in coxing; can I join the club?

Yes!  If you would like to train and compete with a fun group of oxygen-loving people, while basking in the appreciation of your teammates, this job is for you.  Coxswains not only direct and steer racing boats powered with as many as eight rowers, but also share an exciting ride when the crew clicks together under their guidance.

Coxes are typically women under 120 pounds or men under 130 pounds, but we can be flexible about that.  Call us – we need you on our team!

Please see our Coxing page for more information.

Ok, I'm ready to try it.  How do I sign up for the next clinic?

See: the Introductory Clinic page for the latest information.

If you would like to get started right away, we also offer private lessons or small group clinics. Please contact us via the contact form.