Have you ever wondered what it’s like to row? Have you seen rowing boats out on the river, and thought “that must be so much fun”? Have you always looked for a fun-filled, team building sport, but weren’t sure where to go? Well, look no further. Capital Rowing Club offers thorough, 5 week novice sessions that provide all the instruction and equipment necessary for you to learn the basics of the sport of rowing.

You don’t need to have any previous experience. And you don’t need to be in tip-top shape. Our talented coaches and enthusiastic volunteers guide you through a series of hands-on lessons, introducing you to equipment, the language, and the basic rowing technique.  Friendships grow over the course of the session, as people learn to work as a team, both on land and on the water. And if that’s not enough, you also get to explore and see parts of the Washington DC landscape that most residents and visitors never see – a view from the river. It’s really quite unique.

The session meets for 5 consecutive weekends, 3 hours each day, on Saturdays and Sundays. The classes are kept to a maximum of 30 participants to allow for personal interaction between our coaches, volunteer assistants, and our novices.  Over the session, participants learn every aspect of sweep rowing, including:

         Boat safety

         Equipment terminology and care

         Rowing terminology

         Basics of the rowing stroke and body mechanics

         Blade (oar) technique

         Use of rowing machines (ergometers)

         Fundamental boat topics such as set, run, ratio, and timing

         Introduction to training and racing

A typical practice might consist of the following activities:

         A light jog and stretching

         Land coaching via demonstrations on the ergometers (ergs)

         Light erg sessions to practice technique and body mechanics

         Rowing on the water using a training barge or in 8-person or 4-person rowing shells

At the end of the session, our novice rowers participate in fun, local races against other novice rowers. With the strong foundation in rowing that they receive, graduates of our novice classes are prepared to continue their journey into rowing with Capital’s Club programs. To find out more about the 2008 Novice Sweep Learn to Row Program Registration information contact learntorow@capitalrowing.org.

To see the 2008 Novice Sweep class schedule and fees click here.