Learn to Row
Learn to Row
Learn to Row at Reading
Novices. We run an annual intake for novices by running run our Introductory Sessions from early March, these will be followed by Beginners course after Easter and when we have more light during the day and better (safer) conditions on the river.
Prior Rowing Experience - those with prior rowing experience and feel they do not require a learn to row course (sculling) remain welcome to apply for Club Membership - link here for the application form - this form is used by both Adults and Juniors. We do recommend contacting the appropriate Vice Captains prior to applying just to say hello, and sound them out about getting an assessment with them if appropriate. Also check there is space and the squad times for that particular squad will work for you.
Safety - Rowing is physically demanding, from your finger tips to your toes and on water. The water presents a significant danger, especially when moving fast in a boat. It is important that individual declarations of fitness or medical conditions are carefully and accurately completed. Safety is at the foremost in our minds and failure to declare important on going medical conditions may impact on our insurance cover for you. Please be aware that many of our learning rowing boats have a maximum individual weight limit in the region 100kgs.
Learning to Row - our approach is to start to learn to row by sculling, that is where a rower controlling two blades/oars. This is the same for Adults and Juniors. Adults will move on to Sweep rowing, one blade/oar per person, after gaining sufficient sculling expertise. Juniors may gain some sweep experience when opportunities arise but will mostly look to race in various types of sculling boats.
Junior (U.18) NOW scroll down tO the Junior Section further down this page.
ADULT LEARN TO ROW
First we need your Expression of Interest form this includes some important declarations and information about you.
Those with No Rowing Experience - if you have no rowing experience we need you to complete a single Introductory Session. Our Introductory Session lasts about one hour at the club and is land based. It is a chance to look at the club and equipment and understand what it is you are undertaking and the physical demands of rowing and in particular safety on the water. This session will be in groups of up to 12 and cost £10/head. Current date options are the weekends leading up to Easter and are held on Saturday and Sunday after 12 noon (time tbc). We may run some sessions later, possibly nearer October, but much depends on the level of membership uptake by those on the earlier courses. Our Introduction sessions are are booked on first come first served basis.
To Book a Introductory Session Place (a link will be added here when sessions dates available) and fill in the details required against a vacancy. The course fee of £10 is needs to be paid before your place is confirmed, preferably by bank transfer. You will also not be accepted unless we have your Expression of Interest Form - as above.
Beginners Course. Our Learn to Row courses all start with sculling (each person has 2 blades/oars). You will row in both crew boats and single sculls.
The Beginners courses are run after Easter until early October. The course is open to those who have attended the Introductory Session, but also those who already have some rowing experience and want to learn to scull.
This course is structured in 2 stages. Stage One last 6 sessions over 6 weeks, each course must have 5 students to be effective. After Stage One you graduate to Stage 2 for a further 6 sessions of instruction. Each Session lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Those applying to join as a cox, can do this course for free.
The Beginners course is designed to introduce you to sculling as a complete beginner. You will learn about rowing terminology, what the rowing stroke consists of, how to apply it on the indoor rowing machine (ergo) and then on the water. The first two sessions are vital to learn and understand the technique.
Beginners Course Dates will be passed to those that attend the Introductory Session as well as directly to those with relevent rowing experience. They will all be run at the weekend starting in the early afternoon on both Saturdays and Sundays. We are not running mid week sessions.
Be aware that events on or around our stretch of River such as the Reading Festival (July) and Reading Amateur Regatta (June), Reading Canoe Club events mean that not every weekend can be used on the water and courses therefore can take longer than just 6 weeks in a row. We will organise courses on Saturday and Sunday afternoons close together so there may be flexibility with timings and days over each weekend, but please try to be available for the first two sessions.
Joining the Club.
The papers you completed thus far will have the effect to register you as a Temporary Club Member. As such you are able to attend social events and use of facilities, including the indoor rowing machines and the weights gym, when they are free from block booking by Squads - no additional costs are involved as this is included in the Course Fee.
Once both stages of the beginners course are completed we will assess your ability and give you a frank opinion of your capability and what the club can best offer you. We realise that rowing is not for everyone and we do lose students at various stages.
To continue you will need to join as a full club member and complete the Club Membership form (which at this stage does mean repeating some information - sorry). Check out the members page of the website and scroll down to see the costs of membership.
Routinely on joining the club you will join our Improver’s Squad where you will recieve further coaching with a view to progressing into the Men’s, Women’s, Master’s Squads, or if you simply wish to enjoy recreational rather than more competitive rowing, then progress to join our Explore Squad. Initially your training sessions will be later in the morning or afternoon, once you move up to the main squads you may start to have sessions in the morning.
Improvers’ Squad. This Squad was set up to develop individual skills with other Improvers at the speed you are best able to, possible complete further courses but when you graduate from the Improvers’ Squad you will:
be boat fit.
be able to scull and hopefully row both sides.
possibly be able to cox.
have hopefully competed in a local club Regatta and/or Head Race, usually in same gender crews for those intending to move to the competitive squads, but this is not always the case and mixed crews can race and train.
Those who wish to race seriously will be prepared so they can compete for a place in the main racing squads and we actively encourage you to do so. It is not intended that Improver Squad ‘crews’ moving up to senior squads will necessarily remain as unified crews as they need to be integrated into the senior racing squads so that we can field the best available crew for any event.
Adult Prices and Costs summary
Introductory Session - £10
Beginners course costs - £180 each stage
Joining the Club:
Joining Fee - £30, but if you join within 1 month of end of your Beginners course this is waived.
Subscriptions - as listed at Members tab, 1st month waived if you pay using the online direct debit option.
Expression of Interest Form
Register your Express of Interest on a course by clicking here.
If you have questions before you apply please contact beginners@readingrc.com.
JUNIOR LEARN TO ROW
Junior learn to row courses - 2024
We are planning to run a number of learn to row courses again this summer and are able to offer the following courses subject to demand:
Monday 15 – Friday 19 July 09.00 – 12.30
Monday 15 - Friday 19 July 13.30 – 17.00
Monday 22 - Friday 26 July 09.00 - 12.30
Monday 29 July - Friday 2 August 09.00 – 12.30
Monday 29 July– Friday 2 August 13.30 – 17.00
The cost of a course is £260 per week per person.
Course duration
We have found that the optimum course duration are half day courses held over 5 days and providing a total of 10 sessions, 2 each day. There will be a structured programme including both land and water training with the aim of teaching those attending the basic skills of rowing/sculling. The main focus will be on water based activity and give participants the opportunity to learn in both crew boats and single boats. There will be a maximum of 12 participants on each course.
Ideally prior to the course participants should complete a swim/capsize test. This will most likely be held at Queen Anne’s School in Caversham or Rivermead Leisure Centre. Confirmation of dates and details will be sent nearer the time.
Payments and Deposits
A deposit of £50 is payable on booking. This is refundable up to four weeks before the course commences. If cancelled within four weeks of the course date it is not refundable.
Final payment of £210 to be made at the latest two weeks before the course commences.
The cost of the courses includes the cost of the swim/capsize test. Please note that participants will need to provide their own food and drink during the courses.
Joining the Junior squad at RRC
On successful completion of the learn to row course participants may be offered the opportunity to join the RRC Junior squad, this would normally be in September. It should be noted that we cannot guarantee a place for everyone as we currently have a large squad and are restricted in terms of both coaching and equipment resources.
Booking a place on a course
If you would like to reserve a place on one of the courses please click the link to access the booking form here
You will need to book on one of the dates
These courses fill up very quickly so please complete the booking form as soon as possible to ensure a place.
Once attendance on a course is confirmed a membership form will need to be completed for each participant and further information will be sent approximately a month prior to the commencement of the course.