The club wants you to feel welcome and valued as a new or prospective member and hopes this Introduction and Guide will help you to make a good start. The aim is to get you rowing in a boat as soon as possible but there is much to learn and the club is keen for you to be comfortable and confident about your first experiences.
To introduce you to the correct technique, you will begin by rowing on an ergometer (rowing machine). You might have used one before at a fitness centre but you will be shown how to develop a good action for rowing in a boat – and this is likely to be a slightly different action from the one you might have used previously.
Your first outing on the water will probably be in an eight. You will spend most of the first outing rowing two or four at a time so that the boat stays stable and you can learn to row and keep in time with others. Being able to keep in time and do things in harmony with the other members of your crew is the most important aspect of rowing. The exhilaration of being part of a crew that works together to move the boat quickly and effectively has to experienced to be believed!
How do I get started?
To get started, simply contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it who will be able to tell you more about what is going on at the club, show you round the clubhouse and put you in contact with the relevant Vice-Captain. It won't be long until you get onto the water, either with a novice crew or by entering the Learn2Row Programme.
Your First Visit
Your first visit to the club will be an opportunity to meet members of the squad, to look at the facilities and to row on an erg. The introduction will be done by one of the coaches or one of the more experienced members of the club. Bring a change of clothes, a towel and wear close-fitting sports clothing and a windproof top. The initial experience can be confusing as at times the boathouse can be very busy and it takes time to get crews organised. You might be able to go out in a boat in your first session but, for insurance reasons, you must complete an application form and medical screening form and pay your membership fee first.
Watch a random crew (not RRC) of beginners in action on YouTube.
Do I have to be fit before I start?
While it is advantageous to have a high level of fitness before you start, there is no need to undertake a fitness programme before starting rowing. Your coach will be able to advise you on what sort of exercise to undertake.
The Hidden Costs
The current membership costs are listed on the "Join" page, but there are other costs that may surface once you begin rowing.
Once you are ready to race you will need to register with the http://www.britishrowing.org/ the governing body for rowing, (where you can download a registration form). This costs about £42 per annum for adults and there are reduced rates for students and juniors. For this you get insurance and a monthly magazine. You will also need to order an all-in-one lycra to race in, which costs about £40. Details on how to order these, along with other non-essential club clothing, can be obtained from the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or alternatively our club section on the Pontoon or Godfreys websites.
Race entry fees at races are about £8-£10 for each event entered. It is usual to race no more than one or two events a day. There are no race fees for coxes.
Jargon & Glossary
Rowing, like most sports is full of jargon. Click here for the basics offered by the ARA.
There are numerous technical terms used in rowing and some words are used to name pieces of equipment and as commands. Below is a link to a list of some of the terms that you are likely to come across. It is not necessary to learn these before coming down to row as it is easier to understand what all the parts are when you have a boat in front of you.
Glossary of Terms (pdf opens in new window)
What clothing do I need to wear?
The type of clothing required during training is dictated mainly by the weather. In cold weather, several layers of thin but warm clothing are required. During the outing you will become warmer and you can take some layers off and put them in the storage compartments in the boat. Clothing should not impede your rowing by catching on your hands or the blades. In the winter, coxes should make sure that they have several layers as they have to sit still for long periods of time. Coxes can also borrow kit from rowers as they discard them. In the summer, sunburn is the main concern as exposure to the sun has double the effect with sunlight reflecting off the water. Rowers are expected to wear the club's all-in-one lycra during races, but they can wear whatever they like with extra garments over the top while warming up and extra garments in the winter.
Health and Safety
You must be able to swim at least 50 metres in light clothing and be confident swimming underwater. If you have any doubts about your ability to undertake strenuous exercise, you must consult a doctor before taking up rowing.
Within the first month of taking up membership, you will be required to take a Capsize and Swim test which we arrange at a local swimming pool. Your coaches will advise you when these take place.
