Learn to Row

Learn To Row 
Have you seen the rowing at the Olympics or the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race on the TV?
 
Have you thought that there is no way that you can do that kind of thing – that rowing is for really fit and tall people…..? 
 
Well think again…. Rowing is an activity for everyone – for people who want to go out and race to win and for those who want to simply mess around on the river. It doesn’t matter what your age is – you’re never too old or young to learn to row. 
The Devil’s Elbow runs it British Rowing approved ‘Learn to Row’ course in the spring. This works well and gives the novices the chance to embed their new skills over the rest of the summer.
 
The course is limited to 12 people, on a first come first served basis. 
 
INCLUDED IN THE COURSE :
5 (2.5hr) sessions plus capsize drill and mini fun races
• Safety briefing
• Mini Races
• Opportunity to try out different boats and types of rowing
• British Rowing Explore Rowing Course handbook
• British Rowing membership for 3 months once joined the club.
• British Rowing trained coaches.
 
Ideally we would like you to attend all 5 sessions and the races to make the most out of your time with us.
There are various follow-on options from the course if you decide you would like to join the club and take up rowing, coxing or even volunteering. 
Frequently Asked Questions about ‘Learn to Row’
 
Q: Do I need to be able to swim to attend the course?
A: It is a requirement for the course that you can swim 50 metres in light clothing, swim 5m underwater and tread water for 2 minutes. Buoyancy aids are available for anyone who is not a confident swimmer, but these can interfere with rowing technique and you are strongly advised to be a confident swimmer before starting the course. Coxes wear a buoyancy aid at all times regardless of swimming ability. This will be tested at the mandatory Swim Test and Capsize drill in a local swimming pool. 
Q: How much does the course cost?
A: The fee for the course is £85. This includes an Explore Rowing Handbook, temporary club membership, coaching and training from qualified British Rowing coaches. 
 
Q: Do I need to be able to attend every session? 
A: No, although the more you can attend the better to ensure you are progressing at the same pace as everyone else on the course.
 
Q: When do I pay the course fee?
A: To guarantee your place on the course you will need to pay the fee when you sign up, by BACS using the bank details on the application form, via PayPal or by sending a cheque payable to “Devil’s Elbow Rowing Club”.
 
Q: Do I need to sign anything?
A: Yes, you will need to fill in a temporary membership form before you can start the course. We do need to have these in advance, either by email or post. 
 
Q: How long will the sessions last?
A: The water sessions will typically last about 2.5 hours. This includes the time to get the boat on and off the water.  
 
Q: What do I need to wear for the first session? 
A: The first session will be an introduction to the club, some safety issues and some technique work on the ergos (rowing machines). For this session you will be fine with typical gym clothing. We will cover water based clothing during this first session.
        
Q: Will we be out in boats every session?
A: This depends on weather, light levels and availability of volunteers. We will always try and get everyone out on the water for each session.  
 
Q: Do I need to be super fit to do the course?
A: Not at all, anyone is welcome to join regardless of fitness levels. Like many sports if you wish to compete then rowing does take a lot of commitment, but we welcome recreational rowers.  
 
Q: Am I going to fall in?
A: Although we can’t 100% guarantee you won’t fall in, it’s very rare when in the types of boats you will be using. We will cover all aspects of water health and safety on the course and coaches will be available on the bank should an incident happen.
 
Q: What if I’ve done some rowing before?
A: If you have some previous experience of rowing then get in touch and we will assess how best to fit you into the club.
 
Q: Where can I find out more information about rowing before the course start date? 
A: The best place for information about rowing is the sport’s national governing body: http://www.britishrowing.org/
You can also see useful content on the Novices page of our rowing resources section. Click here
If you think you would like to be part of our next Learn to Row and be the first to know when it starts,then contact our membership secretary using the website contact form or through membership@devilselbowrowing.co.uk