Union Rowing Club Learn-to-Row Program

This is a 6 week program, 2 x a week. We are running and adult and junior session over the same weeks. This means that if for some reason you cannot attend a session, you can pick it up in one of the other sessions.

When:

Juniors

Usually starting in the third week of August

Tuesdays 4 pm to 5.30 pm

Sundays 10am to 11.30 am

Adults

Usually starting in the third week of August

Wednesdays at 5.30 to 7pm

Thursdays at 5.30 to 7 pm

If you want to join in, please put these dates and times in your calendar now to avoid double booking closer to the time. Please arrive 10 minutes prior so we can get the most out of each session.

Where:

Union Rowing Club Shed

Kerrs Reach

Cross Avonside Drive on Kerrs Road and enter into the parking lot. We are the second compound on the left. The shed closest to the water, it has a Union sign on it.

What you need to bring:

  • Running Shoes (required for ergometer/rowing machine practice and warm-up)

  • Socks

  • Slides (optional but quicker when getting on and off the water)

  • Close-fitting clothing like tights

  • Layers of close-fitting clothing for the top of your body, a fast-wicking fabric or woollen singlet or short-sleeve top/a couple of long-sleeve tops, vest or outer shell jacket with zipper pockets. Dress for the weather. Know that for the first few weeks, you will be doing a lot of sitting and balancing the boat while others row, so keeping warm is important.

When the weather warms up:

  • Sunglasses

  • Sunscreen

  • Hat

  • Water bottle

Skills Required:

You/your parent or guardian need to sign off that you can swim 50 metres and tread water for 5 minutes. This is Rowing NZ’s agreement with Maritime NZ which allows us to row without flotation aids on Kerrs Reach.

You will be required to fill in a waiver on your first session asking you to declare any health issues you may have, that we should be aware of, when coaching.

For Learn-to-Row, you need to be only moderately fit, and able to lift and handle a boat. They are not very heavy, but each crew has to lift them above heads when launching and retrieving the boat from the water.

Cost:

$150 incl GST. payable to URC account 03-0802-0096251-000

Please use the rowers’ name and L2R as references. Payment is due ahead of the first session.

Indicative course content:

1. Basic technique training on a rowing machine – Concept 2 ergometers

2. Introduction to and care of rowing skiffs and other equipment, river rules and safety.

3. The basic elements of the rowing stroke – catch, drive, finish, drop out and recovery.

a) sculling (focus is on sculling)

b) sweep-oaring

4. General fitness for rowing

On completion of the course, new rowers (novice rowers) can continue to row, provided they join the Union Rowing Club as full members. In that case, the fee paid for the learn-to-row course will go towards the annual club subscription. Ongoing coaching will be provided relative to the rower's ambitions, recreational or competitive.

Contact: Deb Hymers-Ross (club captain) 021-273-8115 urcclubcaptain@gmail.com