Learn To Row.

So you’ve decided you’d like to have a go at rowing. Well we might be a little bit biased but we think you’ve made a fantastic decision. Rowing is a great activity – whether you are looking to get fit, compete or simply enjoy messing about on the water.

Whatever your shape, size or age it has something to offer everyone – you don’t have to be a 6 foot athlete to take to the water.

And you don’t need to buy lots of new equipment before you start – it’s all provided.

Nottingham Rowing Club runs Learn To Row courses for adults (over 18s) throughout the spring/summer/autumn of each year. Each course consists of a weekly two-hour coached session for a total of eight weeks, with sessions either being in boats on the water or using the rowing machines in our well-equipped gym. We aim to do as much as possible on the water, but occasionally you may have to do some planned water sessions indoors due to weather conditions at the time.

We teach all beginners how to ‘scull’, which is rowing with one oar in each hand. The other rowing discipline, which we don’t teach on the L2R courses, is ‘sweep’ rowing, where each rower has one oar held in both hands (like the Oxford v. Cambridge Boat Race).

Over the duration of the course you’ll learn all about handling boats, and how to row safely on the Trent both on your own and in crew boats. We start you off in stable recreational boats to help you develop your technique, then, as your confidence grows, you’ll have the chance to try ‘fine’ boats which are narrower and faster. By the end of the course, our aim is that all participants are able to row safely and with confidence.

Although the sessions are planned in advance, the coaches will develop each individual participant at their own rate, so you won’t be rushed or asked to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.

Outside of the set sessions you’re able to use the club’s facilities outside of peak times. We run an indoor gym session on Friday at 6 pm which provides you with a chance to improve your fitness and ergo (rowing machine) technique, which really helps with water sessions.

Learn To Row courses (8 Sessions) cost £120.00

After completing a Learn To Row course you may wish to join the club as either a competitive or recreational rower – the options depend on your competence and whether you want to train to race or simply continue to row for general fitness and the pleasure of getting out on the water.

Anyone joining the club from an L2R course will go into the Improvers group, who meet on Tuesday (6 – 8 pm) and Saturdays (1 – 3 pm). A different coaching team runs these sessions – their aim is to give participants the opportunity to practise what they’ve learned and get to a level where they’re competent and confident to arrange their own outings with others from the club (if they want to, of course).

People who are interested in rowing for enjoyment and fitness will join the non-racing group, who generally go out at less busy times of the day (generally late-morning / afternoon).

Participants who want to go on and race for the club will need to reach minimum standards of technique and fitness in order to join one of the competitive racing squads. These groups train early in the morning and in the evening.