BRC offers Novice classes three times a year: spring, summer, and fall.

Each Novice class is about seven weeks in duration. Practice consists of meeting at the boathouse three days a week within the seven week period.

You will learn to proper form on the ergometer (indoor rowing machine) before moving to on-the-water training in four-person and eight-person boats. A USRA-certified coach will give you rowing instruction from a motorized launch boat as you row.

At the end of each Novice session, we hold a breakfast and "scratch regatta" so that all BRC members can welcome you to the club (and to the thrill of racing down the river against another crew)!

Graduates of the Novice program are invited to join the Continuing Novice Program. This program is geared towards further skill set building for sweep rowing. Please go to the Continuing Novice program description to get more details. Prorated fees are offered to those completing the Novice program.

Students who are at least twelve (12) years of age encouraged to join the junior novice program, where they will learn how to row and race with other middle and high school students.

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Classes will meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00pm until 8:00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8:00am until 10:00am.

Terms & Conditions: Because of the limited availability of Novice class seats, cancellations will only be accepted until one week prior to the start of classes; no refunds will be given after that time. Refunds will be given in the form of checks, minus a service fee of $25. As with all of our programs, there is a $25 service charge for any checks returned upaid.

Each of our Novice sessions costs $225.

After the sessions are completed and the Novice class graduates, you are encouraged to sign up for our Continuing Novice program. This program is geared towards further skill set building for sweep rowing. Please go to the Continuing Novice program description to get more details.

How many people register for each class?

We limit each class size to 24 people. This allows for appropriate training and learning. Each class is a mix of various age groups (20s to 50s) from both genders. Each class also has varying degrees of rowing experience, from former rowers to complete novices.

How many times a week do you meet for the seven-week period?

The classes meet three times a week: Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00am until 8:00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8:00am until 10:00am.

Where does the class meet?

At the boathouse. The address for the boathouse is: 3301 Waterview Ave, Baltimore, Maryland, 21230. Ample free parking is available on site. When attending practices, please walk around the base of the building and enter the boathouse through side of the building facing the water.

How many coaches teach the program?

Two USRA-certified coaches teach each Novice class.

What if I am unable to attend all the days in a week, or have to miss a few days?

That is ok. We encourage people to attend as many as possible to provide for continuum of learning. However, the skill-sets learned are basic and are learned by repetition and a few days missed in between will not drastically affect your learning.

The coaches usually have extra sessions for eager learners and for those who may have missed a class or two to catch up. Our emphasis is for you to learn and to provide you with as much possible water time to learn.

What happens after I graduate from the Novice program?

After the sessions are completed and the Novice class graduates, you are encouraged to sign up for our Continuing Novice program. This program is geared towards further skillset building for sweep rowing. Please go to the Continuing Novice program description to get more details

What do I need to bring for the first day of class?

All rowing equipment -- oars, boats, etc. -- will be provided by the club.

The following items are recommended:

T-shirts, shorts, and a good pair of socks; moisture-wicking fabrics are the best choice.

Shoes or sandals. The boats are equipped with rowing shoes; your own shoes are taken off and stored in the boat while rowing.

A bottle of Water or sport drink for hydration.

Any medications you need, especially inhalers.

Gym bag, to store belongings, an extra set of socks and clothes, etc.

Small lock to keep your belongings secured in our lockers.

The first class will also provide further details on what you can and cannot bring.

I need more information.

Contact the membership chair, Megan Sikora.

After graduating from the novice program, new rowers are invited to continue their Baltimore RC membership through the rest of the season (and beyond). We call this category Continuing Novice; rowers are absorbed into the Open sweep program and remaining club dues are prorated depending upon your graduating novice class.

Continuing membership for spring, summer, and fall novice graduates will start immediately after the end of your novice class and last through the rest of the season.