The Baltimore Rowing Club -- Programs -- Novice

The novice program teaches basic rowing skills to people who want to learn how to row. This program attracts people from all age groups, genders, and skill levels. Whether you rowed a long time ago and want to get back onto the water, or have never before touched a rowing oar or boat, the novice class will get you on your way!

Duration

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

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

You must be over twelve (12) years of age to participate in our Novice programs. High school students are encouraged to join the Juniors program.

Season Schedule

Fall Novice starts Tuesday, July 29, 2008 and runs through Saturday, September 13, 2008.
This class is full and underway.
Summer Novice runs through Saturday, July 26, 2008. Class graduation and scratch regatta are scheduled for Saturday, July 19, 2008.
This class has ended.
Spring Novice
This class has ended.

Classes will meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00pm until 8:00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8:00am until 10:00am. The exception here is the alternate Summer Novice program, which will meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.

Terms & Conditions: Because of the limited availability of novice class seats, cancellations will only be accepted 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.

Registration

Each of our novice sessions costs $200.

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.

The Small Print: When paying registration dues by check, a $25 service charge applies to any checks returned unpaid.

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 (past rower to complete novice).

How many times a week do you meet for the six 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.
The exception is the alternate Summer Novice program, which will meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.

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.; 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.

Rowing Programs : Novice

Continuing Novice