What does rowing involve?

  • Rowing is a very low-impact total body workout
  • Believe it or not, the legs are worked the hardest in rowing, not the arms!
  • Fairport Crew club uses boats that accommodate either 4 or 8 rowers and are sweep-style (each rower has only one oar)

·      Eight-person boats (we call them “eights” ) are approximately 60 feet long and 22 inches wide.  They are made of about ¼-inch thick fiberglass or wood.

·      There is a coxswain who sits in the stern of the boat.  This person serves as an additional coach, and steers the boat.

·      Each oar is about 12 feet long and floats.  While you are only in a 20” wide boat, you will have 12-foot oars attached to the boat on either side.  It is virtually impossible to flip over in an eight.

 

·      Please note:  While the boats only hold 8 rowers, we are registering 9 people for each.  Please expect to ride in the launch or substitute into another boat on ONE of the eight evenings.  On most nights, someone from your boat will be absent and this serves to alleviate the need to constantly find subs for rowers.  

 

Why row?

  • Rowing is a great total body workout
  • Rowing is one of the most team-oriented sports around
  • Rowing is a lot of fun and great stress relief

 What will be taught in the Learn to Row program?

·         Water safety

·         Boat handling techniques and commands

·         Proper rowing technique

·         On-the-water commands

·         Teamwork – how to get the boat to stay balanced while all eight people are rowing

 

Is the Learn to Row program for me?

·         We hope so!  The program is taught by coaches who were high school or collegiate rowers and/or coach for the high school team during the year.  There is one coach per boat, so you will receive individualized attention as well as group instruction.  The coaches will help the rowers in your boat get to the point where they can all row at once and compete in a mini-competition against another boat.  However, the focus is not on competitive rowing, but on teamwork and fun. 

·         Our program is intended for anyone ages 18 and up.  We always have people of all ages, shapes and sizes, backgrounds, and physical fitness levels.  You do not need to be in top physical condition in order to participate.  However, we do want you to be aware of the fact that you will be helping to carry the boat, which will be about 25 pounds of weight above your head.     

·         No, you are not expected to know ANYTHING about rowing!  We start with the basics.  The first night will be held entirely on land, and will introduce you to the equipment, vocabulary, commands of rowing, and routines such as how to carry and get in and out of a boat.  This first night will be held at the Pittsford Indoor Rowing Center (PIRC), and you will also be rowing in the indoor tanks. 

 

What do you need for the sessions?

  • Snug-fitting shorts or pants (very baggy shorts or pants can get caught in moving parts of the boat).  No, spandex is not required!
  • Comfortable layers, since the evenings sometimes get chilly.  Very long shirts will need to be tucked in the back so they don’t get caught in moving parts.
  • Water bottle
  • Socks
  • Sturdy shoes (you will be taking them off in the boat, so you’ll want shoes that are easy to slip on and off, but still have traction and will stay on your feet while carrying the boat).  Sneakers, Crocs, Teva-type sandals, or water shoes also work.  Flip flops are probably a bad idea.  For the night at the tanks, sneakers are best.
  • Possibly a hat and/or sunglasses.  While we are rowing in evening sun, it can still be pretty hot.
  • Stay hydrated and eat something before you come.

If I want to do a little conditioning in order to be more prepared for rowing, what can I start doing now?

  • Note:  This is NOT necessary!  However, many people do ask this question.
  • Cardio training.  You will be rowing lightly for the first few sessions but we will be building you up to some steady rowing pieces by the end.  Any cardio training is helpful, such as walking, biking, etc.
  • Stretching.  Rowing involves some reaching and pivoting through the hips.  Any stretching you do will be helpful, especially stretching your hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves.
  • Shoulder work, such as the overhead press.  Since you will be carrying the boat over your head, this will help.
  • Leg work.  Remember, rowing is a leg sport.  Your seat moves so that you can kick off the foot stretchers with your feet.   Working your quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves on a piece of equipment such as the leg press will help.

What opportunities for continued rowing are available in the Rochester area? 

  • You can return next summer to participate in our Advanced Rowing Program.  Sorry, we can't have any adult sessions in the fall or spring because the high school program utilizes the boathouse and equipment almost every night.
  • Genesee waterways  has an adult rowing program that meets several days a week, in the mornings.
  • For women, Adventure Out! offers both indoor fall sessions (at the Pittsford indoor tanks) and outdoor rowing in the spring and summer.