Rowing Beginners

Are you looking to become a new member at Warwick Boat Club?

Juniors:

Our Junior Rowing Section for 14-18 year olds restarted in September 2023. For further information, please refer to our Junior pages.

Adults (18+) Taster Day:

A taster session is a great way to try out the sport with like-minded people without committing to a full course or membership. These sessions are fun and are aimed at complete beginners, with an opportunity to try out rowing on the indoor machines first, followed by a coached outing on the water. Please fill out this form to get on the mailing list, so we can alert you of any future taster days.

Adults (18+) Learn-to-Row:

Our Learn-to-Row (LTR) courses attract many newcomers to the sport, and equip them with all the basic skills to scull or sweep-oar row safely. Courses last 4 weeks, with two sessions per week, and are designed to allow people to try the sport and decide if it suits them, without a massive initial outlay. Contact learn-to-row@warwickboatclub.co.uk for details. 

We are very happy to announce that the 2024 dates for the next LTR course are as follows:

Session 1: Wednesday  27th March  6-7.30pm
Session 2: Saturday  30th March  9:30-11am
Session 3: Wednesday  3rd April  6-7.30pm
Session 4: Saturday  6th April  9:30-11am
Session 5: Wednesday  10th April  7-9pm at Oxford Rowing tank (TBC)
Session 6:  Saturday  13th April  9:30-11am
Session 7:  Wednesday  17th April  6-7.30pm
Session 8:  Saturday  20th April  9:30-11am followed by coffee/brunch at the club house

Please note that it is expected that participants attend every session.  Rowing is a team sport and you will frequently be working in groups of four which cannot take to the water if someone is missing. Our course progresses very quickly so multiple absences will limit its effectiveness for you, therefore if you feel you will have difficulty in attending every session then please consider whether you might prefer to wait for a later course, as there are many people on the waiting list who would value your place.

The course is for complete beginners and suitable for any age (18+) and fitness levels, however for safety reasons we do expect basic mobility, e.g. you need to be able to squat (to get in and out of the boat) and look behind you (to steer a boat).

The sign up for this spring's LTR will be done by ballot and we have 10 places available at £180 for the eight sessions. Please follow this ballot link to apply. Please only sign up if you can attend the course.

Please fill out this form to get on the mailing list, so we can alert you of any updates and future course dates.

 

Completed the LTR?

Once completed, athletes who join the club are then welcomed into the Club Squad with like minded people to allow them to hone their skills, and progress towards the status of a racing crew. We run coached sessions on Saturday mornings, specifically tailored to bring more experienced rowers and new novices together to receive coaching, find new crew combinations, and transition to the senior squad.

Novice racers then progress through the established classifications of the sport based on their performances at regattas.

New and experienced coxes are particularly valued, and assisted in their development by experienced cox-coaches.

Coaches assist all club members whenever required.