The May 2010 course is now full.
Please email us at to add your name to our contact list and we will keep you informed about
the next course which will probably be in the autumn.
Course details
The course will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings and costs £100 per person.
It will run for 5 weeks after which you'll decide if you want to continue and join the club as a full member. Please note the course is for over 18s only. If you are under 18 and want to learn to row please email our
About the course
The course aims to teach the basic principles and terminology of rowing. We want you to gain a basic level of rowing
ability with which you'll be able to go on and join the novice squad and participate more fully in the sport.
Your teachers will be club members; some of whom are qualified coaches and others who have been rowing for years!
Timetable
Session 1
Introduction to City of Bristol Rowing Club
How to use the rowing machine (ergo) / How to improve your ergo times
Water safety / confidence drills
What to wear - Close fitting gym clothes and a waterproof top layer are essential. Please don't wear baggy clothes as they will get in the way or catch in the sliding seat.
What to bring - Change of kit & towel; it may rain or you may fall in!
Session 2
Introduction to crew rowing
Commands given by the cox
Names of boat parts
The rowing stroke
Outing in the Eight
Training will continue twice a week on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
How to register for the course
Unfortunately this course is now full.
Please email us at to add your name to our contact list and we will keep you informed about
the next course.
IMPORTANT NOTE
All participants on the course must be confident swimmers and should able to swim 100m in light clothing.
A basic level of fitness is required. If you have any concerns regarding your fitness please consult your GP
before starting a new exercise regime. Please tell us of any conditions that may affect your ability to
participate in strenuous activity.
What happens at the end of the course?
If you want to continue rowing with City of Bristol then you can join the club and train with the novice squad.
On the water
Men - Monday & Wednesday at 6.30pm and Sunday from 10am
Women - Tuesday & Thursday at 6.30pm and Sunday from 10am
Land training
In order to be competitive at regattas and head races you'll need to be able to attend 2-3 rowing sessions per
week and do approx two other sessions of 'land-training' i.e. circuits, running, or sessions at your gym.
Recreational rowing
So you love rowing but don't want to row all the time? Well don't worry if you can't row three times a week and
do all the land training. We have growing 'recreational' and 'veteran' squads that you can join!
You can also learn to scull and become a bit more independent.
Why rowing?
Health & fitness
This sport offers a great cardio-vascular work-out. To really master rowing, you need a combination of strength,
flexibility, balance, timing and precision.
Team work
The ultimate team sport. Rowing is about learning to work together. Moving together as one will make the boat
glide through the water. Do things your own way, out of time with your crew and it will soon become very uncomfortable.
Bristol docks
What better way to see Bristol than from the water! We share the docks with many other water users such as
canoes, sailing boats, ferries and swans.
Competition
Rowing at City of Bristol offers the opportunity to compete with the best. During the summer we race at
regattas; boats race in a knock-out competition, side-by-side down courses ranging from 500m to 2000m.
The prizes for the winning crew are usually pewter pint tankards, also known as "pots".
Regattas we usually attend include Evesham, Metropolitan, Llandaff, Ironbridge, Stourport, Bewdley, Henley and
others along the Thames, Avon, Wye and Severn.
During the winter months (October - March) we compete at Head races. These are long distance (3k to 9k)
time trials, the fastest crew in each category winning medals.
Social
We frequently organise social events (pub crawls and formal dinners) for club members to get to know each
other and compare blisters!
Contact the for more information
Further information
Amateur Rowing Association - All you need to know about rowing.
www.ara-rowing.org
Rowing Machine - Exercise programme - Look under 'getting started' and 'technique' for some introductory workouts.
www.concept2.com
