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June 2nd Is National Learn to Row Day: Get Out There and Try It!
June 2nd Is National Learn to Row Day: Get Out There and Try It!
This Saturday, June 2, 2018, marks the 17th annual observance of National Learn to Row Day, an occasion sponsored by U.S. Rowing and Concept2 in an effort to bring the joy of rowing to people of all ages and fitness levels.
Across the country, rowing clubs and health clubs will be hosting special events and promotions to increase awareness of the sport and attract new participants. Current competitive and recreational rowers are encouraged to bring friends and family to a workshop, class, or exhibition so they can test the waters (or an ergometer) for themselves.
As a company founded by rowers for rowers, RowingPad is passionate about spreading the good word about our sport and its many benefits. To celebrate National Learn to Row Day this year, we are offering free shipping on all purchases for the entire month of June. (Use the code “RPLTR” at checkout.)
Looking to get involved in a Learn to Row event in the New Hampshire area? Check out our roundup of several great ones taking place this weekend and hosted by some pretty wonderful rowing clubs and organizations in our local area. For those farther afield, check to see if your area has a local rowing club or search for a registered event on the U.S. Rowing website.
We hope this year’s Learn to Row initiative brings the joy of rowing to many lucky people—both in our backyard and in the many beautiful rowing communities around our country.
NEW HAMPSHIRE AREA LEARN TO ROW EVENTS
Great Bay Rowing Club (Dover, NH)
Join the Great Bay Rowing Club at the Dover Boathouse on River Street from 12 to 4 p.m. for special learn to row programs along the banks of the Cocheco River. This wonderful local club, which operates out of both Jackson’s Landing in Durham and Dover and shares facilities with UNH, offers everything from learn-to-row programs and sculling classes for juniors (grades 8 through 12) and adults to competitive racing for all ages and levels. (You might even catch one or two RowingPad representatives there taking part in the on-water fun and checking out the new docks just installed by the boathouse!)
Essex Rowing Club (Methuen, MA)
For those who live closer to the NH-MA border, the Essex Rowing Club is an active, award-winning rowing club committed to providing athletes of all ages the guidance and resources to reach their potential in the sport. This Saturday, get insider access with a boathouse tour and guided introduction on that notorious indoor rowing machine, the erg. Then head out to the scenic Merrimack River for a taste of on-water rowing. The club specifies that absolutely no experience is necessary to participate, saying “Don’t worry, our boats have training wheels!” The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 656 Lowell Street.
Amoskeag Rowing Club (Hooksett, NH)
Those along the more northern reaches of the Merrimack River should head to the Amoskeag Rowing Club Boathouse in Hooksett this Saturday for a morning of introductory rowing fun. From 9 to 11 a.m., stop by for a tour of the facilities and some instruction on rowing technique, then hop into a boat for a little on-water lesson. Who knows? You might want to sign up for one of the adult or junior learn-to-row sculling programs on the spot and find yourself participating in the annual Blue Heron Regatta come August. (The club also has a solid FAQ section on its website that might answer any question you have about the sport or the on-water rowing experience in general.)
Concord Crew (Concord, NH)
If you have a young person in your life who has expressed interest in rowing (or perhaps just enjoys the outdoors or water activities in general), head to the Concord Crew event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday. This nonprofit, competitive regional rowing team based on the Merrimack focuses on teaching boys and girls in grades 8 through 12 sweep oar and sculling, and this weekend it’s hosting an open house for both middle and high school students. Take a tour of the boathouse (located at 15 Loudon Road), try out the rowing machines and even head out on the water with some of the club’s experienced rowers and coxswains to get a feel for the sport. The club emphasizes the team aspect of rowing: “All of the students—boys and girls, everyone from varsity first boat to sixth boat—train together, practice together, race together.”
Independence Rowing Club (Nashua, NH)
For those along the Merrimack in southern New Hampshire or northern Mass, stop by the Independence Rowing Club’s newly completed boathouse at 75 Crown Street. From 10 a.m. to noon, the IRC will be offering free instructional rowing out on the water to guests of all ages who are interested in checking out the sport. This well established club, which was founded in 1973 by a handful of competitive rowers from New Hampshire and Massachusetts and counts Olympic and National team rowers among its ranks, offers programs that covers all stages as newbies progress from introductory learning to preparing for popular local head races as well as private lessons. What better way to foster a newfound love for rowing than among some of the sport’s most talented members?
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