Tag: Learn to Row events

  • National Learn to Row Day 2021 Is June 5: Visit Your Local Boat Club

    Saturday, June 5, 2021, marks the 20th annual celebration of National Learn to Row Day, an occasion sponsored by U.S. Rowing in an effort to introduce the wonderful, rewarding sport of rowing to people of all ages and fitness levels.

    Though last year’s #NLTRD offerings were understandably limited, this year organizers are dialing up the efforts with safe, educational, and fun virtual and in-person programming. In fact, U.S. Rowing is expanding the 2021 observation to National Learn to Row Week, providing free webinars and virtual erg classes from June 1 to 4.

    As a company founded by rowers for rowers, RowingPad is passionate about spreading the good word about our sport and its many benefits. Rowing connects you to nature AND provides a full-body workout. It’s an excellent activity for teenagers in search of a challenge and plenty of camaraderie. And of course, rowing is equally rewarding for adults of all ages—the barriers to entry are low and our community is incredibly welcoming!

    Our home state of New Hampshire is a prime region for rowing, with numerous high school and collegiate rowing programs and an abundance of scenic waterways and lakes. With such a rich rowing heritage, many local rowing clubs go to great lengths to connect with potential new participants in their communities and make rowing accessible for all. Check out our roundup of regional Learn to Row events taking place June 5, 2021. (Tell them your friends at RowingPad sent you!)

    Looking to row in another beautiful corner of the country? Use U.S. Rowing’s map to locate a boat club near you and check out the offerings for new rowers. 

    If ever there were a year to embrace the freedom of the outdoors and pursue a new activity you have always been curious about, 2021 is certainly it! Happy rowing to all for this year’s Learn to Row. And always remember to grab your RowingPad boat or erg pad before setting off on your next rowing adventure.

    GREAT BAY ROWING CLUB (DOVER, NH)

    Join the Great Bay Rowing Club at the Dover Boathouse on River Street from 3 to 6 p.m. on June 5. (You might see a friendly face from RowingPad there too!) Along the banks of the Cocheco River, GBR coaches and athletes will provide tours of the docks and boathouse, teach the basics of the rowing stroke on the erg (rowing machine), and get willing participants out in a boat to test their new skills on the water. This wonderful local club 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. It also has adaptive rowing equipment available. Registration required. Sign up here for a one-hour time slot.

    AMOSKEAG ROWING CLUB (HOOKSET, NH)

    Those along the more northern reaches of the Merrimack River have a great rowing resource in the Amoskeag Rowing Club, which operates out of their boathouse in Hooksett. Plans are under way for Learn to Row Day 2021, but the club suggests checking in with them to get the most up-to-date details, due to changing Covid-19 safety guidance. ARC is planning to hold their event a week after the national observance, so mark your calendar for Saturday, June 12. From 9 to 11 a.m., you can stop by for an open house, tour of the facilities, and some instruction on rowing technique, then hop into a boat for a free 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.

    CONCORD CREW (CONCORD, NH)

    To celebrate Learn to Row 2021, this nonprofit, competitive regional rowing team based on the Merrimack will be holding an open house and free rowing experience for middle and high school students. If you have a young person in your life who has expressed interest in rowing, Concord Crew and its youth programming (for boys and girls in grades 8 through 12) is a top choice for them to learn sweep oar and sculling technique. event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 5. Stop by on Saturday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to take a tour of the boathouse (located at 15 Loudon Road), talk to the coaches, 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.

    SQUAM COMMUNITY ROWING (HOLDERNESS, NH)

    Looking for a more in-depth introduction to rowing? Check out Squam Community Rowing’s 3-session Learn to Row program for 2021, which kicks off with a first lesson on Saturday, June 5. This excellent local club was established in 2013 to bring together individuals with a passion for rowing, maintain lifelong fitness and protect the natural beaut and peaceful character of Squam Lake. But in an area defined by its beautiful bodies of water, the cost seems well worth it to explore rowing—and it includes your lesson that day, plus 3 additional sessions with an experienced rower, and the fee can be applied to a yearly membership should you choose to join. Advance registration is required, so claim your spot now to test the waters and consider becoming a part of this growing rowing organization. (Rain date: Sunday, June 6)

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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

    Photo courtesy of Great Bay Rowing Club
    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)
    Photo courtesy of Essex Rowing Club

    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)
    Photo courtesy of Concord Crew

    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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