Please note: WRC will hold two Open Houses on Saturday, March 25th and April 1st from 9:00 am-12 noon. They will be at our Boathouse at 501 A Street, Wilmington — please stop by if you have questions about any of the following info on Learn to Row (or on our other programs). No registration/RSVP needed; just stop by!
Wilmington Rowing Center’s Learn-to-Row courses are a series of six (6) two to three hour sessions for adults over the age of 18. Designed to give prospective rowers an introduction to the sport, our classes focus on the basics of sweep rowing. No prior rowing experience is necessary.
Learn-to-Row starts indoors with safety training, boat handling basics, and the teaching of the rowing stroke on rowing machines. Subsequent sessions will be on the water with students joining experienced rowers in 8-person shells. The courses are taught by an
experienced coach. By the end of the course, you will have learned the basics of sweep rowing and upon graduation you will be able to join the rowing club, if you choose to do so.
Please note that rowing is a physically demanding sport that uses your entire body. Rowers are required to carry boats and oars at each practice, which requires enough strength to lift at least 35 pounds over head. If you are unable to squat, put weight on your knees, or have concerns about your participation in boat carries, please contact us directly.
Cost for each session is $300. The Learn-to-Row sessions will run in May this year. It is important to attend each of the six (6) sessions during the week. Each class is limited to eight (8) students. Registration is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment must accompany registration; registrations without payment will not be honored. Registration will open mid-March!
Upcoming 2023 Learn-To-Row Classes:
Session 1: May 13 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM and then May 15-19 from 6:00 AM-8:00 AM
Session 2: May 13 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM and then May 15-19 from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Session 3: May 21 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM and then May 22-26 from 6:00 AM-8:00 AM
Session 4: May 21 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM and then May 22-26 from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Note: For all sessions, please arrive 15 minutes before class start time.
All Learn to Row participants are required to provide a swimming certification at the start of the session. Swim certifications can be completed at local YMCAs (even for non-members) or sports clubs.
COVID and Safety: WRC has a strong commitment to maintaining the health and safety of our rowers and has worked very hard to ensure our rowing club is operating in a safe manner. If you are considering participation in Learn to Row this year, it is important that you know that we are requiring all participants to demonstrate that they are fully vaccinated (to include vaccine boosters). If you have any questions about the Learn to Row program, please contact Donna Butler at WRCRowingChair@gmail.com.