Learn to Row Camps & Clinics

Learn to Row Camps and Clinics are designed for anyone age 12+ who has never rowed before and is enthusiastic to try a new activity. Participants learn rowing technique, boat handling, rowing vocabulary, safety, and teamwork. Indoor rowing machines (ergs), a state-of-the-art rowing tank, and racing shells (adult and high school only) are used.

*Clinic and High School Camp participants: bring an extra t-shirt and pair of shorts for the swimming evaluation which will be done at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center pool during the last half-hour on the first day. Sorry, transportation not provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I take a Learn to Row Clinic?

Not only is there a complete set of vocabulary and procedures associated with rowing, but new rowers need to learn proper technique and bladework. Since the rowing motion is repetitive, it is very important to be instructed on how to perform it correctly so the maximum benefit of the exercise is obtained and injuries are avoided. New rowers must also learn to match the style of the other rowers in the boat, so they can synchronize their rowing motions.

Why should I try rowing?

• To build cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength: Rowing is a one of the most efficient total-body activities to get in shape and stay healthy. Rowers can burn over 600 calories per hour.
• To exercise as part of a team: Working out in a team atmosphere can be a great motivator.
• To be out on the water: It is great fun to be out on the water and gives a sense of adventure compared to many other workouts.
• To participate in a community activity: We have fun social activities about once a month where rowers meet outside of practice. Hawkeye Community Rowing is a great mix of people from the community who you might otherwise not meet.

How can I prepare for a Learn to Row Clinic? Do I need to be young, athletic, and fit?

You do not need to prepare! Actually, practicing on your own using a rowing machine is usually detrimental. Most people do not have correct rowing form before being taught, so developing proper technique can make learning more difficult if prior muscle memory must be “unlearned”.

Do I need to be young, athletic, and fit to row?

People of all ages are welcome and encouraged to participate! Hawkeye Community Rowing has a good portion of adult rowers in their 50s and 60s. There is no age limit on rowing, and it is a very suitable exercise for all ages since it is low-impact and performed in a sitting position. Learn to Row is appropriate for nearly all fitness levels. Rowing is not physically strenuous at first because proper technique and body positioning is learned while rowing slowly. As technique and fitness develops, rowers will have longer, more intense workouts with greater resistance.

Do I need to be able to swim?

If you are not able to tread water, swim, and put a personal floatation device (PFD) on while in the water, you must wear a PFD during on the water practices. The personal floatation devices are easy to row in with a low-profile, inflatable design.

Will I have to swim in the river?

Larger four- and eight-person boats are very stable. One-person racing shells are much less stable and can be flipped over. New rowers begin in the more stable boats, and as they improve balance and technique, may have the opportunity to row in a smaller, less stable boat, if desired. Safety procedures for getting back in a boat are discussed during a mandatory safety meeting before going on the water.

What should I wear?What do I need to bring?

All equipment is provided. Participants should wear exercise clothes and a clean, dry pair of shoes in the winter. Rowers may also want a water bottle and towel for more intense workouts. During the on-the-water season, rowers need to have clothing for indoors and outdoors. Clothing should not be overly loose or baggy since extra material can get caught up in the sliding seat or hands. Also be sure to have sunscreen and sunglasses or a hat when it’s sunny.

Where do you row?

We row a three-mile stretch of the Iowa River between the Iowa River Power Dam and the Burlington Street Dam in Iowa City. We meet at the P. Sue Beckwith, M.D., Boathouse in Terrell Mill Park at 1209 North Dubuque Street. If the Iowa River is flowing too fast, on-the-water practices are moved to the Coralville Reservoir in the spring and fall.

When do you row? What about the winter?

We row year-round. The on-the-water season is generally April through October. The indoor season is November through March. There are early morning, later morning, and evening weekday practices and weekend practices.

My upper-body is not very strong. Can I still be a rower?

Absolutely! The most common misconception about rowing is that it is an upper-body sport. It is actually a total-body sport. All of the major muscle groups are used—particularly the larger, stronger leg and back muscles since rowing shells employ sliding seats.

I have rowed before. Do I still need to take a Learn to Row Clinic?

Not necessarily—it depends on your previous rowing experience. Please contact the Rowing Coordinator to determine whether a Learn to Row Clinic is appropriate for you.

Adult and High School

Adult and High School Rowing is for the experienced adult and high school rowers. (New, inexperienced rowers need to take a Learn to Row Clinic or Camp before joining this group.) All rowing and fitness levels are welcome to participate. Adults with previous on-the-water rowing experience should contact the Rowing Coordinator to determine whether a Learn to Row Clinic is needed. On-the-water practices may include sweep rowing, sculling, the rowing tank, or rowing machines (erging) depending on the river flow, weather, and number of rowers. Rowers are not required to come to all practices, only as many as fit into their schedule.

Mandatory Safety Meeting:

All new rowers must attend a safety meeting and swimming evaluation before rowing on the water. The swimming evaluation is done at the Campus Wellness and Recreation Center pool. Rowers must wear a t-shirt and shorts in the pool for the swimming evaluation. Safety meetings are scheduled on an individual basis for new rowers.

Practice Schedule Coached practices:

• Sun. 4:30-6:00 PM
• Mon. 5:30-7:00 AM, 7:00-8:30 AM, 4:00-5:30 PM, 6:00-7:30 PM
• Wed. 6:00-7:30 PM
• Thurs. 5:30-7:00 AM, 7:00-8:30 AM, 4:00-5:30 PM, 6:00-7:30 PM
• Fri. 5:30-7:00 AM, 7:00-8:30 AM
• Sat. 8:00-9:30 AM

Open, unsupervised erging:

Workout and circuit options will be available. Dumbbells, mats, etc. may be used. You may also choose to erg during any on the water practice.

• Sun. 6:00-8:00 PM
• Wed. 6:15-8:30 AM

Fees - Option 1: Unlimited Rowing

$75/1 month
$280/4 months ($70/month)
$780/12 months ($65/month)

Fees - Option 2: Per Practice

5 row package $50 ($10/practice)
20 row package $180 ($9/practice)

Adaptive Rowing

Watch the Access Iowa interview about Adaptive Rowing here

Adaptive sports have grown tremendously over the past 20 years giving people with disabilities many more opportunities to stay active. Rowing is an easily adaptable sport for persons with physical and intellectual disabilities. Modifications to equipment, instruction, and the rowing stroke can be made as needed. Because the rowing stroke can be segmented into the legs, trunk, and arms, adaptive rowers may row all three parts of the stroke (LTA), trunk and arms only (TA), or arms only (A) depending on their physical capabilities and comfort level. The repetitive nature of the rowing stroke also makes rowing well-suited for people with intellectual disabilities.

Coaches will work to develop the best modification(s) for each individual. Common adaptations are wide, stable two-person boats with sliding seats, single-person boats with stabilizing pontoons, fixed seats for boats and rowing machines, lap belts, chest straps, and handle grips. Rowers with vision loss, hearing impairment, paraplegia, quadriplegia, amputations, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, Downs Syndrome, autism, and other disabilities are able to enjoy the sport. Potential rowers are encouraged to contact the Rowing Coordinator and/or Adaptive Coach for more information.

Adaptive Rowing is open to people age 12 and up.

Volunteers and Partner Rowers

No rowing experience is needed to volunteer or be a partner rower. Volunteers may help move boats, transfer rowers in and out of boats, assist with straps and seats, and/or direct boats on the dock. Launch (motor boat) drivers are also needed. Partner rowers have the opportunity to row in a two-person boat with adaptive rowers. Family and friends of partner rowers are welcome to join and help out.