The Introduction to Sculling class focuses on the basics of rowing that will help you decide how you want to advance forward in your rowing experience. The two 3-hour sessions across a Saturday and Sunday focus on building the foundations of rowing technique, boat handling, and safety to set you up for success during a more specialized Learn to Row class. 

Learn to Scull builds on those foundations to grow confidence in the boat, refine technique, and increase rowing fitness. These four 3-hour sessions across two weekends will prepare you to join the Novice rowing Adult team or begin rowing on your own in a single-person boat. 

Which class you take depends on your rowing goals. Would you like to row by yourself, in single-person boat? Take our Solo Sculling classes! Do you want to row with a team? Sign up for our Team Sculling classes. If you have never rowed before, enroll in the introductory Part 1 class. If you have prior on-the-water rowing experience, you may want to jump straight to our Part 2 class. 

After you have registered for the class, you will need to complete the required paperwork in your iCrew account, sign up for a USRowing membership, and take a Float test. All of these steps must be completed before the first day of class. 

OAR uses iCrew to organize all of our classes, memberships, and rowing schedules. Instructions for completing your required pre-class paperwork in iCrew can be found here.

USRowing provides insurance coverage for OAR. As such, an active USRowing membership is required to participate in OAR classes that include more than three days of instruction. Learn to Row Part 1 students DO NOT need to sign up or a USRowing membership. Learn to Row Part 2 students DO need to sign up for USRowing membership. Part 2 students can either sign up for a 60-day membership ($10) or a 1-year membership ($25).  Instructions for signing up for a USRowing membership and syncing it to your OAR iCrew account can be found on page 3 here.

All students taking an OAR class must complete a Float test prior to the first day of class. This test is arranged independently by each student. It can be completed at most local swimming pools, though both the Briggs YMCA and the Valley Athletic Club are familiar with our Float test requirements. You do not need a membership to take the swim test at the YMCA, but you must take your test during Recreational Swim hours. To pass the test, the swimmer will jump into deep water (over your head) wearing workout clothes (shorts/leggings, shirt, and socks), and either float, tread water, or swim without assistance for at least 10 minutes. At the end of the 10 minutes, the lifeguard will throw the swimmer a life jacket and they must put the life jacket on completely while still treading water. This is defined as placing the life jacket over one’s head and clipping the waistband around one’s body.

Students should print a copy of the Float Test waiver to bring to the pool. The lifeguard will sign the waiver once you have passed your test. Take a photo or scan the signed waiver and upload the document to your iCrew account. 

If you are unable to complete a Float test, please reach out to your assigned coach before class begins.

• Close-fitting athletic clothing

• Warm or water resistant layers (weather depending)

• Athletic shoes/sandals

• Water bottle (either soft plastic or wrap a metal bottle in an old sock)

• Sunscreen

• Sunglasses

• Hat

• Towel

• Phone in a waterproof bag

• For longer classes, you may want to bring a light snack

OAR classes are held out of our boathouse, located near the public boat launch at the north end of Swantown Marina. Please park in the upper lot just beyond the boathouse, in one of the spots designated for cars without trailers as a courtesy to those using the boat ramp.

OAR holds classes rain or shine! But if conditions are too dangerous due to high winds or thick fog, your class may be rescheduled. You will be notified by your Coach via email, and a make-up date for your class will be offered. 

Yes! Approximately 1-week prior to you class, you will receive a reminder email, which will include a course syllabus, information about your assigned coach, and any other last minute details. 

Yes! 

• US Olympians Teach Us To Row 

• USRowing Safety

• OAR Hype!