Activity in a nutshell

In this 1.5-hour session you’ll learn the basics, and then experienced rowers will guide you out on the water in a racing boat to put your skills to use and enjoy a beautiful afternoon on the river. Please note: Participants must be at least 14 years old for equipment reasons.

What’s great about it?

Rowing is a great activity for people of many shapes and sizes. Here are just some of the benefits:

• Works many muscle groups (especially legs!)
• Challenge yourself with the technical aspects
• Some row socially, some love to compete, and some enjoy a mix of the two
• The river is beautiful — being out on it soothes the soul
• It’s a sport for life — some people row well into their 80s and 90s.

Who’s it best for?

Most of the Townsville & JCU Rowing Club’s general members are aged between 18 and 65 years (Masters is anyone 27 or over), and the club’s school programs cater for younger participants. This session is suited to anyone aged over 14 years who can swim 100m in rowing attire.

Anything else to know?

If you weigh more than 95kg please contact the club before the session.

You must be medically able to participate. Please seek advice from your doctor if necessary. Participants are required to disclose any medical conditions that may affect them on exercising or may affect their ability to safely operate the club’s equipment. Individuals with medical conditions likely to cause sudden unconsciousness will not be permitted to row. For example, but not limited to, grand mal epilepsy, brittle diabetes mellitus, some forms of heart arrhythmias, and some forms of anaphylaxis.

The club maintains public liability and injury insurance through its state peak body. It notes it may be more limited than required by individuals’ personal preferences. It encourages participants to consider their own insurance needs.

Rowing fun facts:

• Many people learn rowing as adults
• The seats in a rowing boat are mobile
• Some boats are rowed with two oars per person (single, double and quadruple scull boats) and some with one oar (pair, four and eight sweep boats)
• Not all boats have a coxswain steering them
• Rowers face backwards in boats and cannot see the finish line when racing — but they can easily keep an eye on any crews making a move on them!
• Standard sprint regatta races are 1000m, 1500m or 2000m, but there are also longer races such as 8.6km (Head of the Yarra), 10km (Head of the Brisbane), 15km (Head of the Tablelands), etc.
• At the 2015 state masters championships the winning men’s masters D (average age 55+ years) eight rowed 1000m in 3:00 minutes (average boat speed of 5.6m/sec)

Missed out on this class?

Make sure you add your name and contact details to the waiting list as there are always last-minute cancellations.