Learn to Row at SBC
Staines Boat Club gives a warm welcome to rowers of all ages and experience levels. Our boathouse is located on the south bank of the River Thames in Staines. Our facilities include a fleet of boats that covers all variants, as well as a licensed bar, training area, catering facilities, and changing rooms.
Our racing squads are always on the look out for new blood and so we have introduced Learn to Row courses for adults wishing to take up the sport. If you are aged under 18 and would like to learn to row then you should contact the Junior Coordinators whose contact details can be found under "About Us".
Sessions will run Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m. and will last for a period of four weeks. The course sessions will be restricted to eight participants in order to allow our British Rowing regional coach, Christy Job, to give you the individual attention you will need to see improvements in your rowing skills and techniques.
The course will include:
- Introduction to the rowing stroke on the indoor rowing machine or "ergo"
- Introduction to the equipment used - parts of the boat and oars
- How to get into and out of the boat
- Building rowing strokes in the boat on the water
- Rowing in time together as a whole crew
- Fine tuning blade work, power application, balance and teamwork
Remaining Learn to Row Courses for 2009
- Session D: June 6, 13, 20, 27
- Session E: August 1, 8, 15, 22
- Session F: October 3, 10, 17, 24
You must be pre-registered in order to participate in the course. Registration closes one week prior to the beginning of each course.
Spaces on each course given are on a first come first served basis. With such high demand we recommend you respond as soon as possible to ensure you get a space. Once the first eight spaces are full, application entries will be put forward to the next course and you will be informed of the dates, which your course will commence.
We strongly recommend that you attend all of the dates provided. If you have an emergency or are ill and cannot make the course dates contact the coach as soon as possible to enable time for alternative boat configurations to be made.
The cost of the course is £90 and includes temporary membership of the Staines Boat Club (£68) and membership of British Rowing (£22) for insurance purposes.
At the end of the course you will be given the chance to become a full club member and join a racing squad.
For further details & registration please contact Ruthanne Snelson at 
Learn to Row FAQs
Do I need to be able to swim?
For safety reasons you will be asked to sign a disclaimer on your application form to state you are able to swim 100m in light clothing. Rowing is an inherently safe sport and you will be working with a qualified coach but we must insist on this basic level of swimming ability.
What should I bring?
There will be both indoor and outdoor activities and so please come prepared. Essentials are warm, dry, sporty clothes that allow for sufficient movement but are not too baggy. If it is likely to be cold then wear several layers which can then be removed when warmed up. Also bring a change of clothes. There are changing facilities and showers at the club.