Spitfire Learn to Row
It’s about pulling together…
When
| Traditional learner 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesson # | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Date | 14 Sep | 15 Sep | 21 Sep | 22 Sep | 28 Sep | 29 Sep |
| Day | Sat | Sun | Sat | Sun | Sat | Sun |
| Times | 07:00 – 12:00 noon 6 learner slots |
07:00 – 09:00 – 3 learner slots | ||||
| 09:00 – 11:00 – 3 learner slots | ||||||
Course price £100.
Format
- 6 sessions
- Session 1 please allow up to 6 hours :
- safety briefing & introduction to sliding seat rowing
- land training (row machine & pontoon simulator)
- on water training (stability & first introduction to sliding seat rowing in a boat)
- Session 2 onwards (on water training in rowing boats with two oars) please allow 2 hours for each session
- Session 6 typically a shorter session ~1 hour, but 1-2-1 in a double rather than in a quad
- Session 1 please allow up to 6 hours :
- Sessions are held on Saturday & Sunday mornings.
- Only 6 places available per course
- Only 3 seats available per boat / session (from lesson #2 onwards)
Additional Info – Frequently Asked Questions
- How much time on the water per session? we will aim for at least 45 minutes in the boat on the water.
- What if I do not learn to row in 6 sessions? The objective of the Learn to Row (L2R) course is to ensure you feel comfortable, confident, and safe in a Quad rowing boat (using 2 oars per rower). If you don’t, we will continue to teach you at no extra charge until you are competent or until 6 months from the start of the course – whichever happens first. This is often on a 1-2-1 basis in a double.
- Can my child (under 18 years of age) learn to row? Children of secondary school / sixth form age can generally learn to row.
- Is there a maximum age to learn to row? No, but rowing for the first time can be extremely exhausting. For that reason, we ask each beginner to complete a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) when enrolling on the course. Depending on your responses, we may ask you to consult your doctor before participating on the course. Rowing is a major cardiovascular workout so it’s very important that we safeguard both you and the other rowers in the boat.
- Do I need to be able to swim? Rowing is a water sport, so we strongly recommend learning to swim and making certain you are comfortable on and around water before learning to row. Rowers should be able to swim at least 50 metres in light clothing, swim under water for at least 5 metres and tread water for at least 2 minutes. If you can’t do this, you will still be able to row, but will be asked to wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) when in a boat or on the pontoon. It’s up to the individual learner to remember to put on a PFD for each session.
- Is a session every weekend guaranteed? We will work hard to try to make these happen, however sessions may not be run on days where it’s unsafe (e.g., due to very high winds), when clashing with a race or due to limited volunteer coach availability.
- Can I do a more intensive course? Rowing for the first time can be both very rewarding and extremely exhausting. It takes a lot of focus and muscles that you may have not used in a while, plus the hands of new rowers need to get accustomed to the new type of work you are giving them. It’s also outside and exposed to the elements. As a result, sessions on the water are generally limited to a maximum of 2 hours.
- What do I need to bring?
- Ideally, you should arrive in the clothes you intend to row in. Wear sports clothes such as tracksuit bottoms/leggings and tops. Although rowers tend to wear lycra, you don’t have to!
- Always bring a spare set of clothes with you…just in case!
- Depending on the time of year a pair of sliders/crocs (spring/autumn), wet suit shoes or wellies (winter) can be very useful.
- Depending on the temperature in summer months shorts a t-shirt can work fine; always remember to use sunscreen and bring a water bottle (reusable plastic ones are preferred as metal bottles are likely to damage the inside of the boat).
- Slide bite or track bites on the calves (comes from the repeated contact of bare skin against the seat slides/runners) – if wearing shorts, it may be useful to protect against slide bite. One way is to use long socks that go to below the knee (e.g. compression socks for runners), purchase bite guards / calf protectors or fashion your own (by cutting the toes section off an old pair of socks)
- In winter months – Long sleeved warm layers are helpful as you may want to remove layers as you row
- It is worth investing in rowing pogies if attending the January course in order to keep your hands warm
- What happens when I complete the learn to row course? You will be given a completion certificate and invited to become a member of Spitfire.
- Why isn’t there a course during July & August? With both learners and coaches going on summer holidays at different times, plus events, and races, they just don’t work out. Also, learners’ hands tend to get sweaty and develop painful hand blisters much faster when it’s hot. We find it’s best to learn to row when it’s a bit cooler.
If you have any questions, require further information or want to discuss anything do not hesitate to contact us.
