This course, open to anyone, Club Locarno member or not, with or without rowing experience, will introduce you to the joys , challenges, and rewards of Coastal Rowing. Four, two-hour sessions of instruction will get you to the point where you can safely launch, land, and row on your own. If you are not a Club Locarno Member, but at the end of the course would like to join, part of the course cost will be deducted from your membership fee.
Course Goals
To learn to row in Coastal waters, efficiently, safely, in a variety of conditions (though under 8 knots of wind), and confidently perform a self-rescue. You'll learn the basics of the stroke, body mechanics, form, steering, balancing, safety, and more.
You will also learn how to unrack, prep, rig, launch, land, clean, de-rig and stow the boat.
Take this course if ...
- you are not a member of Club Locarno and want to learn to row;
- you are a Club Locarno Member and want to learn to row;
- regardless of membership, you have rowed before but want to refresh bygone skills, resurrect long-forgotten calluses, or learn why Coastal Rowing is such fun ; or,
- you have been asked to do so as a result of a Rowing Checkout.
Assessment
Pass: We want to know that you can be safe on the water, so you will need to demonstrate a basic ability to control your boat on the water, be able to self-rescue, and perform the land-based tasks relating to cleaning, rigging, etc.
Your instructor will choose the session for the self-rescue.
- You may wish to being a wetsuit for this. If you don't have a wetsuit, wear layers that can get wet but will keep you relatively warm. Also bring a towel and a change of clothes, unless you don't mind being wet until you get home.
If you pass and decide to join Club Locarno, this course will serve as your Rowing Checkout for our Echo Classic boats, so you will be free to use them immediately.
What to Bring
We have a thorough discussion of rowing "fashion" on our website. But briefly:
Footwear: Bare feet are okay, but we recommend some form of water shoes. It's not always possible to avoid, let alone see, small sharp objects on the Jericho Sailing Centre grounds and beaches.
Clothing: Keep in mind that pants or shorts will likely get wet as we always do "wet" launches and landings .. no grounding the boats like a Viking Raid.
Water: Have a bottle that you can bring on the water with you. There is a filtered water dispenser for filling bottles in the Jericho Sailing Centre.
Food: Please bring some on-water snacks. This is a physical course, so it's important to stay fueled and hydrated.
Enthusiasm and a Willingness to Learn: Mandatory!
Recommended
Sunglasses: Highly recommend having a strap, and either floating sunglasses or a floating strap. Polarized is better. Avoid bringing expensive designer glasses.
Glasses Strap: If you wear prescription glasses, a floating strap is a very sensible investment.
Sunscreen: Mineral-based (zinc or titanium oxide) sunscreens are more effective and less damaging to sea life.
Dry Warm Clothes: As you will likely get wet, having some dry warm clothes (and possibly a towel) will make getting home after a session much more pleasant.
Phone and Case: If you wish to bring your phone on the water, keep it in a waterproof case.
Hat: A wide brim, floating hat with a chin strap is ideal.
Please note that while we try to finish on time, it's not guaranteed, so please don't book anything immediately following the course.
