One coach, Jennifer Shortall, says
the Adult Rowing League is one of the club’s most popular programs and fills quickly. “It is designed to introduce new people and reintroduce rowers to the sport as well as having everyone participate in friendly races throughout July .”
The ORC how-to beginners A narrow boat like a sculler’s
“shell” isn’t always tippier than a canoe. Those two long oars out either side of the boat act like outriggers for balance, a backup lacking for the canoeist who has only one paddle. Sculling boats usually only tip if the sculler lets go of the oars – be warned.
ORC LEARN-TO-ROW Learning to row starts with
learning safety on the water, and then picking up detailed knowledge about boats and oars. The first week’s instruction includes rowing machines in the clubhouse and a rowing simulator at dockside. The second week gets you out on the water so eight people learn how to balance a boat and move it through the water as a crew.
program has them “sweeping” in eights and fours with a coxswain (pronounced cox-n), who helps steer and sets the speed. The coach is in a motorboat alongside. The course involves five sessions on the water spread over two weeks: Monday-Wednesday-Friday- Monday-Wednesday. The ORC also has beginner “learn to row” classes that start every two weeks and run to the end of September. Since crews go out rain or shine (but not in lightning or high wind), you dress for the weather. This means snug, comfortable sports clothing, socks, running shoes, and a hat. Bring a water bottle and leave the jewelry at home – rings are uncomfortable on the oars. After completing this how-to course, you can become an ORC recreational rower, where you join a crew and get better at rowing while enjoying social events. Recreational rowers practise three days a week on the water with a coach.
ONEC LEARN-TO-SCULL Lessons run on Saturday and
Sunday mornings for eight novice scullers at a time. You learn balance, good stoke movement, even hand levels, and manoeuvring. There are drills to help novices get a firm grip on the basics. Attention to water safety is a big priority (see SIDEBAR). Novice scullers are coached from the dock. Boyd says he will add an extra adult learn-to-scull class in September if enough readers are interested. A Monday-to-Friday rowing skills camp for teenagers is scheduled for June and July.
REGATTA Once you’re up to speed, the
waterway to regatta racing is open. The big local event is the Head of the Rideau Regatta on Sept. 26. Sponsored by the Ottawa Rowing Club, this 5.5-kilometre race is like a time trial, where each rower or sculler is timed over the distance – the quickest wins. «oo
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51