Learn to Row (LTR) Level

Learn to Row Level Goals: 

Ensure that all rowers have a base level of knowledge & skills in the following areas:

• Safety while rowing on the Lower Fox River

• How to handle and care for the equipment

• Basic rowing technique and boat handling skills

By the end of the Learn to Row Level, rowers should be able to:

• Take and oarboard out safety on their own without assistance from coaches or other rowers

• Teach another rower stoke basics on a rowing machine

LTR Level Rowers Can Attend: 

• Coached Rows Only - these are rowing sessions where rowers of all levels are able to get coaching and instruction at their current level. More experienced rowers are expected to assist in instructing newer rowers at these sessions.

• Coach-Approved Rows - Learn to Row (LTR) level rowers may attend other sessions with the approval of a club Coach.

• RowFit Classes and Masters Indoor Rowing Sessions - Learn to Row (LTR) level rowers are encouraged to attend any and all RowFit and Masters Indoor Rowing sessions they can attend. Rowing indoors is a shortcut to improving more quickly and makes improvement on the water happen more quickly as well.

SAFETY BASICS

• Read and sign off on the Safety Overview (https://team.sweepsandsculls.org/club-info/safety-overview)

• Know what you should have in your rowing bag or your car at all times when you come to row and have a coach check this one off when you have those items packed and in your car.

• Know general rowing safety basics:

  • What to do before you go out to row

  • How to use all club-owned rower PFDs

  • When NOT to row

  • What to do if capsize or swamp

• Know rowing safety basics for rowing on the Lower Fox River:

  • Traffic pattern on the river

  • Directions (N/S/E/W)

  • Landmarks up to the Lighthouse

  • Basic safety plan if you have an issue while on the river

  • How to wet dock and what to do with a boat if you have an issue and have to leave equipment

• What equipment to take when you row, where it is, how to check it to be sure it works properly, how to properly stow it in the boat, and how to use each piece of equipment

  • Personal Items (Shoes, Water bottle, Inhaler or other medication)

  • Your phone with Sweeps & Sculls emergency numbers programmed (in a waterproof bag and leashed to the boat and/or has a flotation device attached) (know when you should take your phone and when you do not need to take your phone)

  • At least one life jacket (PFD)

  • Walkie Talkie (know when to take a walkie talkie)

  • Whistle (know where to find a whistle)

  • Lights (know when to take lights)

• How to wear and operate each type of PFD that Sweeps & Sculls has for rower use

• Complete Emergency Contact Information and “Allergy and Special Needs” information in iCrew

• Have Sweeps & Sculls Emergency numbers programmed into your phone

ROWING BASICS

• Understand basic rowing terminology

  • Parts of a boat

  • Parts of an oar

  • Port/Starboard

• Understand and can follow basic rowing commands for in the boatyard, on the dock, and on the water

  • Getting a boat off a rack, down to the dock and in to the water

  • Getting in a boat

  • Basic commands in a boat

    • When/how to start rowing and stop rowing

    • Check it down, Check it down/Hold Water

• Know the equipment in the boatyard

  • Club vs. Private Equipment

  • Know the boats in the boatyard and which are available for reservation (not all boats are labeled)

• Properly get in and out of a boat

• Know how to strap a boat to blocks and/or racks and make sure that boats are properly set on blocks or racks

• Understand how to safely set a boat while others are rowing (sweep or scull)

• Has been introduced to a river turn in any boat (understands the concept of a river turn)

• Understand and name the basic parts of the rowing stroke

• Can proficiently execute the rowing stroke on an erg for at least 2’ continuously

• Know where to find stroke rate, split, distance and time on an erg monitor and know what those all mean

• Know what damper settings are on an erg

• Review the reservation system in iCrew so you know how it works

OARBOARD

• Set up an Oarboard “from scratch” (basic use and care of equipment)

  • Inflating the Oarboard

  • Put the rig on properly and strap it properly

  • Put the oars together

  • Put fins on (if necessary)

• Safely get an Oarboard out of the boathouse and into the water, then put it away properly

  • Set foot stretchers on an Oarboard

• Properly get on and off of the Oarboard

• Set up a boat to row

  • Oars & Oarlocks

  • Foot Stretchers

  • Safety equipment

• Be able to execute the rowing stroke on an Oarboard for at least 2’ continuously

• Steering, turning, backing and docking on an oarboard

  • Can execute basic steering (stopping and checking on one side or rowing harder on one side to turn the boat - understand which way the boat will turn)

  • Can back for at least 10 strokes

  • Can turn by rowing with one oar

  • Dock and unload (wet docking is an option)

• Know how to wet dock an Oarboard and leave it in an emergency situation