healthy active living

A brief guide for the beginner rower

Rowing is a great way to get the body fit and healthy through active and refreshing exercise. When you first start out in rowing it might be an idea to join a rowing club, to get the support and friendship of other rowers. Here's the realbuzz guide to starting out in rowing and joining a rowing club.

Rowing is a thriving sport in which anybody of all ages and abilities can get involved.

Sir Steve Redgrave’s five successive Olympic gold medals have brought the sport into the spotlight, so there’s never been a better time to get involved. Rowing clubs are spread around the country and almost anywhere where there is a major river, you will find a club. However, rowing opportunities are not just confined to rivers; many rowing clubs also use lakes, reservoirs and coastal waters and will gladly welcome beginners – so there is no excuse not to get involved!

Clubs will provide the required equipment and the instruction needed for a beginner to get started in rowing. You don’t even need specialist clothing – just a simple tracksuit or something that allows you to move freely will be sufficient when starting out.

Also, the costs of getting started are not over the top – club membership fees vary between £35-180 per annum, but usually include the use of all facilities and boats.

Due to the popularity of the sport, there are a whole host of websites and contacts geared toward the beginner – a good place to start would be the Amateur Rowing Association.

Contact information
The Amateur Rowing Association
6 Lower Mall
Hammersmith
London
W6 9DJ
Tel: 020 8237 6700