Cambridge Rowing Experiences

What Can I Expect

A Cambridge rowing experience - book a taster or a learn to row course on the famous River Cam! We are offering half-day introductory experiences and courses over six sessions too, from the boat club right on the River Cam, opposite Midsummer Common. 

The City of Cambridge is synonymous with rowing. As a sport, it is excellent for overall fitness and great for team spirit too. If you've ever seen the Oxford vs Cambridge boat race on the telly and fancied having a go, this is your moment!

The half-day taster finds just the right balance of theory and practice. Your experience starts in the gym room of this well-equipped Cambridge rowing club. You will learn the actual rowing technique on the ergo machines (as in ‘ergometer,' as in measure of work). It's all about coordinating hands and feet to make the most efficient rowing stroke. And timing is everything!

After that, you're on the bank of the River Cam in front of the boathouse for dry-land rowing technique practice and to learn how to safely get in and out of a boat, whilst keeping it stable.

Now it's time for your outing on the water. There'll be a cox who'll be instructing and leading, with you forming part of the eight-person crew, each with your own set of blades. You'll have around an hour rowing along the River Cam, heading northwards towards Stourbridge Common.

For those opting for the full Rowing Course in Cambridge, you have another five sessions, which can be taken throughout the next few months. The aim of the game is to get you to a decent novice level that you could think about joining a club as a rower if you wanted to.

So go on, give it a go. Book your Cambridge rowing experience at this friendly and welcoming boat club in the heart of Cambridge right on the River Cam!

What's Included

Cambridge Rowing Taster Experience

• Enjoy a rowing experience at the City of Cambridge Rowing Club
• Introduction to the club and boats
• Half an hour session on the clubs rowing machines (ergs), working on timing and technique
• Practice the techniques in an 'eight boat' by the bank
• Learn how to sit the boat (keep it stable) and how to follow the cox's calls
• Collect your blades from the boathouse and head out to the river
• Enjoy a full hour of rowing on the River Cam
• Allow approx 3-3.5 hours for this experience

Learn to Row Course

Day One

• Take part in the Rowing Experience (details above)

Additional Sessions

• 3 x two hour water sessions on the river to master your rowing skills
• 1 x one hour indoor group erg session to improve on applying power
• 1 x one hour indoor rowing tank session to work on the technique

• Sessions end with a daily group de-brief
• These sessions can be booked any time within 6 months of the initial experience day

When Is It Available

Cambridge Rowing Taster Experience

• Selected weekday and weekend dates throughout the year
• Sessions generally start at 10:00 finishing around 13:15

Learn to Row Course

• Additional sessions can be booked on operating days within 6 months of the initial experience day

Suitable For

• Minimum age 13 for rowing experience (14 for learn to row course)
• Weight restrictions: minimum 38kg, maximum 120kg
• Height restrictions: minimum 5ft
• Participants must be able to swim at least 20 metres in clothing (precaution only - not expecting anyone to fall into the river!)

Spectators

• Not suitable for spectators due to the nature of this activity