College Learn to Row
Rowing Give it a Go and Learn To Row Starting Saturday 29 August 2026
Keen to join the Nelson Rowing Club College Learn to Row over 5 weeks... Register using the link below
COLLEGE LEARN TO ROW 2026 REGISTRATION
Introduction session Saturday 29 August 2026 - 10:00 am at Nelson Rowing Club, Akersten Street, Port Nelson.
Following this sessions will be held on Saturdays and Sundays over 5 weeks.
This will lead into a Learn to Row Camp to be held at Lake Rotoroa, Nelson Lakes on Friday 2 Midday to Sunday 4 October afternoon 2026.
Information:
Nelson Rowing Club offers 5 week Learn-to-Row (LTR) programmes for college-aged rowers (students in Year 9 to Year 13). Over 5 weeks, a rower will train twice a week to learn the basics of rowing which will include sessions on the water and land based technique sessions on the ergs (indoor rowing machines). A rower will also learn to understand rowing terminology, how to look after the boats and equipment and understand how to stay safe on the water.
Rowing is a highly technical sport, and athletes spend years trying to perfect their technique and achieve the "perfect" stroke. Even Olympic gold medalists still have technical improvements to make! So at the end of 5 weeks, a rower won't be proficient - but it's usually enough to get hooked on the sport!
The College rowing season begins in September when training starts and the season finishes at the conclusion of the NZ Secondary Schools Championships (better known as the Maadi Regatta) which is held at the end of March/early April each year. Nelson Rowing Club runs one or two College Learn to Row courses each year:
At the end of the course, rowers who wish to continue rowing will be asked to make the commitment to row competitively or socially for the season as a Novice Rower. Check out our College Rowing page for more information on what this involves.
Where is the Club?
The Nelson Rowing Club is located on Cross Quay, off Akersten Street down at the marina. We row in the Haven on the inside of the Boulder Bank or sometimes when the tide is right, row up the Maitai River. These are beautiful stretches of water to row on.
How much does Rowing cost?
- Our 5 week Learn to Row courses cost $120.00 (this includes 2 training sessions each week, all boats and equipment provided by the club),
- Attendance to the Learn To Row Camp will cost approx. $110 (depending on attendance numbers)
- Further information on membership after LTR is located here "How much does rowing cost?" This will be updated following the Nelson Rowing Club Annual General Meeting in Late August 2026.
- Information on the cost of a rowing season is set out here Rowing Calendar and Estimated Regatta / Camp Costs
If all of this sounds like you and you'd like to have some fun rowing with Nelson Rowing Club please get in touch!
What's it like to row and race?
Although this video was made a few years ago, it still gives you a great idea of what it's like to row and race with Nelson Rowing Club (and Nelson College and Nelson College for Girls).