College Learn to Row
Next Course: Starts Saturday 30th August 2025
Link to expression of interest form
https://forms.gle/XmA2iTYXQanLJaqd7
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:
Nelson Rowing Club runs one or two college learnt to row courses each season, dependant on the coach availability. This upcoming summer the following courses will be held:
- 2025 College LTR starts on Saturday 30 August 2025 at 9:00am at the Nelson Rowing Clubrooms. Session will then be held each weekend for 5 weeks both Saturday and Sunday. The course will finish with a 2 night camp at Lake Rotoroa (Nelson Lakes) as a way to have fun with new crew and learn a few more skills in a new environment. There are no expectations for this course and the camp it is all about learning and having some fun to get the summer season started.
At the end of the course, rowers who wish to continue rowing will be asked to make the commitment to row competitively 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 it 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),
- If a rower wants to continue rowing the annual subscriptions for a College Rower is $750.00 (but your LTR fees are deducted from your College Rower subs - you are in effect, upgrading your membership and will pay the difference between LTR and College Rowing). For more information on the Club's subscription costs and what is included, go over to our "How much does rowing cost?" page.
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).
If you'd like to give rowing a go, or have some questions, please get in touch!
