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ARA classes start each Spring

Register Online (click on the date you want to proceed)

 

New Rowers are call "novice" for their first 12 months. Enjoy it! If you really get the rowing bug you will always share a bond with your novice-year compatriots. Download our novice newsletter From the Release for a glimpse into what to expect.

 

If the class schedule doesn't work for you we have The DAVE team challege that might work for you and a group of your friends or workmates. Go to the Dave information.

Are you saying "Wait a second. I need more information to decifer this foreign rowing language"? Well keep reading to figure out what kind of rower you want to be.

SWEEP rowing classes are offered to people ages 12 and older . After Spring classes new rowers sweep 8can join the novice team and start a regular practice schedule Mondays and Wednesday 6-8PM. Classes are not offered once novice training has started. In "sweep rowing" each rower has both hands on one 13 foot oar, either port or starboard, to propel the boat. You will need to go to the online sign up page to register space is limited. You will need to bring a USRowing Waiver to your first class and/or one will be provided for you to sign at that class. Non-swimmers can take the class but must wear a life vest at all times in the boat.

In SCULLING each rower has one hand on each of two 10 foot oars, a port AND a starboard oar. As a sculler you can row alone or in sculling boats that hold up to four rowers (called quads). Sculling classes sculling thumbnailare only offered in the summer on Sand Lake June, July, and August. You do not need any rowing experience to take the sculling classes. After learning to scull your coach will approve your use of team sculling equipment. You will be able to take out sculling equipment without a coach present as long as you are accompanied by an experienced sculler during your novice season. Coached sculling practices will run Monday and Friday mornings from 6-8AM and Saturday and Sunday morning from 10AM to noon. To take a sculling class you will need to go to online signup sign bring the USRowing Waiver to your first class or one will be provided. You also need to take our team swim test before or at the first session of your sculling class. Non-swimmers can take the class but must wear a life vest at all times in the boat. You are welcome to attend our pool sessions in May to get your swim test done but you can do it on your own before your first class as well.

MASTERS AND AA NOVICE : You are a masters novice if you are 27 years or older and you are a danthumbAA novice if you are 19-26 and you started rowing 12 months or less ago. To start sweep rowing you take the Learn to Row class which is a four session introdution to sweep rowing following by "novice rowing" which is a month long prep class for sweep racing. After novice rowing you will be eligible to train with the novice team Mondays and Wednesdays 6-8PM. Go to online signup for rowing classes to become a masters or AA novice.

JUNIOR NOVICE : You are a junior novice if you are age 12 to 18 and you started rowing 12 months juniorsor less ago. Juniors are welcome in the Learn to Row Classes or can start in the Junior early season starting in late May and racing against the the other regions of Alaska in late June. Following the early season you can join the experienced junior team training Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 to 5PM to race in state and out of state. Email the junior coach or go to the Junior team page for more details and to download the Junior Team Registration.

COXSWAINS (pronouced cox'n) are the "jockey" of the sweep boats. They steer, call the race plan, coxswainand coordinate with the coach. In general they are 5'4" and under and 130# and under because of the size of the seat in the boat but this is not a rule or requirement and we are happy to have all sizes or motivated and/or skilled coxswains. To see if you like coxing or email our coach and come check out a practice.

Everyone who rows with ARA must take a SWIM TEST. You will take a swim test in your first session of any class. If you are going to miss the first session or go directly to a more advanced class, download the swim test form and take the test yourself at any local pool.