vertical ARA picture and address Rowing Header

 

SWEEP rowing classes offered to people ages 12 and older . After Spring classes new rowers can 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 download the class brochure and fill out the registration form, sign the USRowing Waiver, and take our team swim test before or at the first session of your Learn to Row 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 are only offered in the summer on Sand Lake. 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 the summer of 09 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 download the class brochure and fill out and mail in the registration form, sign and send the USRowing Waiver with your registration, and 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.

MASTERS AND AA NOVICE : You are a masters novice if you are 27 years or older and you are a AA 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 introcution to sweep rowing following by "novice rowing" which is a six session prep class for sweep racing. After novice rowing you will be eligible to train with the novice team Mondays and Wednesdays 6-8PM. Download the class brochure here to sign up 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 or less ago. Juniors can take the Learn to Row Class or start in the Junior early season starting in late May and racing against the the other regions of Anchorage 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. 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, and 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. Take a class 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.