Beginners Course
Welcome to the Beginners Rowing Course!
The next Beginners Course will be held between late September and mid December 2008 (to be confirmed).
Introduction.
Wallingford Rowing Club holds an annual beginners course in the autumn to introduce new people to the sport and teach them the basics of rowing.
Many of the courses participants go on to row in the Novice Squad the following year, competing at local regattas and possibly moving up to the senior squads the next season
Timing
The next course will begin on xxx September 2008 and run through to the xxx December 2008. The course sessions will take place between 12pm and 4pm and will be roughly 2 hours in duration.
Depending on numbers, subsequent weeks may be divided into separate sessions, for men and women. The course runs for 12 sessions and participants will be expected to keep the coaches informed as to when they can attend, so that the sessions can be planned correctly.
Cost
The 2007 course cost £75 (£40 for 16-18 year olds). (2008 cost to be confirmed)
Applicants are automatically made temporary club members for the duration of the Beginners Course. Once the course has finished those who want to take it further will be able to join full time and become a member of the novice squad and receive more coaching ready for the summer regatta season. The course fees are subtracted from the full membership fees.
There will be a formal application form available here, or in the club.
Coxes
You will be coached in the basic techniques in coxed eights, and you will learn that coxes are like gold dust: No coxes = no rowing. We will do our best to provide experienced coxes to help with the course. Weather permitting; there may be an opportunity for you to have a go at coxing, just so you know what it is like! However, if you know anyone who would like to learn how to cox, please bring them along.
Availability
Don’t worry; if you are not able to attend all the sessions, there will be plenty of time to catch up. However, if you can’t make a training session, could you let your coaches know by Friday evening so that we have an idea of numbers and can decide how many coxes are required.
Weather
As rowing is an outdoor sport, we are at the mercy of the weather conditions. It is possible that the course may have to last longer than 12 weeks. If the weather is bad or the level of the river rises significantly, in the interests of safety, we will not go out. If we have a lot of rain during the week or the weather forecast for the weekend is poor, then ring to check whether the session will be going ahead. If we have enough warning of adverse conditions then we may organise sessions at the rowing tank at Oxford.
Training
The course is meant as an introduction to rowing and so we will not expect you to do vast amounts of fitness training. However if you do have access to a rowing machine or live near the club, then it will be beneficial to spend at least one session a week practising your technique. We can help you if you need advice on the sort of training that will help you to improve your general fitness.
Contacts
If you wish to join the 2008 beginner’s course please contact the Club Captain or the Novices' Coach.
