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Learn to Row

photo by Matt Thornton 2007
If you watched Canada at the Beijing Olympics, you will know that our Men's Eight won the gold medal, the Men's Pair won the silver and both the Women's Lightweight Double Sculls and the Men's Lightweight Four won bronze.

You too could learn how to row and discover the wonderful feeling that comes from gliding over the water in clearly what is one of the best sports in the world.

The Argonaut Rowing club, the second oldest rowing club in Canada, offers Learn to Row (LTR) programs all summer long. Anyone can take them and once you have completed the course, anyone can join the Argonaut Rowing Club.

Our adult learn to row program suits those who simply wish to learn something new and fun, to those seeking introduction to the competitive world of racing. Rowing is a great way to get fit or stay in shape. It is low impact - easy on the joints - yet provides a full workout while tuning the mind/body connection. We row in the scenic, protected waters of the Western Toronto waterfront, within the breakwall. Our full-facility club offers fitness equipment, changerooms, and social opportunities on the waterfront deck. Learn a challenging sport, meet new friends, get in shape and enjoy summer on the water! See below for schedule.
Click here to register.

The Program
Your Learn-to-row instructor will teach you the fundamentals of rowing, terminology, boat-handling skills and safety. Rowing technique is learned first on the ergometer (rowing machine) indoors and then practiced on the water, weather and crew permitting., for the remainder of the classes. We teach sweep rowing (one oar per person) in crews of 4 or 8. There is always an experienced coach/coxwain with you. Our emphasis in this course is on basic technique, learning crew teamwork, and having fun!
All equipment is provided. The course is taught by our professional staff and club volunteers.
We offer the learn-to-row program a number of different ways:

Adult Learn-to-Row: evening or weekend sessions (see below)
Adaptive Learn-to-Row: for individuals with disabilities
Youth Summer Camp: Camp Argo for teens age 13-18
Corporate Learn-to-Row: let us design a team-building day for your office or group
Learn-to-Scull: one-on-one intensive training in a single scull (2 oars/person) 

Adult LEARN-to-ROW – the Basics
Lessons are held either on weekday evenings or on weekends. At the end of your session you will be invited to compete in a fun regatta with fellow LTRers, followed by a BBQ on the clubhouse deck (family and friends are welcome to cheer you on). If you've fallen in love with the sport, as we hope you have, you may then want to join the club and continue to refine your new skills in the Development program, which will prepare you to move into one of our other rowing programs - recreational, masters or competitive.

We offer different LTR session formats for you to choose from:
1. Weeknights (8 classes x 1.5hr): 8 sessions over a 4-week period. In our 'classic' LTR session, you attend two evening classes per week for a month. We also offer a 1 evening per week session over 8 weeks.
2. Weekends (4 classes x 3hr): 4 mornings over two or four weekends. A slightly more intensive program.
Courses begin in late April and are offered throughout the summer.
Please be sure that you can attend all or most of your classes, as we cannot launch without a full crew.

2009 LTR session schedule
(note: there is space in the session unless it is marked "sold out" here or in Karelo)
Session
Days
Time     
Start Date
# lessons
Regatta Date
A
Sat/Sun

8-11 am

Sat.Apr.25
4

Wed.May27 6pm

B
Mon/Wed

6-7:30 pm

Mon.Apr.27

8 ** not May18

Wed.May27 6pm

C sold out

Tue/Thu

6-7:30 pm

Tue.Apr.28
8

Wed.May27 6pm

D sold out

Thu morning

9:30-11 am

Thu.May.7
8

Thu.Jun.25 6pm

E sold out

Sat/Sun

8-11 am

Sat.May.9

4   May 9/10/23/24

Wed.May27 6pm

 
 
 
 
 
 
F sold out
Tue/Thu

6-7:30 pm

Tue.May.26

8

Thu.Jun.25 6pm

G sold out

Tue/Thu

7:30-9 pm

Tue.May.26
8

Thu.Jun.25 6pm

H
Saturdays

8-11 am

Sat.May.30
4

Thu.Jun.25 6pm

I  sold out
Sundays

8-11 am

Sun.May.31
4

Thu.Jun.25 6pm

J  sold out
Mon/Wed

6-7:30 pm

Mon.Jun.1
8

Thu.Jun.25 6pm

K sold out
Mon/Wed

7:30-9 pm

Mon.Jun.1
8

Thu.Jun.25 6pm

 
 
 
 
 
 
L sold out
Tuesdays

6-7:30 pm

Tue.Jun.23

Sun.Aug.16 9am

M sold out
Thursdays

6-7:30 pm

Thu.Jul.2
8

Sun.Aug.16 9am

N
Saturdays

8-11 am

Sat.Jul.4
4

Sun.Aug.16 9am

O
Sundays

8-11 am

Sun.Jul.5
4

Sun.Aug.16 9am

P
Mon/Wed

6-7:30 pm

Mon.Jul.6
8

Sun.Aug.16 9am

Q sold out
Mon/Wed

7:30-9 pm

Mon.Jul.6
8

Sun.Aug.16 9am

R
Tue/Thu

7:30-9 pm

Tue.Jul.7
8

Sun.Aug.16 9am

S
Saturdays

8-11 am

Sat.Aug.8
4

No regatta

T
Tue/Thu

6-7:30 pm

Tue.Sep.8

8

No regatta


** Session B classes skip Victoria Day May.18. Classes are Apr.27/29/May.4/6/11/13/20/25
** Session E classes skip Victoria Day weekend. Classes area May.9/10/23/24

*** Please arrive at the boathouse 15 minutes before the beginning of each class.

Requirements
You should be age 18 or older, and be comfortable on the water although it is not strictly necessary that you know how to swim. Personal floatation devices (PFD's) are provided. You should be reasonably fit, in order to lift boats and handle an increased heart-rate as we builld up our speed on the water.

What to wear?
Running shoes, shorts, t-shirt, and old socks. On warm sunny days, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and a bottle of water to stay hydrated. On cool windy days, a sweatshirt and long pants. If it looks like rain, a waterproof jacket and hat, and an extra set of dry clothes in case we get wet (it is a water sport ;~) Avoid loose-fitting clothing as it may impede movement and get caught in the equipment. The Club as locker/changeroom facilites.

Weather?
We always meet at the scheduled time. In case of inclement weather, the class may move indoors for technique and fitness training on the ergs. We will row in light rain, provided other conditions are favourable.

Club location?
The club is located on the waterfront in west Toronto, just south of Jamieson Avenue. If driving, we have a large parking lot, down Net Ave south off the Lakeshore. If coming by TTC, use the King West or Queen West streetcar, get off at Jamieson Ave and walk south, across the Lakeshore footbridge and into our walkway (red brick building). See directions.

Fees?
$250 +gst payable by credit card online at time of registration.
Cancellation Fee: $20 prior to 1 week before class begins. $50 in the 7 days before class begins. Sorry, no refunds after class begins.

To Register:
Registration is done using the Karelo online system. Create your personal login id in Karelo, then complete the online registration form, choosing the class which fits your schedule. Registration is complete when credit card information has been accepted. A confirmation email will be sent to you automatically.
Click here to begin the registration process.
There are limited seats per session. Register early to avoid disappointment!

What happens after completing Learn-to-Row?
We're hoping you'll be as hooked on this sport as we are and you'll want to become a member.
Click here for Membership information and online registration. Learn-to-Row graduates earn a $125 discount off annual membership fees their first year. The club runs a Development Program for Learn-to-Row graduates who become club members.

Put your body and mind in motion - learn to row!

For additional information contact: ltr@argonautrowingclub.com or call: 416.532.2803
 
One of our 2008 Learn to Row participants, Pia Hansen, created a short film on the experience, including the Learn to Row Regatta and BBQ that awaits all LTR classes. Several of the students you see in the film joined the club, attended the Development Program sessions and raced in the fall. Some of them are now fully fledged competitive masters rowers this year or rowing in the competitive program or recreationally!
 
To view the film, please visit the following link:

 


Questions? 

For more information on the Learn-to-Row program, email ltr@argonautrowingclub.com
     

 


Join the Argonaut Rowing Club  

 

Membership information

For more information on any rowing program, call us at (416) 532-2803 or email coach@argonautrowingclub.com 


Rowing Terminology

Glossary of Rowing Terms view

Rowing Commands view  


 

Directions to the Club:

Click here

info@argonautrowingclub.com    |    (416) 532-2803 Phone    |    (416) 532-2804 Fax