The Argonaut Rowing Club has a variety of programs for adults that provide an opportunity to row regardless of your experience.

There are programs for you whether you are new to the sport of rowing through the Learn to Row pathway, want to jump back in a boat or are a seasoned veteran. Specific programs are offered for recreational rowers and experienced rowers under the guidance of our coaches and program coordinators. We also offer opportunities for rowers of all levels to compete in regattas throughout the season.

Interested in Para rowing? Learn more

Visiting from another rowing club? Check out Guest Rows.

I want to row. How does this work?

We start with Learn to Row.

Come Try It Day  A free one-day annual event focused on experiencing what it's like to row. Info for Try It Day 2025 will be announced soon.

Learn to Row 10 hours of hands-on lessons over 3 weeks. Offered throughout the rowing season. Learn More.

Then we help you develop your skills and be fit for life.

Club Rowing Program The goal for the Club Program is to have more structure, oversight and direction.  Given the variance in experience, skill and goals of the members, the Club Rowing Program offers different levels to be able to match members with similar skills and experience and give them the direction and coaching that is relevant to their experience.   The goal of this program is that the adult members will feel that there is coordination and organization that creates a that creates a fun and engaging environment that all participants can progress in.  Gain confidence and independence, progress towards your goals: fitness, proficiency, racing. Learn More

You want to excel.

Senior / Under 23 Program Our most elite competitive program limited to 25 athletes 6-9 times per week, with dedicated coaching. Learn more

Masters (21+) Program Competitive crew, high level training, 4+ days a week. Learn more.

Get more information on being a coxswain.

Non-Rowing Memberships are also available. Check out dry land training, or becoming a Social Member. 

Member Programs

Any athlete can move between programs based on program capacity and athlete ability. Generally crews start to form in the spring; however, you can join any adult rowing program at any time in the season. 

If you are unsure of which program to join or just want more information, please contact our Membership Director, Sean, at membership@argonautrowingclub.com.

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Club Rowing - Fit for Life

Requirements: Learn to Row graduate or experienced rower. 18+

Frequency: Club rowing sessions are offered Monday - Friday 7am-10am, 4:30-8:30pm, Saturday 9am - noon and Sunday 7am-10am. Row as often as you'd like during these times.

The Club Rowing program is a recreational program for those with previous rowing experience. This program is the next step for new members who have completed Learn-to-Row, as well as any member who is looking to row with a less rigorous training schedule. Club rowers typically row three-to-four times per week both in sculling and sweep boats.

Given the variance in experience, skill and goals of the members, the Club Rowing Program offers different levels to be able to match members with similar skills and experience and give them the direction and coaching that is relevant to their experience.   The goal of this program is that members will feel that there is coordination and organization that creates a fun and engaging environment that all participants can progress in.  All members who are part of the Club program will complete a survey so that the Program Manager can identify the level that will best suit their experience, skill level and goals.

The program is structured into three levels:

Green Level (1) will be predominantly graduates of LTR and must be on-boarded with all relevant information.   This level replaces the LTT program that has been offered as a separate program in past years.  This level will cover what graduating LTRs need next:  how to move boats to/from water, all details regarding launching and landing, traffic flow, ARC culture, how to row, how to bow, the list is long and comprehensive, requiring one full on water season before changing colours or at coach’s discretion.  This level will operate in the evening session at 6:30pm only.   Anyone can join these sessions but the majority will be the newer members.  LTR graduates from late last year (fall 2025) will be included.  

Orange Level (2) will be identified by length of rowing experience and goals and can row in morning or evening sessions while self organizing through the spreadsheet managed by Club Rowing Coordinator.  This is where the majority of club program members will slot in.

Purple Level (3) athletes will have a longer amount of rowing experience and goals of racing in the fall or trying to move to Masters or Senior program.   This level will be offered a structured fitness program that they can tailor – it may take the form of one or two standard plans, one for racing in the fall, and one for meeting metrics testing to move to Masters/Senior programs should that be a goal identified by the member.  

Community, fitness, and fun are the primary objectives of Club Rowing, with racing secondary. Rowers are encouraged to form their own crews and, for those who are interested, are provided with some racing opportunities over the course of the summer and fall! 

An information session is held annually at the start of the season, usually in mid-March, which provides a great opportunity for Club Rowing members to form new crews or join existing crews with available space. However, you can join the Club Program at any time throughout the season.

2026 Club Rowing Coordinator: Mishaal Ali

2026 Club Rowing Lead Coach: Tammy Curtis

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Masters Development Program (21+)

Requirements: Minimum 2 years rowing experience or experienced competitive rower returning to the sport.

Frequency: Tuesday & Thursday 5:30 - 7:00am, Sunday 7:00 - 9:00am, additional athlete-led training sessions throughout the week.

The program is designed for rowers, aged 21+, who would like to continue to develop their technical and racing skills while balancing other commitments. There will be separate training groups for master’s women and men.

This is a coached program and selection standards must be achieved in order to be a participant in the program.   The coach’s selections will be based on technique, strength, fitness, and commitment.  The objective is to form crews that are compatible in technical competency, physical ability and age. 

Coached practices take place 3 times per week and self-led practice sessions are encouraged outside of set practice periods.  Crews from this program will compete in sprint races in the spring/summer and head races in the fall as organized by the coach.

Masters Women's Development Lead Coach: Bahram Farahbakhsh

Masters Men's Development Lead Coach: Matt McNeil

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Masters Performance Program (21+)

Requirements: Minimum 8 years rowing experience

Frequency: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 5:30 - 7:00am, Saturday 6:00 - 8:00am, additional athlete-led training sessions throughout the week.

The program is designed for rowers, aged 21+, who would like to focus on competitive training and racing while balancing other commitments. There will be separate training groups for master’s women and men. 

This is a coached program and selection standards must be achieved in order to be a participant in the program.  The coach’s selections will be based on technique, strength, fitness, and commitment. The objective is to form crews that are compatible in technical competency, physical ability and age. 

Coached practices take place 4 times per week and self-led practice sessions are encouraged outside of set practice periods.  Crews from this program will compete in sprint races in the spring/summer and head races in the fall as organized by the coach.

Masters Women's Performance Lead Coach: TBD

Masters Men's Performance Lead Coach: TBD

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Seniors / Under 23 (18+)

Requirements: All competitive rowers Ages 18+

Frequency: Training minimum 6 mornings per week, Monday to Friday 5:30 - 7:00am, Saturday and Sunday mornings.

The Senior program is for athletes who are over 18 and racing 2000m. The program includes a wide range of athletes; from those who are currently rowing in a university program and wish to continue training over the summer, to those who wish to continue pursuing a competitive rowing program at the club. The program involves an intensive training schedule with morning and afternoon practices.  Athletes will be placed in Varsity or JV groups depending on their level of experience and testing results.

The Argonaut Rowing Club Senior/U23 program competes at all local summer regattas including Dominion Day, CORA regattas, RowOntario Championships and the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.

The lead coaches for this program are Dave Wigg and Nikki Morrison.

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Coxswain - The Coach in the Boat

Requirements: no experience necessary

Frequency: flexible

Fees: Contact membership@argonautrowingclub.com

Like being on the water?

Be a leader and navigate Lake Ontario for your crew!

Every program needs a coxswain or two!

As a coxswain (a.k.a. coxie) you are in control of the boat both on and off the water. You are responsible for your own safety, the safety of your crew and of other water users and the equipment, much of which is extremely expensive to repair or replace. Therefore you need to be aware of what is going on around you at all times.

Within the boundaries of safety and working as a team with the rest of the club, your job is to make sure that your crew gets the most out of every outing, and wins races.

New to coxing?

We’ll give you the tools you need to feel confident guiding your crew.

For more information contact membership@argonautrowingclub.com

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