Classes & Events

***We are better at rowing than we are at building web pages so please excuse the oddities.***

All currently scheduled classes can be found on our RegattaCentral.com page.

The Learn to Scull class is the quickest way to get started. Classes are posted! You will start in a trainer single and progress to narrower boats when you are ready. This certification gives you access to all our many other programs.

Ready to learn to row in a crew? We are hosting a Community Challenge starting late July 2024. You’ll also learn all about this sport, the equipment, and our river over the month of August. Sign up here.

General descriptions are below. Go to our online registration page for the most up to date listing of class times.

Rowing classes are available for all levels, beginner to experienced. Both sweep rowing and sculling instruction are offered. All classes are taught in one, four, or eight-person shells (boats) depending on class type. (Please see Rowing Facts for more information on rowing types.) Special schedules and rates for groups will gladly be arranged. All our classes require 24 hour notice for cancellation with credit. Reservations are required. Our annual membership fee of $150 is required for all WRS programs other than Learn to Scull and Junior programs. Registration is available online and by emailing to pay in person.

> Indoor Rowing Classes (rowing machines)

Learn to Row Indoors class:
In this class rowers will get an introduction to rowing terminology, the rowing stroke, the challenge of synchronizing, and the rewards of rowing fitness.
Dates: Thanksgiving through March
Times: early mornings
See classes and register

Club Indoor Rowing Program:
Rowing machines and other indoor exercise equipment are used for vigorous workouts and rowing technique development. All levels of experience are welcome.
Dates: Thanksgiving through March; Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Times: 6:00 – 7:30 a.m.
See classes and register

> Sculling Classes (single shells)

Classes are small so times and dates are variable. Please go online to register and to find additional classes or email for more information about the schedule.

> Sweep Rowing (four and eight-oared shells)

National Learn to Row Day: Come to our free clinic to try rowing! The first Saturday in June we’ll show you our boathouse, help you try out a rowing machine, and help you get into an eight-oared shell and pull on an oar.

Community Challenge Learn to Row: Join in with your neighborhood, social, or wider fellow community members over the month of August to practice rowing an eight and then compete in our Bladensburg Races, late August.

• No experience is required; first-timers and experienced rowers are welcome.
• Bring your friends and come make new ones.
• Program Welcome and Introduction is 7:00-10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2023.
• Practices to choose among will be in August on both weekdays and weekends.
• Practice schedule in 2023: Tuesdays and Thursdays – 5:45 – 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays 6:30 – 9:00 a.m.; Come to any or all of them.
• We will remember the Battle of Bladensburg with our finale competition, the Bladensburg Races, where the local towns compete for bragging rights.
• Come join in!

• This was a Year of the Anacostia 2018 Event!

Sweep Rowing Program: Enjoy rowing with one oar.
Practices are mornings and afternoons on weekdays. Let’s do some racing!

Sunday Sweeps: 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. Come join in an early morning coached outing in a crew boat. Sculling or sweep certification is required. This group includes both intermediate and advanced rowers. Drop-in. Membership required.

> Junior Rowing

Introduce your favorite teenager to a fun new sport. We welcome new rowers to our program every season. Spring is sprint season and a great time for the crew boats. Summer is a great time to develop skills and learn to row small boats. Fall is a time for the challenge of longer races, traveling to different area rivers, and enjoying the fall colors of the river. Participants will learn equipment handling, teamwork, and safety in the outdoors, in addition to rowing technique and fitness. All rowing is out of Bladensburg Waterfront Park.

There are programs for middle and high school students. Athletes will learn both sculling and sweep rowing. This is a great opportunity to enjoy boating with friends from different schools.

Junior Spring Programs

Competitive Program
Dates: March to May
Days: weekdays
Rowers: High school-aged boys and girls, ages 13 to 19
First week: Try It Out. Fees are due only for athletes continuing beyond try-out week. Try it, you’ll like it!
Novice Team: Come join us this spring and be a part of this new competitive team. Everyone will be a beginner!
Rowing and racing: Athletes will learn boat handling, team building, and safety in addition to rowing and racing skills.
Love the outdoors? Looking for the ultimate fitness? Like working together to make boats go fast? Sign up now for this awesome sport.
Fees and registration

Weekend Program:
April – May
Saturdays and Sundays , mornings
Middle and high school students,
Ages 10 – 18.
The first weekend is try-outs. It is your chance to “try out” our awesome sport! Fees are due only for athletes continuing beyond try-out weekend.
High schoolers, middle schoolers, boys and girls, beginners and experienced are welcome. Participants will learn both sculling and sweep rowing. Rowers will be grouped by skill level.
Fees and registration

Junior Summer Sculling

Athletes will learn rowing skills in single sculls. Balance, bladework, and power application are best learned in small boats. Athletes will advance to narrow racing sculls as skills and interest allow.

1) Summer Camps
Open to youth, 12 years old and up. Sign up by the week.

2) Developmental Program
Learn the advanced skills required for rowing a single scull. These are a great addition to sweep rowing experience. Competition in local summer regattas is an option. Ages 13 to 19, boys and girls, are welcome.
Rowers can register for some or all weeks.

All participants will learn to row a single scull. Rowers will progress to racing singles and larger boats as skills and numbers allow. This is a great opportunity to develop or learn boating skills and enjoy making boats go fast on these warm summer days.

Registration and more information

Junior Fall Program

Fall Programs
Competitive Program:
Dates: September – November
Ages 13-18
The first week is the Try It period. Fees are due only for athletes continuing beyond Try It week.
Participants will learn both sculling and sweep rowing. Rowers will be grouped by skill level.
Team will compete in local and regional regattas. For boys and girls, beginners and returning.

Weekend Program:
Dates: September – November
Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Minimum age is 10 years old.
The first weekend is the Try It period. Fees are due only for athletes continuing beyond Try It weekend.
Middle schoolers, high schoolers, boys and girls, beginners and experienced are welcome. Participants will learn both sculling and sweep rowing. Rowers will be grouped by skill level.
Fees and registration

> Private Instruction

Private instruction is also available. If you would like a class tailored to your needs, please give us a call.  Individual instruction is $180 per session. Or bring a friend and pay $250 per outing,

For more information on any of these offerings please feel free to contact us at info@washingtonrowingschool.com.