Sweep Learn To Row

Adult Sweep Learn to Row Classes begin Saturday May 11, 2024

The 2024 Program fee is $350.

There are two beautiful locations to choose from:
Rocketts Landing - 4708 Old Main Street, Richmond, VA 23231

• Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
• Saturdays at 8 AM 
• Sessions are approximately 2 hours each

Robious Landing - 3800 James River Road, Midlothian, VA 23113

• Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 PM
• Saturdays at 7:30 AM
• Sessions are approximately 2 hours each

Learn to Row graduates will have the opportunity to compete against the other LTR class at the Virginia Boat Club Sprints Regatta on June 15th at Robious Landing Park.  Save the date!

Sign up instructions:

• Visit https://icrew.club/smurl?t=reg&id=VBC
• Click on the "Register Here" Link for the 2024 Learn-to-Row Class at Robious or Rocketts
• VBC code is 2739
• Complete the New Member Registration Form
• Click Register
• Complete the Update My Profile Page
• Click Save at the bottom
• Select My Payments
• Pay via PaySimple. 
• Select My Documents to sign the swim certification electronically

Adult Learn to Scull Classes will resume once the water temperature reaches acceptable levels.  Reserve your place in line by signing up now.  LTS classes are 1:1 instruction with and experienced instructors at either boathouse.  You and your instructor will schedule times convenient for your schedules, typically early morning or evening.

Sign up instructions:

• Visit https://www.icrew.club/register?club=VBC
• Click on the "Register Here" Link for the 2023 Learn-to-Scull Class at Robious or Rocketts
• VBC code is 2739
• Complete the New Member Registration Form
• Click Register
• Complete the Update My Profile Page
• Click Save at the bottom
• Select My Payments
• Pay via PaySimple. 
• Select My Documents to sign the swim certification electronically

SWEEP ROWING

At VBC, we offer group Learn-to-Row classes for sweep rowing, where each rower uses one oar.  Sweep rowing is a great way to learn the basics and get comfortable with the sport. As your skill progresses, you can move to sculling where each rowers use two oars.

Sweep rowers work in pairs with a coxswain (2+) and pairs without (2-), fours with a coxswain (4+) and fours without (4-) and the eight (8+), which always carries a coxswain. The eight is the fastest boat on the water. A world-level men's eight is capable of moving almost 14 miles per hour.

SCULLING

Rowers with two oars – one in each hand – are scullers. There are three basic sculling boats: the single – 1x (one person), the double – 2x (two) and the quad – 4x (four).

Athletes are identified by their seat in the boat. The athlete in bow is seat No. 1. That's the person who crosses the finish line first (which makes it easy to remember – first across the line is No. 1 seat). The person in front of the bow is No. 2, then No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, No. 6, No. 7 and No. 8, a.k.a. the stroke. The stroke of the boat must be a strong rower with excellent technique, since the stroke sets the rhythm and number of strokes per minute the rest of the crew must follow. 

Classes are held at both boathouses and are 12 sessions. The spring sweep session includes racing in our home regatta against other novice boats.