Learn and join

Joining Avon County Rowing Club

If you already know how to row or scull :

Existing coxes, rowers, scullers and coaches of any age and ability, including those returning to the sport, are very welcome to join us. If you’re interested in joining us or would like to find out more please get in touch Contact Us ] 

If you would like to have a look at where we are and what we do, please arrange a time to come down and see us at the river. We also actively encourage prospective members to come and have a trial outing with us on our beautiful stretch of the river Avon at Saltford.

To join as a Beginner Adult (19 and over)

Rowing is suitable for people of any age or fitness and it really is never too late to learn.

If you have never rowed before, or maybe rowed ages ago and want to return to it or have enjoyed paddling around a boating lake in summer and fancy having a go, this is the place to start!

There are two ways to start rowing or sculling with the club.

1. Learn to row courses.  

If you have no rowing experience, you will need to attend a Taster Day. The next Taster Day will be run on Saturday 13th April 2024. The session lasts for 4 to 5 hours and includes an introduction to the Club and our equipment, coaching on land on an ergo (indoor rowing machine) to learn the basics about rowing and terminology, and a session in a boat on the river. All of this will help you understand what is involved in rowing, the physical demands of the sport and the importance of safety on the water. This session costs £20.

If you enjoy the Taster Day, you can apply to join the ten week Learn to Row Course which will start two weeks later on Saturday 27th April 2024. Training sessions are run on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, with occasional Sunday mornings. It is important that those who sign up are available to attend all sessions in at least the first three weeks to learn and understand the basic technique. The course costs £120 which includes a Learn to Row information book and a Club t-shirt on completion of the course.

The course starts with sculling where a rower has two blades/oars in stable single boats before progressing to fine singles and crew boats. Learners will then move on to sweep rowing where rowers have one longer blade/oar each in crew boats.

At the end of the course, if you have progressed and would like to continue rowing, you can join the club as an adult member in the Development Squad. You will then continue to have planned outings with your learn to row group gaining more experience and developing further until the end of the summer at which stage you will move into the club squad that best suits your aspirations and expertise – men’s, women’s or social rowing. We will plan to attend a race day too towards the end of this phase.

The course is a really great way to learn in a group of like-minded people and make new friends whilst improving your fitness in a beautiful location – what is not to enjoy!

Meet a couple of our new members who learnt to row with us in 2023

Rupert

My LTR experience has arguably been less challenging than others, as I undertook the course over the summer months. I had been intending to scratch the itch of learning to row for a number of years, and had even tried to engage, unsuccessfully, with other local clubs. But off the recommendation of a colleague, after several discussions about erg times, I contacted ACRC, received a speedy response and have enjoyed every aspect of the experience so far!

The LTR is a great foundation, with enough flexibility built in that if you miss a session or two you’re not left behind. The level of support and guidance from all members of the club is amazing, with members generously offering up their time to help you progress.

Heather (I’m on the left!)

I’ve always loved being out on the water and liked the idea of learning something completely new, so thought I would give rowing a try. I went to the taster day at Avon and knew straight away I wanted to join the learn to row course, despite the weather not being on our side that day!

The course was structured really well, we learned in a mix of both bigger and smaller boats and were able to try both sweep rowing and sculling. Our boats were mixed with new and experienced crew so there were lots of opportunities to learn from other club members. The course went at a good pace and there was lots of support throughout. Everyone at the club is friendly, welcoming and willing to help and answer any questions, allowing you to become more self sufficient on the water as the weeks pass.

I continue to row weekly with others from the learn to row and have even had the opportunity to race a few times with my first win in a women’s 8 at Monmouth! I find rowing really enjoyable and I’m delighted I joined the club. It is both challenging and relaxing as it involves an enormous amount of concentration and effort, but best of all you’re outside enjoying nature too.

There are lots of opportunities to row at Avon and something to suit everyone, if you are looking to race or socially row. I would encourage anyone thinking about learning to row at Avon to give it a try!

2. Individual lessons

Individual lessons can be arranged at other times of the year. This may suit you better if the learn to row course doesn’t fit in with your timetable or if you would prefer to have personal tuition. It is possible for individuals to learn in small groups, perhaps with a group of friends who can then share the cost of the coach. Initial sessions cost £5 per person plus the coach’s fee (£25 per hour).  For subsequent sessions, you would need to join the club which costs £24 per month for adult members in addition to paying the coach’s fee for each lesson.

 

Please contact the Adult Learn to Row Coordinator, Katherine Contact Us ] if you would like to be added to the waiting list for the next learn to row course, or would like more information about individual lessons.

 

Go Row Indoors

If you would like to try rowing indoors for fitness or before starting a Learn to Row course, you can join our Indoor Rowing classes either as a one off (£5 per class) or as an Indoor Rowing member (£18 per month). Please see the section of the website on [Go Row Indoor].

To join as a Junior (school years 7 – 13)

For the junior waiting list form, Click here ] . All potential juniors should complete this before attending a taster session, as it is an easy way for us to gather contact info etc.

We run junior taster sculling sessions (for those in year 7 or above) at Avon County Rowing Club in Saltford on Sunday mornings, between Easter and the Autumn.  Anyone who completes the junior waiting list form (above) will be invited to a taster session when we have availability.

Fees

Membership costs from April 2019 until April 2024

Full member – £288 per year £24 per month
Junior – £144 per year £12 per month
Student – £144 per year £12 per month
Coach – £72 per year £6 per month
Racking fee for privately-owned boats – £72 per seat per year £6 per month

(Reduced rates available for families where seniors and juniors are members)

Please pay by Direct Debit if possible. Information about payment is included in the Membership Form – see below.

Other costs

You’ll need to supply your own athletic clothing which should allow ease of movement and be warm enough for the time of year. We have a supply of club clothing and there are several companies who sell rowing kit online.

When you compete in a rowing race, you will need to pay an entry fee (usually between £8 and £12 per head) and a towing charge. This is currently £7 per person, per event (juniors £5) and is used to cover the fuel costs of the person towing and – if required – the hire of a towing vehicle. You will also need to take out membership of British Rowing]

Membership Forms

[ Full or Student membership form ]

Safety

Membership of Avon County is open to anyone, provided they can swim at least 100 metres in light clothing. As part of your induction to rowing and to the club, important safety education will be provided and we ask that you take careful heed of this.