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COMMENCEMENT BAY ROWING CLUB

Community Rowing in Lakewood, Washington

Youth Learn-to-Row Classes


CBRC is a great place to learn to row!

Our camps are designed for youth in grades 7-12.
All sessions take place at the CBRC Boathouse.



Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

  • Session One: July 7 - July 17, 2025
  • Session Two: July 21 - July 31, 2025
  • Session Three: August 4 - August 14, 2025 (currently waitlist only)

The cost for each session is $250.00
.

Cancellation and refund policy.



Youth Rowing Scholarships

Anyone who wants to row should be able to do so, regardless of background or economic circumstance.

CBRC is committed to making rowing more accessible to area youth. Youth of color and those facing socio-economic barriers are encouraged to apply for scholarship support through the George Pocock Rowing Foundation (GPRF). The GPRF processes all scholarship applications via an on-line scholarship application form.

Apply for Financial Aid


Please see our Youth Rowing Scholarship page for more information.



What You'll Learn at Camp

Safe and fun rowing is the primary focus. 

Each sessions teaches the following and more:


  • The rowing motion, usually taught on a rowing machine (erg) in our boathouse.
  •  The commands to lift and carry a shell from the boathouse either to canvas slings for adjustment, or safely to the dock to set it in the water. And, of course, remove the shell from the water and carry it safely back to the racks in the Boathouse.
  •  The proper method to attach the sculls or sweep oars to the oarlocks.
  • The proper method for getting in and out of a shell.

  • Progress from rowing short distances on the water to building confidence and fitness over longer distances.


Our youth Learn-to-Row sessions teach the basics of both sculling and sweep rowing.

  • A scull is a thinner, lighter oar. Sculling requires to use of two oars or sculls by the rower and is done in single shells with one rower (Singles), double shells with two rowers (Doubles) or four rower shells called Quads. Doubles and Quads are referred to as team boats. 
  •  A sweep oar is a thicker, longer and heavier oar. Sweep rowing requires the use of one oar per rower with one rower on the port (right) side of the shell and another on the starboard (left) side of the shell. Sweep rowing is done in shells called Pairs (with two rowers), Fours (with four rowers), and Eights (with eight rowers). Fours and Eights also include a coxswain to give the rowing commands and steer the shell. Fours and eights are also referred to as team boats. 
  •  Singles teach balance and patience; team boats teach balance, patience and teamwork.

We encourage youth to learn both sweep rowing and sculling to get a good foundation should they want to join our Juniors program in the Fall. Youth who are returning rowers, have successfully completed several of our introductory classes, or have previous rowing experience from other rowing clubs, are welcome to join the Juniors team.

Summer Learn-to-Row participants can register for as many camp sessions as they like!

 



Swimming Ability

In the summer, we want to make sure anyone who wants to learn is able to. If an athlete has not been taught to swim but is interested in rowing with the team, the Juniors coach can help them and their parents find local swim lessons and resources before the fall rowing season starts. We watch the USRowing safety video with each LTR group, and an athlete with a PFD will be safe and the first to come out of the water. 

Participants able to swim any stroke for ten minutes and then immediately tread water for 10 minutes will be able to learn in the boat without a PFD (personal flotation device). Otherwise, the athlete will learn while wearing a PFD supplied by CBRC. This is to ensure a rower's safety should their shell capsize.

Please download and complete the CBRC Declaration of Swimming Ability and give it to the instructor on the first day of your session.





Select a session from the registration section to start your summer rowing adventure!


Do Something Different This Summer


Learn to row on American Lake - registration is now open!

Registration Listing

Youth Learn to Row 2025 - Session One


Youth Learn to Row - Session One

Registration closes on 07/07/2025 at 12:00 AM
Season Dates: 07/07/2025 to 07/17/2025
$250.00

Registration Listing

Youth Learn to Row 2025 - Session Two

Registration for Youth Learn to Row - Session Two

Youth Learn to Row - Session Two

Registration closes on 07/21/2025 at 12:00 AM
Season Dates: 07/21/2025 to 07/31/2025
$250.00

Registration Listing

Youth Learn to Row 2025 - Session Three

Registration for Youth Learn to Row - Session Three

Youth Learn to Row 2025 - Session Three

Registration closes on 08/04/2025 at 12:00 AM
Season Dates: 08/04/2025 to 08/14/2025
Show Details
$0.00

Contact Us

CBRC

PO Box 99512 
Lakewood, Washington 98496

Email: [email protected]

CBRC

PO Box 99512 
Lakewood, Washington 98496

Email: [email protected]
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