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ROWING LEVELS

Once you have completed the initial taster day, you will be able to take part in lessons that are categorised into different levels.

LEVEL 1 = WATER BABIES

This is where the stabilisers come off  i.e. you will no longer be trailing blades along the surface of the water. 

 

In this outing, you start off by rowing further up the river and just getting that muscle memory back.  Once we get past the Green Dragon Bridge (Chesterton), we will do a stationary exercise. This is where you will be taught how to 'tap down', 'feather' (the correct terms for 'flat blade') and finish at 'arms away' with the main objective being, to 'sit the boat'.  Don't worry, all will become very clear, shortly into the outing!  

How many Level 1 lessons do I need?

Most people only need 1-2 water sessions before moving to level 2.

LEVEL 2 = SEPARATION IS KEY

In this level, we start to focus on separation.  Here, you will learn the full rowing technique and move away from the simplified version taught in the rowing taster day.  In this level, you will understand the following;

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  • Arms only rowing

  • Arms and bodies

  • ¼  slide

  • ½ slide

  • ¾ slide

  • Full slide rowing

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You will be taught how to do a 'back stop build' as well as a 'front stop build'. 

City Ergs.jpg

How many Level 2 lessons do I need?

Minimum 2 land based sessions (group ergs OR indoor tank) and 2-4 water sessions

LEVEL 3 = RATING AND POWER CURVE

Learning the technique in level 2 is the most important part of your learn to row program.  Now, you simply need to understand the different ratings and be able to increase the speed of the boat by building on the drive.  If your cox needs you to change the rating from 18spm (strokes per minute) to 24spm, you should know exactly how to achieve that - together.

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In this level, you will get to understand the power curve and how you can make your rowing stroke more fluid

How many Level 3 lessons do I need?

Minimum 2 group erg sessions focused on different ratings and 2-4 water sessions

LEVEL 4 = CONFIDENCE COMES FROM COMPETENCE

Confidence comes with success from doing something over, and over, again.  The more mileage you put on the water, the better you will become.  Rowing isn't about winning races - it's about having a perfectly set outing where you all come off the water smiling. Of course, that's just a matter of opinion but that's the ulitmate CRE objective. Once you have completed level 3, you are now considered to be a competent rower and good enough to join a town club. In theory, a club should be able to place you in any boat where you don't stand out like a sore thumb! 

 

As a general rule of thumb, if a CRE cox calls your seat number to draw up, tap down or get into rythm, then you should get some more mileage on the water before applying to join a club as a competent rower. 

PAYMENTS

  • Water outings/lessons = £25 (non members = £30)

  • Coached Erg sessions = £12.50 (non members = £15)

  • Indoor Tank coached session = £15 (non members = £20)

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This can be paid directly to Cambridge Rowing Ltd.

  • Name: Cambridge Rowing Ltd

  • Sort Code: 60-83-71

  • Account No: 9296 0603

  • Ref: YOUR NAME

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