Los Gatos Rowing Club (LGRC) supports rowing in the adult community both for
returning rowers and for those who want to learn to row. Programs for adults
(over age 18) include competitive training for masters men and women (over age
26), competitive training for open aged
men and women (usually 18 through 26) during the summer, fitness and skills
training for all adults , and coaching for both sweeps and sculls.
The Masters season runs June through November. Fees
for programs are subject to change without notice.
Programs for Club Members
The LGRC provides a range of sweep rowing and sculling programs to meet the
needs of participants at all skill levels. The programs focus on building
skills and fitness to compete in local, regional and national rowing
competitions.
- Adult Rowing Program:
This non-coached program allows members to row recreationally and/or competitively. Crews must reserve their equipment in advance for times that do not conflict with coached programs. Rowers must have taken the new-rower class or have previous rowing experience. Fee: Free to members - Adult Skills Development
Program:
This coached program focuses on proper rowing technique and fitness training. Both water training and ergometer work are used. This program runs 8 to 10 weeks, depending on the season. Club members who have been rowing consistently for at least six months are qualified to participate in this program. Fee: TBD - Adult Advanced
and Intermediate Racing Programs:
These programs focus on aggressive fitness and skill development aimed at producing competitive racing performance. The coach selects rowers for the program, and boats for specific races, based on technique, strength, fitness and commitment. Fee: TBD - Open Age
Competitive Program:
Experienced collegiate, junior, and adult athletes participate in a highly competitive coached program that begins in June and lasts through the end of August,. The coach selects rowers based on technique, strength, fitness and commitment. Fee: TBD - Private &
Group Sculling Lessons:
Instruction is available for current sweep rowers who want to progress into sculling, and for scullers wanting to improve their skills. Four to six hours of lessons are provided over three weeks. Fee: TBD - Coxing Clinic: The LGRC offers beginning and advanced clinics to members who want
to advence their coxing skills. Fees and times: TBD
- Other
Activities:
Members often organize themselves for workouts away from the club. These sessions include weightlifting and other aerobic exercises. Members all contribute 16 hours per year to volunteer work to keep the club running. They also organize the Easter Row, the Haloween Row, the Holiday Party, and special events that allow disadvantaged children to get a taste of rowing.
Programs for Non-Members
The following programs are available or those that are either new to rowing or
to the Bay Area:
- Adult New Rower
Sweep Rowing Instruction:
LGRC provides new rower lessons several times per year. Eight hours over four weeks in eight-oared rowing shells gives new rowers a taste of the sport. On completion, participants receive a three-month provisional membership and are asked to decide if they want to join the club. Fee: TBD - Sculling
Checkout:
Experienced scullers may request a check ride with one of the LGRC sculling coaches to ensure they have the skills necessary to handle themselves and the equipment safely. Prior sculling experience at a recognized rowing organization is mandatory. No fee is charged for the first occasion. - Adult Sculling
Instruction For Novices:
New scullers are encouraged to take sweep lessons before taking sculling lessons. However individuals may skip sweep lessons at the discretion of the program director. Acceptance is based on the fitness, agility, and prior athletic experience. Over three weeks, the sculler receives four to six hours of lessons. Upon completion, participants receive a one-month provisional membership and are asked to decide if they want to join the club. Fee: TBD.
Corporate/Group Rowing Programs
You may have seen magazine ads or posters on company walls that show a racing
shell with nine people rowing in unison. Rowing is the Ultimate Team Sport!
Rowing together at 15-20 mph on a pencil is a sport that requires people to do
exactly the same thing at exactly the same time. This does not happen
overnight.
The skills that you learn can be applied to both
work and personal life. Please be aware that we are not a professional team
building organization, but provide the vehicle for your people to become a team
through a sport that accepts nothing less than 100% participation.
What is the Corporate/Group Rowing Program?
It is an opportunity for you and a group of your associates to experience
rowing with professional rowers of the Los Gatos Rowing Club. A group of 6
novice rowers are provided both on-land and on-water training by four coaches.
After the land training, the newly trained rowers row in an “eight” with two
experienced LGRC oarsman and a coxswain that steers the boat and provides
continual instruction.
What are the activities and benefits?
The Los Gatos Club provides a complete, balanced team building experience that
includes:
• Instruction by coaches trained by nationally
recognized rowers and coaches
• Land instruction using state-of-the-art ergometers (rowing machines) for
stroke dynamics training
• Water instruction in competition-ready eight-oared rowing shells (boats)
The program can be completed in a three hour
period.
How much does it cost?
Fees are set on the basis of groups of six people. The cost for a six-person
group is $1,200. This includes all training and use of the boats. In addition,
because the Club is a
Who can participate in this?
Any group of six rowers can form a boat. This could be a group of business
associates within an individual department of a company or across departments,
or a group of friends or professional associates (among others). This program
could even be a great birthday present for those less-young adults planning to
avoid the midlife crisis.
Participants can be men or women of any age and
fitness level who can certify their abilitiy to swim. (Although swimming is not
part of the program, there is always a very remote chance that a person could
fall in the water.)
Who do I contact?
If you have interest, you should contact Allen Miner at (408) 356-9314 or by
email at alnan356@verizon.net.
Competitive Seasons
In the spring, LGRC attends the 2000 meter San Diego Crew Classic and Opening
Day in Seattle These are both 2000 meter races, and are by invitation only. The
club sends only its top rowers.
The summer season runs late June through August and
provides all crews the opportunity to participate in sprint races (generally
1000 meters). LGRC attends local races including the California Henley, Lake
Merritt Sprints, USRowing Southwest Regional Masters Championships, as well as
local scrimmages with other clubs. The club also sends top crews to the
USRowing Northwest Regional Masters Championships, USRowing National Masters
Championships, Royal Canadian Henley, and FISA World Masters Championships.
The fall head racing season gives crews
opportunities to compete in 5000 meter races. The club attends local regattas
including the Head of the
The masters season ends with the Stanford Fall
Regatta in late November. The masters then give equipment priority to the
juniors, who complete January through May.