Learn and gain confidence!
A series of rowing clinics and camps allow class participants and club members to safely progress from rowing more stable single recreational (rec) shells to a variety of racing shells. LTR and Novice 1 and 2 classes are designed to prepare participants to pass the Rec Shell Captain's Test. The Captain's Test is required to become a CCCR member and to sign out boats independently. Certified coaches will administer the Captain's Tests.
We invite you to browse and choose from the offerings described below:
The 5-day LTR Clinic is a fun and comprehensive introduction to sculling designed for beginners. Participants learn boat safety, boat set-up, balance, and basic strokes, using CCCR recreational shells. A "Basic" level USRowing membership is REQUIRED. Our Club name is Cape Cod Community Rowing, Inc., and Club Code is RVYJL. The cost is $25.00 for the year and is necessary for insurance coverage. Please keep a record of your login name, password and USRowing number as you will need this information in the future. CCCR membership is not required. However, LTR participants who want to continue on with a CCCR annual or seasonal individual membership will receive a $50.00 discount toward their membership fee!
2024 LTR clinics are open for registration on Regatta Central.
June 3-7 (five days), 1 1/2 hours each morning, $175 per person
July 8-12 (five days), 1 1/2 hours each afternoon, $175 per person
August 5-9 (five days), 1 1/2 hours each morning, $175 per person
To register:
- A "basic" USRowing membership is required and available at USRowing. Our Club name is Cape Cod Community Rowing, Inc., and Club Code is RVYJL. The cost is $25.00 for the year and is necessary for insurance coverage. Please keep a record of your login name, password, and USRowing number as you will need this information in the future.
- Enroll in a Learn to Row class of your choice at Regatta Central. You will need to enter your USRowing number and information.
After completing a Learn-to-Row class, participants are encouraged to build their skills and confidence through two Novice level classes to pass the Rec Shell Captain's Test and become eligible for club membership
Novice Clinic Dates:
Novice 1: (5 sessions), 1 1/2 hours per day. Three sessions available on July 10-14, July 8-12, and Aug 5-9, cost $175.
Novice 2: (3 sessions), 1 1/2 hours per day. Three sessions available on JUne 17,19,21; July 22,24,26; and Aug 19,21,23. Cost $105.
Register through Regatta Central
Join us for week-long intensive camps to advance your skills and strengthen your rowing. Designed for intermediate and advanced scullers, camps include.
- A collegiate-level coaching team
- Video review and feedback for each rower
- A low participant-to-coach ratio to allow for as much individual attention as possible
Coaches for the Rowing Camps are collegiate coaches from Harvard, Northeastern, and Boston University. They bring deep experience for improving efficient and effective strokes.
Stay tuned for 2024 camp dates!
Learn to Row: At the end of the LTR class, participants will be able to demonstrate the following competencies:
On the Beach:
- Identify the parts of the shell and oars by name
- Identify the recreational shells and where they are located
- Select an appropriate, matching set of oars, carry them to the water, blades first, and set them near the water, with handles off the sand
- Ask for help to take the boat from rack to the water; do so without hitting anything and put it in the water with a bow ball facing the shore
- With the boat in water (hull floating and skeg not touching bottom), adjust foot stretchers and spacers, close the vent and stern plug (if needed), and check the entire boat for missing or loose parts
- Put oars in oarlocks correctly and secure gates
- Remove shoes before stepping into the boat. Get into the boat while holding the oar handles in one hand, without stepping into the bottom
On the Water
- Demonstrate the “safety position” of the oars and your body
- Demonstrate correct hand position, and squaring and feathering oars
- Demonstrate proper stroke sequence (arms, body, legs, legs, body, arms), including quarter slide, half slide, full slide
- Demonstrate backing technique for 3-4 strokes
Post-Row
- Approach beach, being mindful of skeg not touching the sand (bow first) and hull floating; get out of the boat without stepping in the bottom of the boat
- Pull boat in, being careful not to drag the hull on the sand; remove oars from oarlocks and secure gates. Put oars on safe surface
- With a partner, carry boat from water and place in its rack, without hitting anything. Towel boat, open vent and plug (if necessary)
- Wash sand off oars and return to the oar rack, in a matched pair. Witness that oars are locked, unless coach says they can be left unlocked for other rowers
Novice 1: At the end of the class, participants will be able to demonstrate the following, in addition to all LTR competencies
- Launch from and return to the beach without assistance
- Describe and follow pond traffic pattern; avoid rowing in the middle of the pond
- Row with control of the set, clean feathering and squaring (full strokes after warm-up).
- Back at least 10 strokes continuously, maintaining control and point.
- Demonstrate 90 degree turns in both directions, on coach command
- While stopped, dip the bottom nut of each rigger in water
- Demonstrate “flipping the boat” near shore, walking in to shore, and getting back into the boat
Novice 2: At the end of the class, participants will be able to demonstrate the following, in addition to all LTR and Novice1 competencies
- Complete a 360 degree river turn/turn-in-place in both directions (clockwise and counter-clockwise)
- Hit a buoy and extricate yourself from the buoy safely
- Demonstrate awareness of surroundings by regularly checking ahead without stopping
- Demonstrate or describe how to pass and be passed
- Respond immediately to “Weigh enough, check it down!”, maintaining control and point.
- Choose a safe location to pull over to the side of the water and describe what makes it safe.
- Maintain a safe course throughout the row, using foot pressure (not checking one oar to make turns)
- Demonstrate the “buddy system,” making sure both rowers are always safe
- Demonstrate flipping and getting back into the boat away from shore, or swimming boat to shore to get back in
Once you have demonstrated the entire Rec Boat Captain’s Test to your CCMR Coach’s satisfaction, you are eligible to become a CCMR member and sign out a boat! Congratulations!