Have you tried rowing?
In order to introduce the sport to those who know little or nothing about it there are two evolutions. The first is National Learn To Row Day (NLTRD) sponsored nationally by the United States Rowing Association and Concept II (the manufacturer of Indoor Rowing Machines and the oars used by sweep and sculling rowers) and locally by the Toledo Rowing Club and Toledo Rowing Foundation. The second is SumPro, the local learn-to-row program.
National Learn To Row Day is scheduled for Saturday, 4 June, at the Philip LeBoutillier, Jr. Memorial Boathouse in International Park, to run from 8:13 am until 12:18 pm It is Free and open to anyone and everyone no matter what shape, size, or level of conditioning. There are four “stations” for want of a better word: a tour of the boathouse with an introduction to rowing lingo; a class on rowing technique on the Indoor Rowing Machine which is more widely known by rowers as “the erg”; an opportunity to sit in an Alden Ocean Shell with an oar in each hand, try the technique learned on “the erg”, guided by an experienced coach, and secured to the dock by means of a very long tether; and a ride in an 8-man shell with six experienced rowers and a coxswain (the mouthy little bugger who steers and serves as the on board coach), During that ride the “guests” are encouraged to pick up the oar and join the experienced rowers for just a bit.
SumPro, the local learn-to-row program, starts on Monday, 6 June at 1728 (5:28 pm). There are two 4-week sessions. The first one is dedicated to teaching sweep rowing – one oar per person. The second session is dedicated to teaching sculling – two oars per person. The coaching staff is there Monday through Thursday evening of each week. The classes begin at 1728 and finish at 1903 (7:03 pm). Typically participants come two evenings a week, but there is no additional charge should they choose to come three or all four evenings each week.
The investment in learning this life time sport – no damage to ankles, knees, or backs – is $100 per session and $180 for both sessions. For that investment the participants are members of Toledo Rowing Club for the remainder of the calendar year. Folks who are interested may go to www.toledorowing.org, click on Learn To Row, and register for either or both sessions.
The FrogTown Regatta is scheduled for Saturday, 24 September. The races are 3 miles long starting close to the Norfolk and Western Railroad Bridge and racing upstream on the north side of the river to the finish line close to the High Level Bridge. When the racers come under the Martin Luther King Bridge, they will veer toward the Docks Restaurants so as to hear the cheers of the adoring fans. Last fall there were 1300 competitors from 6 states, and 33 rowing clubs age 14 to 62, male and female, high school, college, and masters (anyone over the age of 21 is considered to be a masters rower). Racing will start about 0800 and finish around 1530. Singles (one person per boat), doubles (two per boat), fours (you guessed it), and eights (you guessed that, too) will race in the various age categories. It is quite a sight and very visible from the studios of WSPD AM1370 high atop Fort Industry Square.
Press Release Contact Name: Rod McElroy
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-698-9336
Organization Name: Toledo Rowing Club
Website or Link: www.toledorowing.org
Organization Address: 8 Main Street, Toledo, OH, 43605