Our program runs over four weeks, it's an introduction to rowing course which will give you access to 8 sessions of on-water training where you will learn: 

• The mechanics of rowing

• Parts of the boat and the oars

• Positions in the boat

• Boat handling, rigging and launching

• Four stages of the rowing stroke (basic rowing technique)

• Manoeuvring of the boat 

• Basic rowing commands & terminology

• Safety - for yourself, your crew and the equipment

• Equipment care - cleaning, adjustments, how to avoid damage

• How to use an indoor rowing machine

• How to row as a crew with basic rhythm & timing

• Stretching before & after rowing (inc. warm ups)

• Rowing on Albert Park Lake & Marine Safety

• The history of the Melbourne Argonauts Rowing Club

• Swim session to confirm you can swim 50 meters (marine safety rule)

• To have fun and enjoy the sport of rowing!

Program Structure

The program is developed and delivered by our coaches and coxes with support from our experienced rowers. 

• Kickoff Weekend - Saturday & Sunday 10am - 2pm - First session is off-water where our coaches will teach you the basics of rowing, provide you with an overview of the rowing shell (boat), and will introduce you to the rowing stroke on an indoor rowing machine (everything listed above). The second session starts off-water with a refresher on the basics, before giving you an opportunity to hop into a boat where you get to practice your new skills, supported again by the coach and also a crew of our experienced rowers.

  Over this first weekend you’ll also meet members of the club who will support your learning and will join you for a pub lunch on the Sunday.

• Week One - Saturday 8:15am  - This session will include an off-water refresher of the technique, a chance to ask questions and a warm up before going on-water in a boat with some experienced rowers

• Week Two - Monday 6:15pm & Saturday 8:15am - Two sessions, getting more comfortable on the water and with the equipment as we paddle around the lake, building our confidence and understanding of rowing.

• Week Three - Monday 6:15pm & Saturday 8:15am - Two sessions, the same as week two but we begin to pull your individual skills together as a crew and continue to build your confidence, ability and technique, leading to the a final on-water session. 

• Week Four - Monday 6:15pm - This week your swim session is held and we’ll also go out for a celebratory dinner with other club members and talk about your next steps now you’ll have graduated Learn to Row 

After the Program

Following your graduation from Learn to Row, we hope that you will be keen to continue your development in rowing and become a member of the Argos. We have a number of membership options available and if you decide to join you’ll be included in our Development Squad to continue your rowing journey.

Subsidised places The Argonauts recognises that rowing and team sports have not always been supportive or inclusive of women, transpeople and gender diverse folk. We're wanting to change this by promoting and supporting those that have otherwise not been championed in the sport.

Please get in touch at lrt@maqrc.org to ask about our subsidised places for women, trans and gender diverse folks.

Register to secure your place now, once registered you’ll be sent a confirmation with additional information about the program including what to bring and your participant handbook. 

Please note, rowing is an all weather sport and the program will continue regardless of weather (unless very severe and it becomes dangerous) if we’re unable to go on-water for a session the program will transition to off-water training.

The program can be tailored to any special requirements of the rowers, please let us know when you book, or when you arrive, of anything we need to know.

Program participants must be aged 18 years or over.

We aim to provide a program and pathway into rowing for everyone, if there are financial or social barriers we can help with please do reach out to discuss, we can work out something for you.

If you have any questions please contact ltr@melbourneargonauts.com.au