First class FAQs

Come comfortable! You will get a work out, so wear what you would to walk, run, go to the gym, or do anything active outside. Most of us wear shorts, t-shirt or tank, leggings, or in the summer light protective water shirts.

One word of warning: if you wear very loose clothing, your hands and oar can get caught in the fabric. Long, baggy shorts aren’t advisable because they can also get stuck under the seat of the boat. This will make more sense after your first class, don’t worry!

For Learn to Row, I’d start with old sneakers/running shoes (or “trainers” as 2024 Learn to Row Session 1 participant Helen calls them since she’s British). We will start on the rowing machines to get you familiar with the stroke, and running shoes work well there. The boats have shoes built into them, so please know you’ll eventually take off your shoes and tie into the shoes in the boat. Please bring socks!

Each class will start at the front of the Hampton Roads Rowing Club boathouse. From the parking lot, walk toward the water and buildings behind the baseball fields on your right. Our boathouse is the first building on your right, with a bay garage door facing toward the water. You’ll likely see a lot of people and activity in front of the boathouse as regular crews will be washing their boats after their morning row. Our address is 1650 Willow Wood Dr, Norfolk, VA 23509. Half of our club members were in your shoes and started at Learn to Row. Don’t be nervous walking up the boathouse! We love our Learn to Row participants.

Each class will be about 2 hours long. The format will vary as classes progress, but generally the coaches will have you start on the rowing machine to get the basic sequence and warm up. They will then move you to the water, with our goal being able to provide you the most water time possible. After your row, we’ll wash the boats and put them away. We row on brackish water, it is very important to take care and wash the boats after every row. (This is the general rule for our club no matter the boat or experience level.)

Please bring a water bottle to class! You won’t need snacks during class, but you can bring a small waterproof bag if you’d like to bring something with you just in case. It’s very important to stay hydrated on the water and it can get warm out there. Please make sure to bring water with you.

Yes! After running through the stroke sequence and getting you comfortable on the rowing machines (a.k.a “ergs”), we will split the group into two. Half of the participants will learn how to “sweep” with one oar, the other half will learn to “scull” with two oars (one in each hand). Each boat will have a dedicated coach with them. You’ll also have an experienced rower in the boat with you so you have someone to follow. Our aim is to have you on the water every day of class.

While rowing is a water sport and there’s a likelihood of you being splashed, you do not need spare clothes. Splashing can occur across every experience level to various degrees. You should not get that wet.

We recommend a small waterproof bag for those who want to bring phones or other small items into the boat. We don’t have much room in the boats. If you are concerned with materials getting wet, please don’t bring them into the boat.