Row with Black Mountain Rowing Club
Whether you want to learn to row, want to come back to rowing, or you are new to Canberra and are looking for a club to join, you will find a warm welcome at Black Mountain. We love to compete and we enjoy getting together socially.
Junior Learn to Row
We do not have a regular junior learn to row at the Club. The focus in recent years has been on the children of Club members and their friends.
Adult Learn to Row
Anyone 18 and over can join our adult learn to row at our Club. In Canberra there are competing rowers in their 80s. Rowing is excellent exercise for the whole of the body, being a low-impact sport involving aerobic conditioning and stretching.By the end of the course you will be able to row but, of course, rowing is a continuing learning experience and gaining higher levels of competency takes time. The Club sometimes runs free transition courses for those learn-to-rowers who join the Club to consolidate skills.
Courses start regularly from spring until autumn. Contact our learn-to-row coordinator
for more information and to ensure that a place is available for you.
Application
Please fill out the attached LTR application form to participate in LTR after checking with the LTR coordinator.
Fees
The fee of $150 is due by the first day of the program. Fees cover coaching, insurance and
use of club equipment. $100 of this fee goes towards any subsequent membership. For the purposes of applying the $100 discount, it is for membership starting from the end of the course.
Payments should be made to the coordinator at the first lesson or through the Internet (see the application form for payment details). If you make an electronic payment, you must
include your name and the reference to Learn to Row (LTR) in the comments field on the
payment. You should bring a copy of the transaction to the first lesson. (You can screen
dump if necessary by pressing the ‘Prt Scr’ and ‘Ctrl’ keys at the same time, copying it into a
word processor and printing.)
Course outline
The first week covers basic stroke and exercises, equipment and terminology. Normally learners could expect to spend a short time on the water.
The following four lessons
will vary depending on the size of the group and conditions. It could involve doubles and quads.
Lessons cover:
Revision exercises at various points.
Navigation (/steering) exercises.
Using full slide.
Working with other crew.
Using ergo machine.
Moving the boat in both directions.
Capsize drill.
The program
If you are 18 or more, can swim 50 metres fully clad and have satisfied yourself as to your
fitness, you are eligible to enroll in the learn to row program. Life jackets are not worn while rowing and even the best rowers may fall in. Please bring a complete change of clothes and towel to each
lesson.
The course comprises five Sunday two-hourly lessons, run in blocks. They usually commence
at 8.00am in Summer and 9am as the days get shorter. Programs are not run over Winter.
Membership
Graduates of the "learn to row" program are welcomed as members and the learn-to-row fee
goes towards membership. Details are at update link.
Lake Rules:
You will be advised of the rules governing rowing on the Lake and these must be followed
to ensure the safety of all Lake users. The most important of these is keeping to the left.
Safety:
Common sense and alertness are critical in rowing and clearly the less experienced you are
as a rower, and the colder the water, the more important it is for you to stay close to the left bank,
to row in crewed boats or to row in company. Coaches will advise you on the conditions and in
some cases lessons will need to be cancelled. Should you fall in:
- You would normally be seen and assistance will be forthcoming. If you have not been seen, you should attract attention.
- If you can get back into the boat, you should try to do so as shown in drills. It involves righting the boat into a normal rowing position, holding the two handles with one hand and heaving yourself back onto the boat.
- If you can’t get back in the boat stay with it (you can raise your body out of the water by lying over an upturned boat).
- NEVER leave an upturned boat unless instructed by another boat or tinny offering assistance.
Weather conditions can change quickly but here are some pointers. You should not row if:
Fog – you cannot see over to the other bank:
Rain – where it is heavy or likely to be;
Lightning - there is a thunderstorm or any prospect of lightning;
Wind – there is strong wind, as may be evidenced by whitecaps. It is important to check weather
forecasts if in doubt.
Hypothermia & overexposure:
Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature (usually below 35 degrees).
Symptoms include weakness, drowsiness irritability and poor coordination. The severity of hypothermia depends on age and physical condition, clothing, the temperature (of water or air), wind chill and period of exposure.
Treatment:
Protect the person from the wind rain and the cold. If possible remove wet clothing and provide the person with warm dry clothing. Make sure to cover the head, hands and feet to prevent further escape of heat.
Provide the person with warm (not hot) fluids to drink (no alcohol). Put the person in a warm bath or shower so that they can warm up gradually. Do not attempt to rapidly heat the person using a hot bath or shower, too hot a water bottle or electric blankets.
Medical conditions:
Rowing is an aerobic sport requiring a level of fitness and agility and those who are reasonably active tend to get more out of the course. Before starting the learn-to-row program, you should seek the advice of your doctor if you have any health issues, even though the course itself is aimed more at skill than fitness. LTR is staffed by volunteers and they are not in a postion to make any medical assessments.
Looking for a club to join?
Our goal is to provide a friendly environment which encourages you to develop your skills
and, importantly, to enjoy the rowing experience. While many members compete, that is a choice
for individuals, with some just enjoying rowing, the amenity and atmosphere.
If you want to join our Club, the best way to make a decision is to come to meet us. Canberra is a city with a many short-term residents and we've often enjoyed their company. You will love our Lake, Canberra's centrepiece.
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