Rowing

Rowing is a great sport to be involved in, whatever age you are or experience you have and Falcon offers the widest range of opportunities of all Oxford rowing clubs. We have four tiers to suit all levels of rowers and reflecting an opportunity to progress:

BEGINNERS ROWING: Our “Learn To Row” courses provide an enjoyable and highly effective introduction to rowing for people of all ages (or a refresher for those picking up the sport again after a long break) and you don't have to be particularly fit to start either! By the end of the course, you will understand the basic principles of rowing technique and will have had sufficient practice to be able to confidently join in with the Club’s regular, organised group activities. We have both daytime and weekend "Learn To Row" courses available, usually starting during the Spring – Autumn period when the weather and river conditions are better, although rowing in Oxford is an all year round activity.

FALCON LEARN 2 ROW COURSES FOR ADULTS: Falcon Rowing Club runs regular weekday and weekend Learn to Row Courses for Adults.

The Falcon Weekday Learn to Row course takes place on Thursdays 9.30 to 11.30pm
The next course will start on Feb 16th and will run for 5 weeks until 22 March inclusive.

The course is in 2 parts consisting of 5 sessions each.

Part 1 : 5 sessions £90 This includes temporary membership of Falcon RCC, social

Membership of British Rowing and an Explore Rowing hand book. 

Daytime Learn to Row Part I:  
This first course includes a basic introduction to parts of the rowing oar, parts of the rowing boat, how to carry the boat and how to get into and out of the boat.  The core basic
movements of the rowing stroke "drive" will be taught - legs, body, arms - in the first session.  Later sessions will include feathering and squaring techniques as well as slide control.

Part 2: will be a further 5 sessions at a cost of £90.  To reserve a place on the next course please contact: falconl2rwd@gmail.com 

Provisional date for the next Weekend Learn to Row course is March 10th.  For more info or to sign up contact: falconl2rwe@gmail.com

JUNIORS: for more information on Rowing for Juniors please contact Sue Gonnella newswise@btinternet,com

RECREATIONAL ROWING: Beyond beginner, Falcon offers a wide range of recreational rowing options focused on fun, fitness and friends. These are organised into Club groups to suit availability and preference: Daytime Rowing (Tuesday and Thursday morning), Weekend & Evening Rowing (Saturday and Sunday morning plus Tuesday evening during the summer), Touring Rowing (Saturday and Sunday mornings plus occasional longer distance outings), Junior Rowing (Saturday and Sunday mornings and afternoons). We also have many competent DIY rowers who organise themselves. Falcon holds regular social events as well like riverside BBQ's, evenings at the local pub, the annual Christmas dinner, to name but a few.   

OCCASIONAL RACING: Having built up sufficient confidence and competence, Falcon provides recreational rowers with the opportunity to occasionally test themselves in some of the “lighter” competitive races and regattas available locally; when an event is coming up, it really can add a little more focus and motivation to your training! We often find that once you’ve tried it, you “get the bug” but we want to make it clear that members are under no pressure from the Club to race if it’s not for them.

COMPETITIVE RACING: Falcon also offers racing opportunities on a serious, competitive basis for those who have the appetite for it and are willing and able to put in the necessary commitment; we have already produced some national champions and competition winners. Experienced, competitive rowers are also welcome as new members at Falcon who may find the environment and the flexibility we offer more to their liking.      

FEES: Falcon Rowing Club also offers incredible value for money on membership and racking:

• Adult Peak (Anytime) - £215,
• Adult Off-Peak (Weekday and before 5pm) - £110
• Junior (under 18) - £115
• Active, qualified coach providing voluntary coaching to members on a regular basis : £40
• Unwaged - £150
• Temporary - 30 day (non-repeat) £60 and 1 day £10
• Child of Member (Under 18): £10 each
• Racking: Inside - £95, Outside - £80 (subject to availability)

Click here to download an application form. IMPORTANT NOTICE: ALL MEMBERS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO BE A MEMBER OF BRITISH ROWING (see below for all information)

CLUB CONTACTS: For a full list of Club contacts, click here. 

 RIVER SAFETY: Before setting out, each person should complete a number of checks including: 

River Conditions: click here (Environment Agency - the stretch of river Falcon members most use is Osney Lock to Iffley Lock) or click here (OURCS - not always up to date). 

Weather: click here for BBC Oxford weather; it can also be dangerous if it is too windy, too foggy, too dark, too cold (especially if there is ice in the river) or if a storm is due.

Boat & Equipment: Carry out the basic checks to ensure that your boat and equipment are fit for purpose. 

In summary, if an organised club session, the experienced coach on duty will make a judgement call based on competency of cox and crew and the conditions. If rowing outside of an organised club session, it's your own responsibility to make the call. The default position for all is "Any doubt, don’t go out!"