Learn to row at Falcon! All welcome. Next course starting soon – contact us for details.

FAQs

Where are the sessions held?

• At Falcon Rowing and Canoeing Club, off Meadow Lane, close to Donnington Bridge. For a map of the area where we row, click here (opens new window).

What do they involve?

• 8 sessions over 4 weeks, usually one weeknight at 6.30pm and one weekend at 11am. Each session lasts about 2 hours.

How fit do I have to be to do the course?

• We welcome all levels of fitness – the learn to row course is more about technique than fitness, but if you go on to join the club after the course, you would see a definite improvement in fitness very quickly as you train.

Do I need to be able to swim?

• Yes – all participants need to be able to swim 100 metres in light clothing.

What are the safety procedures?

• We follow the Water Safety Code guidelines laid down by our national governing body, the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA).
  
• You need to inform the coaches of any medical conditions you may have, and give permission for first aid to be given in case of an emergency.

How much will it cost?

• £50 for the 8-session course.

Do I have to learn all the rowing jargon?

• Not all of it, but most of the commands you'll pick up as you go along. We've created a list - click here.

What should I bring/wear to the sessions?

• Trainers and socks
• Shorts/leggings
• T-shirt
• Warm outer top layer
• Water bottle
• Sun cream
• Hat or cap
• Warm clothes to change into after the session

Please don’t bring valuables such as phones or money to the club.

What happens after the course?

• If you want to continue rowing, you can join the club. You can then choose from two pathways: recreational or competitive rowing. (You can always cross from one to the other if you change your mind!). Recreational rowing involves more stable boats and the emphasis is more on fun outings. Competitive rowing involves training to race in regattas and getting fitness levels up.

Are there any other extra costs after joining the club?

• For recreational rowing, no. For competitive rowing, see below.

• In order to race, you have to be a member of the ARA. This costs £19 per year for juniors and £40 for adults. You also get full insurance and a monthly magazine. Click here for more information.
  
• If participants race at official regattas, the cost is £6-8 per race. We usually ask for a small additional contribution for petrol for trailering the boats to the regatta (£2-4). We expect to attend 6-8 regattas per year with the juniors.
  
• All Falcon members must race in club kit. A range of club kit is available, but we recommend an all-in-one rowing suit as this is the most cost-effective – they cost about £35 and last for a long time. Upon joining you can see our kit in our Members Area of this website.

How can I get involved?

• The way is open to train as a coach/coach helper, or simply to help out with supervision, regattas, barbecues…