Many new rowers have posed similar questions over the years. For the ease of incoming rowers, we've gathered some of their FAQs to help you get a quick understanding of BCR and Rowing opportunities.

About BCR

BCR: Boulder Community Rowing, Inc. (BCR) was founded in 2000 to bring a variety of rowing experiences to the Boulder area community. It is a non-profit corporation with an active Board of Directors. As of August 2007 we have approximately 65 members.

Funding comes from member fees, donations, and other fundraising activities. Fees are outlined under Sign Up Information. See Fundraising & Donations for more information on those topics.

When we row: In general, rowing is a pre-dawn or early morning event. The water is quiet, the sunrise is beautiful, and the ducks are sleeping. In Boulder, we rarely row in the afternoons because of the variety of water hazards: high winds, hail, lightning and other weather dangers, as well as motorized boat traffic on Boulder Reservoir. Early morning training offers the opportunity to arrive at work on time. Most classes run from 5:30 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, broken up into different program days; private lessons usually occur after the program hours when coaches are free for individual lessons.

Where we row: We row at Boulder Reservoir, northeast of Boulder. Click here to see a map and get driving directions. The boats are stored on racks outdoors at the Boulder Reservoir. We hope to have a boathouse one day so we can offer a more extensive program and can better protect our equipment from exposure to the elements.

Partnerships: BCR partners with other Front Range crew programs, such as Colorado Crew (the rowing team of the University of Colorado at Boulder), Rocky Mountain Rowing Club (located at Cherry Creek Reservoir in Denver), Fort Collins Rowing Association, CSUCrew at Colorado State University (also in Ft. Collins), and Colorado Juniors Crew (a Boulder rowing program for high school students). 

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Who Can Row and How Many Rowers Are Needed?

Who can row: BCR was formed to bring rowing to the greater Boulder community. Anyone who is moderately fit and who can carry at least 50 pounds can row. If you're younger than 18, check out Colorado Juniors Crew, which also meets at the Boulder Reservoir.

Never rowed?: Most people haven't rowed. Until recently, rowing was a sport traditionally associated with East Coast schools. Now, masters (people aged 27 and over) and women are among the fastest growing communities in rowing. Our Learn-to-Row classes will teach you the basics of the stroke, all the terminology, boat handling and etiquette, warm-ups, stretching, and water safety.

Number of rowers in a boat: BCR owns different sized boats, allowing you to row alone or with a group of people. However, if you are new to rowing you will start out in an 8-boat or a 4-boat, with a coxswain to help steer.

• a pair, which is two people with two oars total
• a four, which is four rowers with four oars total
• an eight, which is eight rowers with eight oars total

Most fours and all eights require a coxswain, the person in the back of the boat who steers and calls commands.

"Sculling" is rowing with two oars for each person, where you can row the following:

• a single, which is one person with two oars
• a double (or double scull), which is two people with four oars
• a quad (or quadruple scull), which is four people with eight oars

None of these boats have coxswains to steer.

See the US Rowing Glossary of Rowing Terms for more information about rowing terminology.

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Health and Fitness Requirements for Rowing

Size: No, not all rowers are tall and skinny! Rowing includes both heavyweight and lightweight categories. And if you're small, you can become a "coxswain" - the person who steers the boat and orders everyone around. We're always looking for coxswains.

Age: Rowing offers age categories from high school to the ancient. Many events are held with certain age and weight categories. Even in mixed-age boats, handicaps are given in an attempt to even things out. There are rowers still competing at the national level into their 90s. Most young people start rowing when they are in high school.

Gender: Both men and women are eligible row. One of the fastest growing populations of rowers is women - high school, college, and masters-category women. Because rowing is a sport that involves mostly legs, women often do as well or better than men. Men and women often row together in the same boats for classes and general training, but can also row in all men's or all women's boats for practice or race preparation.

Fitness: Rowing well requires at least a moderate level of fitness. You must help carry the boat to and from the dock, as well as help lift the boat in and out of the water. The dock is about 100 yards from the boat racks, and each person carries about 50 pounds on his or her shoulder. Sweep and scull boats are narrow, and the rowing motion involves bending forward and backward at the hip. Consider these factors and your body type when choosing a program.

Injury: Many people who have sports injuries can still row, including those with knee, elbow, shoulder, neck, etc. injuries. Some injuries actually improve because rowing is a non-impact sport (unlike running). But check with your doctor to make sure. Even those who've never participated in a sport before can row. Since BCR offers many types of rowing opportunities, physical strength is not the primary factor. We'll teach you how to row.

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Lessons, Racing, Clothing

Programs: We offer Learn-To-Row Weekends, Novice Programs, Experienced Programs, and Racing Programs, as well as Sculling Workshops. Except for Learn-To-Row Weekends and Sculling Workshops, each rowing class is scheduled to be about 1 1/2 hours, plus 15-20 minutes to put the boats away. You should plan on 2 hours for each class.

Competing or not: Many new and returning rowers have a vision of athletics as it was in high school and college. BCR provides opportunities for those who want to relive competitive days and for those who would rather leave them in the past. Some rowers train 5-6 days per week or more, while many row 1-3 days a week and never compete.

Don't need lessons: As a paid BCR member and an already-experienced rower, you will be eligible to use BCR equipment once you have been certified/approved. You are also welcome to use your own equipment and row with us. Introduce yourself to us by contacting info@boulderrowing.com.

Indoor Racing: In the winter, rowers practice on rowing machines, and the really crazy ones race each other. Each February there are several regional indoor racing championships, culminating in the indoor racing championships in Boston, called the C.R.A.S.H.-Bs. Our regional race is the Mile High Sprints, sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Rowing Club. Visit this site in the fall for updated information, or check the Concept II web site at www.concept2.com.

Attire concerns: The singlet (or unisuit) is not considered the most flattering piece of attire. Rest assured, however, that the unisuit is usually worn only for racing. Each club chooses its design to intimidate (or amuse) other crews, and just generally look like hot rowers. At practice we're much scruffier. The only necessary items are non-baggy pants, such as bike shorts or tights. Loose shorts and sweats can get caught in the seat wheels. Layers will help you to stay warm and dry.

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BCR Contact Information & Board of Directors

BCR 2008 Board of Directors

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