There are really no other costs for social members other that if you choose to buy some of the Club’s gear such as zooties, hats, training tops, fleecy jackets etc. Details of these are on the website on the Merchandise page.
For competitive rowers it is mandatory to wear the club zootie when racing so you would have to purchase one of those and you are also charged seat fees (a small fee for each race you go in).
$99.00 (Students $89.00)
This fees is for Four Learn to Row sessions.
Social Only $350.00
Active Social $450.00
Competitive $550.00
(Includes $60.00 Rowing WA Affiliation Fee)
Students (enrolled full time at a tertiary institution)
Social Only $250.00
Active Social $350.00
Competitive $450.00
(Includes $60.00 Rowing WA Affiliation Fee)
All fees can be paid Annually, Half Yearly or Quarterly.
Where you take what you’ve learnt is completely up to you.
You may decide that rowing is just not for you or you can’t or don’t want to commit any time to it. Generally though, we find that many people who do the course really do enjoy it and want to go further with it.
As a Competitive Rower you can row in regattas that are held by Rowing WA during the season which runs from May through to September each year.
There are two types of regattas which are called Pennants and Masters.
With Pennants you row in races according to your own ability and that of your crew. That level is determined by your results at previous regattas. In other words you start at the bottom and work your way up.
With Masters you row in races according to your age (min 27 years old) or the average age of your crew members.
You can also row in mixed crews (Men & Women together). Masters rowing is a lot of fun and not quite as demanding as pennants.
A regatta timetable is available on the Rowing WA website.
It is recommended that you come prepared for some physical exertion, on the water. In the summer months it can get quite warm, so a hat and water bottle are very important. Generally bike pants or close fitting shorts will give the rower confidence in the boat, and make sure the clothes do not get caught on oars, seat slides etc. A firm or close fitting shirt is also recommended. Loose clothing can be dangerous if it gets caught on the equipment. For the first lesson where you will have a bit of instruction on rowing machines you might like to bring joggers, and then they can be replaced with thick socks or firm slip on rubber soled “reef walker” type shoes for when we jump in the boats. It is possible to row in bare feet initially.
NOTE: Sunscreen is also very important as you will be outside for at least 2 hours (before rowing, on the water, and afterwards cleaning etc).
What level of fitness do I need?
The lessons will not be highly physical, but some degree of fitness (e.g. able to walk for 15 minutes with little effort) will make the on water sessions more enjoyable. By the fourth lesson, you will be able to row continuously for at least 20 to 30 minutes.
For Information on our Learn To Row Courses please either complete the form below with your questions or call
| Course Coordinator | Peter Briggs (08) 9450 5555 0418 906 272 Murdoch University Rowing Club |
If you have rowed before, either in Australia or overseas, we can offer you a place to come and have a row.
It may be that you rowed at school or at another club some years ago and are thinking of getting back into it or you are just visiting Perth for a short time and want somewhere relaxed and easy going to have a gentle paddle up the river or to mix it with the regular trainers.
Generally speaking, if you have rowed a dozen times or more before then you will be easily able to mix in with our social rowing crews that go out on a Tuesday afternoon, a Wednesday morning or on a Saturday morning.
For the more serious we have crews that train every morning and you could be a part of this if you are looking for something a bit more rigorous.
We welcome people of all ages (16-80) male or female, all nationalities.
To find out more call Ian Winfield on (08) 9220 9031 or 0438 368 837
or complete the form below and we will get back to you with the answers to your queries.
Want to get a head start?
Rowing has some different terminology and there are basic terms and commands you will need to learn fairly quickly.
If you wanted to get really serious there is a fair bit to learn but don’t stress about having to know everything straight away. The basics get drilled into you right from the start so by week two of a course you are well on your way to instantly recognising some of the terms used.
“You not only have to learn to row, you have to learn a whole new language!” well it’s not quite that hard – here is a list of the key terms that may be used by a coach.
Blade
Flattened or spoon-shaped end of an oar or scull; often used as term for an oar
Bow
Front or forward end of boat
Bow ball
Safety ball fitted to the sharp front of rowing boat
Bowside
All rowers whose oars are in the water on the right hand side of the boat when viewed from the cox’s seat or back of the boat
Button
Plastic sheath on an oar to prevent it from slipping through the rowlock; adjustable on modern oars
Canvas
The canvas on the front and back decks of a rowing boat, the distance between the bow ball and the back of the rower sitting in the bow seat
Catch
The part of the stroke when the blade is put in the water
Coxswain (Cox)
Steers the boat from the seat in the stern or a lying position in the bow
Crab
Occurs when the rower fails to get the oar out of the water at the end of the stroke or slices the oar into the water when taking the catch; can result in the rower being ejected from boat to water
Crew
Rowers who man a boat
Drive
The part of the stroke between the catch and the finish where the legs push down
Feather
To turn the blade parallel with the water surface at the start of the recovery to improve balance and reduce wind resistance
Fin
Small flat plate perpendicular to the bottom of the boat to aid steering a straight course
Finish
The part of the stroke just before and as the blade is taken out of the water
FISA
Federation Internationale des Sovietes d’Aviron – The International Rowing Federation
Gate
Bar across a rowlock to retain the oar
Gunwale
Horizontal plank at the top of the hull running the length of the boat
Hands away
The act of dropping the oar handle at the finish of the stroke so that the blade leaves the water and is feathered at the start of the recovery
Length
The length of a boat (i.e. “They won by one length”)
Oar
A lever approximately 12 feet (360cm) long by which the rower pulls against the rowlock to move the boat through the water
Puddles
Whirls left in the water caused by the blade as the rower pulls
Rating
The rate of stroking, or the number of strokes per minute that a crew is rowing
Recovery
The part of the stroke cycle between the finish and the catch in which the oar is feathered and the seat is returned to the front of the slide
Regatta
A competitive event raced in boats
Repecharge
A second heat to afford another chance of qualifying to those running second best in preliminary heats
Rhythm
The proportion of time occupied on the recovery to the time taken on the pull through
Rigger
A metal framework or a carbon-fibre reinforced arm to support the rowlock which is attached to the side of the boat
Rowlock
A bracket which swivels on the end of the outrigger to support the oar
Rudder
Steering device attached vertically to the stern or under the hull of a shell
Run
The distance a boat travels in one stroke
Sculling
Using two oars or sculls
Slide
Parallel rails in which the seat moves on wheels
Stern
The rear or aft of the boat
Stretcher
A frame with straps or shoes to anchor the rower’s feet
Stroke
The complete cycle of moving the boat through the water using oars or sculls; also the rower seated nearest the stern
Stroke side
All the rowers whose oars are in the water on the left hand side of the boat when viewed from the cox’s seat or back of the boat
Washing out
Occurs when the blade comes off the water during the pull-through before the finish
“18 months ago I needed to do something about getting active as my dodgy old footballing knees wouldn’t allow me to do a lot of excercise so I did a Murdoch Rowing Club Learn to Row course and was instantly hooked. Under the expert guidance of Peter Briggs I quickly learned the basics and joined the club straight after the course finished. Within a few months after regularly doing social rowing where my technique naturally improved from rowing with experienced rowers I decided to get a bit more serious. I started training two days a week as well as Saturday mornings and before I knew it I was racing in regattas and even rowed in the Australian Masters rowing championships in June 2010.
“I have lost 22 kilos, made lots of new friends and rowing has given me a whole new lease on life.”
Ian Winfield (56) – Nedlands
“About 20 years ago I did a small amount of rowing at school in Victoria and a couple of years ago I decided to do the Murdoch Learn to Row course as a refresher. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and since then I am a regular rower at regattas and at social rowing.”
“A few years ago somebody suggested I consider rowing as a form of exercise so I gave the Murdoch Learn to Row course a go. Peter & Steph were particularly helpful and knowledgeable and were very empathetic with the flexibility limitations of a 68 year old woman. Rowing for me is now the only exercise I do as it is very gentle on the body whilst giving me a good work out. I really recommend this course to anyone who is getting on in years.”
Upcoming Courses
2017
Starts – Sep 30th 2017 (and 7/10, 14/10 & 21/10)
Starts – Nov 4th 2017 (and 11/11, 18/11 & 25/11)
2018
Starts – Jan 6th 2018 (and 13/1, 20/1 & 27/1)
Starts – Feb 10th 2018 (and 17/2, 24/2 & 3/3)
Cost: $99.00 (Students $89.00)
Ages: 17 – 70
You Will Need:
To Register select one of the following:
1. Complete the online form
2. Print off the pdf registration form & fax to (08) 9450 1666
3. Scan & email the form to this address
To Pay select one of the following:
1. Deposit the necessary funds (as above) to
2. Post a cheque payable to Murdoch University Rowing Club to PO Box 876a, Mt Pleasant, WA, 6153.
3. Bring a cheque or cash with you on your first Learn to Row morning. Cheques payable to Murdoch Uni Rowing Club.
