Rowing Lessons
Sweep Rowing

 

In sweep rowing, each rower has one oar and holds the handle of his or her oar with both hands. The oars alternate from the port and starboard sides of the boat. Sweep boat configurations accommodate two, four, or eight rowers. Sweep boats usually have coxswains, whose job is to steer the boat and call out rowing commands to the crew.

The Lake Merritt Rowing club offers classes in sweep rowing. The sweep rowing session meets Saturdays from 9:30am to 12:00pm and Sundays from 9:30am to 12:00pm for three (3) weekends. Classes are taught using the club's ergometers and eight oared rowing shells. During the sweep rowing class, students are taught how to hold, lift and carry the boat out of the boathouse and into the water (and back into the boathouse again), how to how to insert the oars and get into and out of the boat, how to maneuver the boat with the oars, how to row together as a team, and how to follow basic coxswain's commands. During the lessons, the students will row on Lake Merritt under the supervision of the instructor and learn the proper traffic pattern on the lake.

Upon successful completion of the beginning sweep rowing class, new members are welcome to join any of the club's organized sweep rowing crews.

Enrollment Directions

 

  1. All rowing students must show proof of their ability to swim (from a Water Safety Instructor) before taking the class. Complete your swim test, fill out the Swim Test Form and have it signed by the WSI.
  2. Complete a personal check payment for $100 (made out to Lake Merritt Rowing Club).
  3. Complete a Standard Athlete's Release Form.
  4. Mail all three documents (Swim Test Form, Check payment, and Standard Athlete's Release Form) to the following address:

Maria Watt

1264 Monterey Ave.

Berkeley CA 94707

Each class will hold ten people. Enrollment in each class will be based upon a "first come first served" process when we have full receipt of all the necessary documentation. A spot will not be held for anyone who neglects to send all three documents. Please indicate which class you are interested in when you submit your documentation. After we receive your documents, we will notify and confirm the class schedule with you. If we cannot schedule you into your desired class, we will notify you of the next available class.

NOTE: If the forms and checks are sent to the club's post office box instead of to the address above, you most likely will not get into the next available class.

Click here for a list of List of Swimming Centers that can complete the swim test form.

A spot in the class is not considered confirmed until the instructor approves and the appropriate forms and payment are in order.

Questions can be directed to Please keep in mind that this site is updated as often as possible - some classes may already be full and this information may not be reflected on the web site. Thanks.

* 8-person shell (8+) provided courtesy of the Triton Website.