Welcome to Great Bridge Crew & Grassfield Rowing! We are excited to welcome you to our summer Novice Camp, a week-long introduction to crew. If you've never been exposed to the sport of rowing, a learn to row camp is a great way to get your feet wet!
Where do we meet?
Rowers meet at the barrier wall at the end of Basin road at the start time of camp. If there is no one standing there waiting, just hang out in your car for a few minutes until a coach or a board member shows up. Coaches typically park along the side road there and are hanging out until rowers arrive. We will provide you a board members phone number beforehand, in case you need to get in touch with us.
Parents or Rowers that drive themselves: Please drive to the barriers at the END of Basin road, make a U-Turn and park or drop off to keep your rower safe of outgoing traffic to the Atlantic Yacht Basin. We try to be respectful to the staff and the guests of AYB who may be arriving or leaving for the day.
What should we expect at camp?
Day 1: Orientation Day.
GBC Staff will introduce the kids to the sport, they will learn the terms and parts of the boats and the equipment they will use. They will get an introduction to the technique and terms they will hear while in the boats on rowing machines (also known as ergs). The will also learn a bit of the guide lines and rules to our sport. They will have a light workout and possibly get out on the water.
Day 2: Introducing the kids to the water in our boats.
Kids will be placed in either a quad (a 4 person boat) or an 8. They will learn callouts to safely carry the boats down to the water, entering and exiting the boat with some time learning the basics of rowing with other people in their boat. (It's not as easy as it sounds!) Finishing up with how to take the boats out of the water, clean them up and putting them back on the racks.
Days 3 and 4: Row Row Row! Our coaching staff will continue to refine their skills and help the k
ids learn to row
Day 5: More Rowing and a Parade for the Parents!
Parents can come see what their kids have been working on all week long. Roughly an hour before pickup, a board member will meet parents at the roundabout and walk them down to the boathouse to see where the kids have been practicing, get an introduction to the club, and get to see their kids parade by towards the end of their practice. They can watch the kids dock the boats, and watch how well they have learned to work together in such a short time. They will also get a chance to speak with some of the varsity rowers about their experiences with the club.
What to Bring With You
Sunscreen
A LARGE water bottle (32oz or more)
White T-Shirt
Form fitting shorts or spandex. (No basketball or loose clothes)
Hat
Sunglasses
Tennis Shoes (they might get wet)
If you have some time, check out USRowing's Safety Video here for a brief introduction:
Once Camp has Concluded:
Your time with Great Bridge Crew and Grassfield Rowing doesn't have to be over! Fall season starts at the end of August and we would love to invite your child to join the team! Please get in touch with a board member to join!
We look forward to seeing you on the water!
Great Bridge Crew