Start Middle School Rowing Program Registration
Learn to row
Our middle school program focuses on the esentials of rowing in the stable training barge and then both sculling (rowing with two oars each) and sweep rowing (rowing with one oar each). The athletes row in the training barge, coxed quads, eight-person boats, and they learn valuable skills such as teamwork, fitness conditioning, and safety on the water. The middle school program is coached by high-level coaches who make learning to row easy and fun.
Advanced middle school camp now open!!
If your child has enjoyed the learn to row camps this fall, we are now adding an advanced camp.
Only 10 spots per camp is available so please sign up soon
Contacts:
Beth Anderson coachbeth@me.com 510-928-9131 Program Director
To complete the registration process click on the link below “Start Registration”, you will need a printer, e-mail, and a credit card.
—>Start Registration<—
What to Expect from our Program
Mission Statement:
Oakland Strokes is committed to creating Nationally Competitive teams, by empowering youth from culturally diverse backgrounds and encouraging these youth to pursue excellence in all facets of their lives through the education and training in the art of rowing.
What is the purpose of the Middle School?
Middle school rowing is an opportunity to learn a new sport. At a time when kids are realizing the sport they currently play is not going to be a good fit as they get older. The competition gets stiffer and many kids find themselves without a sport. Rowing is a sport where most kids begin in High School, there are not many sports like that.
What can I expect from Practices?
Every day will have some conditioning aspect, abs, running, erging, weights, etc… and then some rowing. We will only row in the Barge, but this allows us to row in most weather conditions and will allow them the highest coach/rower ratio. Much more hands on instruction is available in the Barge than in boats and this will allow us to give the middle school athletes a better experience.
What makes a good rower or coxswain?
In middle school everyone is invited to row and even in high school we work with everyone, but if your rower is looking to row in college, here are some tips for you.
For Rowers it is Body construction, size to strength ratio, leadership, technical ability, coach-ability, competitiveness, positive “I can do it”, “I will try it” attitude, confidence, sportsmanship, team player mentality and general athletic potential.
For Coxswains they need to be small and be able to handle many inputs at once. Being a coxswain is very difficult, and requires steering a 60 foot boat with 8 rowers and dealing with wind, current, etc… while remembering the race plan, where they are and not crashing…it is fun, but very difficult.
A good athlete will want to master all aspects of the sport and will want to perform daily to the best of their ability. This sport requires 100 hours of training per 1 minute of racing (or about that) so it is important that it the athletes find the training fun and challenging and they will see improvement.
Working with Your Coach
The coaching staff at Oakland Strokes has many years of experience, many national titles and innumerable championship victories. The staff is focused on the best interest of your athletes. We would never try and have them do things beyond their abilities or that we find unsafe for your child.
It is important that if you ever have a question or concern please call their coach or the coaches liason’s. They are here for you to call and any info. You give them will be anonymous if you don’t want the coach to know. The Liason’s have years of rowing experience and they will help you understand any deciscions made by the coaches.
Scholarship Information
The Oakland Strokes will provide scholarships to the best of our ability to make rowing available to all. It is important that the request is made as soon as possible as funds are limited. Press the Start Registration link above for more information.