Rowing is the broader term for both SCULLING and SWEEP ROWING.
BIAC offers flat water rowing programs for adult scullers and and sweep rowers. Adults are called "masters" in sweep rowing and sculling (even as novices!). For more information about any of these programs, please email info@gobair.org or see the Contacts page for particular programs.
Interested in a Guest row? BIAC offers a few opportunities for guests who are experienced scullers and rowers. If you are visiting from out of town or would like to try-before-you-buy a full membership, see Guest Scullers and Rowers.
Scullers use either their own private shells or BIAC club boats. They generally row when the water and winds are calm, typically in the morning.
Coached sessions are available throughout the year, along with technique classes and clinics during the warmer months.
Scullers range in interest and ability from recreational to fitness to highly competitive. Many members of BIAC rowing teams are also scullers; good sculling technique enhances sweep skills.
Most sculling classes, technique clinics, and ongoing practice sessions indicate prerequisite skill levels, described below. Ongoing sessions require club membership, many classes and clinics are open to the public.
Skill Level | Description |
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Level 1 |
No experience, just starting out. BIAC offers Level 1 Learn to Scull classes. Included in the price is a month's trial membership in BIAC, during which participants can take other sculling classes, perhaps become certified in a single shell, and decide if they wish to become BIAC members. >>Are you an experienced sweep rowers, or scullers returning to the sport after a hiatus? Contact Operations Director Chris Flynn and ask about taking a DeRust lesson. |
Level 2 |
Some experience and 1x certification, for example Learn to Scull and DeRust grads. At this level, you are ready for some of our Sculling Clinics and Classes, ongoing eRows sessions, and opportunities for Novice team rowing. If you have 1+ years of experience, you may also try the Intermediate, Daylight or Competitive Crew Teams described below. |
Level 3 | A year of more of sculling experience, good basics, and a goal to improve technique for speed and efficiency. |
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New to rowing? The best path is to sign up for Learn to Scull.
Already have rowing experience? Check out Sculling Clinics and Classes, get certification to row 1x's at BIAC, find out about other coached sessions, or join one of the teams below.
If you have experience rowing but it's been a while, contact Operations Director Chris Flynn and ask about taking a DeRust lesson.
The Adult (Masters) Teams requires club membership, payment of equipment fees, and monthly coaching fees. These teams typically practice both sweep and sculling, with focus on team boats (2-/x, 4x, 4+, 8+).
The Masters Teams are separated for three skill levels, Novice, Intermediate, and Competitive, with the opportunities to build on your current competencies and advance through the program based on your goals and interests.
Skill Level | Description |
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Novice |
Composed primarily of Learn to Scull graduates, this team is on a revised schedule due to the pandemic and focus on sculling in singles. Practice times are 5:30-7:30am Tuesday, Thursday, and 6:00-8:00am Saturday. Rowers further develop rowing and sculling skills, and prepare to compete in local and regional regattas. Adult novice status is two years, after which the athlete is ready to move on. The head novice coach is Chuck Bonnici. |
Intermediate/Open Daylight Crew |
Co-ed recreational program are for rowers who are not novices. Graduates from the BIAC novice program are welcome, as are rowers with previous rowing experience. Practices are coached with a roughly one coach/2-3 boats ratio. The emphasize is on technique, fitness, and teamwork. Rowers can expect to row both sweep and sculls as well as share coxing duties which rotate about once a month per athlete. This co-ed recreational group practices for technique and fitness. Practice times are 5:15-7:00am, Tuesday, Thursday, and 6:00-8:00am Saturday. The open team head coach is Jenifer Aguirre. The team lead is Michelle Hohenberger.
New in 2023, this is a weekly masters team with a variable schedule. Participate in one 2-hour practice per week with Coach Amanda. Practice with a focus on improving skills and moving the boat effectively and will include video review. Visit this page for full details and information on how to sign up. |
Competitive |
For experienced, competitive rowers. The men's and women's competitive team trains in small and large sweep and sculling boats to complete at local and national regattas. Practice times are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings 5:00-7:00am, with some optional weekends and land training. The competitive team head coach is Chris Flynn. The team lead is Jesús Serrano Cendejas. |
For experienced rowers and scullers, a drop-in row (arranged in advance) with either a buddy or one of the teams is available for a small fee. All options require signing a waiver and coach approval of your skill set to use our equipment and launch from our docks. The team rows are often logistically easier in terms of these requirements because coaches are present, but if you are an experienced sculler, getting out on the water with a sculling class club member as a sponsor is possible.
Here is a sampling of drop-in options to get you started.
Any questions about Daylight Crew, please email Team Coordinator Rachel Kindt!