Rowing and Sculling Programs for Adults (Masters)
Rowing is technically the broader term for both SCULLING and SWEEP ROWING.
BIAC offers these programs for adult scullers and and sweep rowers. Adults are called "masters" in sweep rowing and sculling (even when they are novices!). For 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.
See also Paddling Program and Dragon Boat Program.
Sculling Program
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. Occasional technique clinics are offered, usually 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.
Sculling Skill Levels and Classes Map
Most of our sculling classes, technique clinics, ongoing practice sessions, and teams indicate a prerequisite skill level, described below.
| Skill Level | Description |
|---|---|
| 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? You can take a weekend DeRust clinic to refresh your skills and get certification to take out single shells on your own. |
| Level 2 |
Some experience and 1x certification, for example Learn to Scull and DeRust grads. At this level, you are ready for several of the clinics and classes on Sculling Clinics and Classes, some of the ongoing sessions such as eRows with Coach Alice and Kathleen's sculling classes, and opportunities for Novice team rowing. |
| Level 3 | A year or more of sculling experience, good basics, and a goal to improve technique for speed and efficiency. |
| Level 4 |
Considerable sculling experience, an interest in nuanced technical improvements and training for regattas. The goal of Level 4 sessions is increased speed, efficiency, fitness, and race readiness. Check out Competitive Sculling Coach Mike Still. |
Teams are back on the water for coached singles (1x) small group practices on slightly modified schedules noted below, in compliance with policies for recreation with social distancing per COVID-19 Health Orders.
New to rowing? The best path for 2020 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.
The Adult (Masters) Sweep Program requires club membership, payment of equipment fee, and coaching fees. These teams typically practice both sweep and sculling, with focus on sweep and team boats (2-/x, 4x, 4+, 8+).
Sweep Rowing Skill Levels and Teams
| Skill Level | Description |
|---|---|
| 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 typically 6:00-8:00am, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, subject to change. 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 |
These co-ed programs are for rowers who are not novices. Graduates from the BIAC novice program are welcome, as are rowers with previous high school, college or masters experience. Practices are coached with a roughly one coach/1-2 boats ratio and emphasize 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. Open Team Practices for technique and fitness with racing opportunities. This team is on a revised schedule due to the pandemic and focus on sculling in singles. Practice times are typically 6:00-8:00am, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, subject to change. Rowers new to BIAC with previous rowing experience are asked to come out for a practice or two for technical evaluation to assess which team is the best fit. There are seasonal opportunities to race in local regattas. The open team head coach is Jenifer Aguirre. Recreational Rowing Technical practice sessions for recreation and fitness. For summer 2020, check out Sculling Spectacular with J on Sculling Clinics and Classes. |
| Competitive |
For experienced, highly competitive rowers, the men's and women's competitive masters team, this team is on a revised schedule due to the pandemic and focus on sculling in singles. Practice times are typically Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, with some weekends, temporarily on a flexible schedule. The teams prepare for local, regional, national and international regattas. The competitive team lead is Frances Rubenstein. |
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.
- Find a club member to go out with in a double or singles.
- Email the contact listed for the Level 2, 3, or 4 sculling sessions, and join a session that fits your schedule.
- Saturdays, the Open Team practices with Coach Jenifer from 6am - 8am. Practices typically include 8+'s (sweep), 4x's and 2x's (sculling). The 2 hours breaks down to ~ half technical drills and half all boat rowing. Contact the Open Team lead.
- Saturdays is a Competitive sculling practice from 9-10:30am. See the description above of the Competitive Sculling Group.
- Sundays from 8:15-10am, the Open Team coach, Jenifer, takes out an 8+ and sometimes more boats for a focused technique session. It's a great way to brush up on your sweep technique, learn some new drills, and meet teammates and occasional brunch pals. Contact the team lead.
