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EnglishWhat Does "Row" Mean in Rowing and How Do You Start at a Club?
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"Row" is both the verb for propelling a boat with oars and the activity itself — the sport of rowing. If you want to try it, the standard entry point at a club is a Learn to Row course, followed by a Novice squad once you have the basics. The University of New South Wales Rowing Club (UNSWRC) is one example of a club that structures its membership this way, catering to student, masters and community members.
What "row" actually means
In rowing, to row means to move a boat by pulling oars through the water while seated, facing the stern (backwards). This is different from paddling, where you face forward and use a paddle rather than oars.
A few terms worth knowing before you contact a club:
- Sweep rowing — each rower holds one oar, and boats carry two, four or eight rowers plus a coxswain.
- Sculling — each rower holds two oars.
- Erg / rowing machine — indoor training equipment that mimics the rowing stroke. Useful for fitness and technique work, but not the same as being on the water.
- Coxswain (cox) — the person who steers, calls the race plan and coordinates the crew. UNSWRC lists coxes as a separate squad category, so it is a role you can take on without necessarily rowing.
How club entry usually works
Most clubs, including UNSWRC, organise members into squads rather than one general group. UNSWRC's squad structure includes:
| Squad | Who it suits |
|---|---|
| Learn to Row | Complete beginners with no experience |
| Novice | Rowers in their first season of racing |
| Senior | Experienced, competitive rowers |
| Masters Women / Masters Men | Older rowers, typically past student age |
| Coxes | Anyone interested in steering and coordinating crews |
The practical path for a beginner is: Learn to Row → Novice → Senior (if you keep going). Membership categories at UNSWRC cover students, masters and community members, so you do not have to be a university student to be involved.
Steps to get started
- Find the club's location. UNSWRC is at Waruda Place, Huntleys Cove NSW 2111, accessible via the right-hand driveway at the end of Waruda Place. Use the club's "Get Directions" link if you are visiting.
- Check the Learn to Row page. This is where beginners normally sign up. It tells you what the course covers and when it runs.
- Review membership and FAQ pages. These explain fees, categories and what is expected of members. UNSWRC's site has separate Membership, FAQ and Policies sections.
- Contact the club. The site's Contact page is the route for questions about intake dates, what to bring and whether you need any prior fitness.
- Show up and try it. The club's own call to action is "Try Rowing Today" — beginners are expected to arrive with no experience.
What to expect as a beginner
- Equipment is usually provided for Learn to Row courses. You generally do not need to buy a boat or oars to start.
- Safety and water skills come first. Clubs typically cover capsize drills, boat handling and water safety before or during early sessions.
- Fitness builds over time. Ergs and land training are common alongside water sessions, especially in winter.
- Coxing is an alternative entry. If rowing itself does not appeal, the cox role gets you on the water in a different capacity.
Checking a club before you commit
Because fees, intake dates and course details change, verify them directly rather than relying on a general description. For UNSWRC specifically, the useful pages are Learn to Row, Membership, FAQ and Contact. For any other club, look for the same four things: a beginner course, a novice pathway, a clear membership category that fits you, and a published location you can actually get to.