Getting Started

If you are an experienced rower, and 19 or older, you are welcome to join the VIRC Master’s program throughout the year, at the recreational or competitive level that suits you.

You can check us out by observing a practice from the coach’s launch or by joining a practice for a couple of complimentary rows. Email the Head Coach to set up a time. In either case you will need to sign the VIRC Waiver form, which you can download here. For a guest row, you will need this form as well.

To join the Club as a Master rower:

• Fill out a VIRC Membership Application.

• Pass a float test and have the lifeguard sign this form.

• Be a current Individual member of US Rowing and sign their waiver (required by our insurance). To compete in a regatta, choose the Basic Plus or Championship level. You’ll be asked for your Club’s code number; VIRC’s is 9S7ZB.

• Complete US Rowing’s required free 30-minute online SafeSport training program. More information here.

• Complete a VIRC Medical Form available here.

• If you want to take out a boat without a safety launch, demonstrate you can get back into a flipped single.

• Join the Club by paying the annual membership fee and buying one or more seasons of rowing.

Please email your completed forms to info@vashoncrew.com. One of the team Captains will contact you to welcome you and answer your questions.

Three key differences from other places you may have rowed:

• We launch our boats from the beach rather than a floating dock, so wear water shoes such as Crocs or Tevas with wool or neoprene socks.

• All members volunteer to help with maintenance, administration and/or fundraising.

• Many of us get together outside of rowing quite a bit. If you want, you can plug into a network of friendly people.

If you are new to sports, check with your doctor about starting a basic conditioning program, perhaps with guidance from a personal trainer.

Rowing will improve your strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination. To the extent that you already have a base in these attributes, your initial experience with rowing will be more enjoyable and you will be able to focus more on learning the technique. Grit and determination will make up for a certain amount of conditioning, though, so if you’re not sure you’re ready for rowing, come observe a practice and talk with the coach and some of the rowers.

You may find that exercising on a rowing machine — with guidance on your technique so you don’t ingrain bad habits — will be a good way for you to get started in rowing.

One benchmark: we need to hoist our share of a rowing shell’s weight over our head (27 - 34 lbs, depending on the type of boat), rest it on one shoulder, walk 75 yards with it to the beach, and lower it into the water — and then reverse the process after the row.

Masters Year-Round Practices

VIRC men and women practice together in the mornings except Sundays, although most members do not show up every day.

Masters practice times vary in response to changes in the weather and light during the year, the number and preferences of active members, and the availability of coaches. There is often an early session (e.g., 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM) and a later session (8:00 AM – 10:00 AM).

Wind or fog can shift on-the-water sessions from Jensen Point to the Indoor Training Center (ITC) or cancel them.

Masters Regattas

In a typical year, VIRC Masters attend five or six regattas, some as a full team and others as select boats. Regattas are optional for individual members and involve additional costs for each participant’s share of regatta registration, boat transport, and coach fees. For regattas outside the Seattle area, your own transportation, food and lodging will add to your cost.

• Green Lake Spring Regatta. March; Seattle.

• Burton Beach Invitational. March; Jensen Pt., Vashon.

• Husky Open. March; Seattle.

• Covered Bridge. April; Eugene.

• Opening Day. May; Seattle.

• Occasional scrimmages with other local Clubs. May and June.

• Northwest Masters Regional Championships. June; Vancouver, WA. 3 days/2 nights.

• Green Lake Summer Extravaganza. August; Seattle.

• Otter Island Touring Regatta. September; Everett.

• Guano Rocks. September; Wenatchee.

• Tail of the Lake. September; Seattle.

• American Lake Fall Classic. October; Lakewood.

• Head of the Charles. October; Boston.

• Head/Tail of the Gorge. October; Victoria. 2 days/2 nights.

• Head of the Lake. November; Seattle.

Guest Rower Options

VIRC welcomes guest rowers by appointment at the Boathouse or the Indoor Training Center. Please email info@vashoncrew.com so we can know to expect you. You will need to complete a Guest Information Form and have a VIRC Waiver on file before using Club equipment. Check in with the Coach at the Boathouse or visit the Indoor Training Center with a VIRC Member. There is no fee for guests, but a modest donation is always appreciated.

Volunteering

The Club relies on help from its members to maintain its equipment and facilities and administer its operations. In addition, all members are expected to volunteer support for the Club’s annual fundraiser, the Passport2Pain bike ride, which is held on the Island on the second Saturday in September after much planning and preparation.

Club members also volunteer as a team to help other community organizations by serving food and cleaning up at their fundraising events, often in return for a donation to the Club.

Clothing

Appropriate clothing is the key to exercising comfortably on the water. Especially in winter, you will want layers that you can peel off as you warm up.  Avoid cotton clothing. You can purchase rowing gear through our Team Store which opens for orders twice a year. All upper-body outer layers and hat should be of high-visibility material.

• Polypropylene or performance wool shirts

• Water-resistant windbreaker

• Fleece hat

• Spandex shorts or leggings; windbreaker pants

• Wool or neoprene socks when it’s cold, polypropylene or even cotton when it’s warm

• Water shoes for water launching (but not flip-flops; they stick in the mud).

Singles Storage

We have a limited number of spaces in the Boathouse for privately owned single shells. If you are interested in being added to the waiting list for a spot, please use the form on the Contact page.