Enjoy the sunshine and water this summer and let ORU introduce you to the wonderful world of rowing! Two-week camp sessions are available from July through August. This camp is designed to give students with no prior rowing experience an opportunity to determine if rowing is a good fit and to prepare them to join ORU’s Junior Rowing Team (with the Coach’s approval) in the Fall.

Prerequisites

Safety is our number one priority. Due to the unique demands of the sport of rowing and ORU’s summer coaching and program structure, prospective students must possess general fitness and meet the following prerequisites in order to participate in the camp:

• Be at least 12 years old

• Weigh no more than 210 lbs: This is the maximum weight-limit of the current ORU rowing shell inventory.

• Stand at least 5'3" tall and be able to lift 25 lbs overhead: The participants of each rowing shell will work together to lift their boat into and out of the water and will carry it on their shoulders to and from the dock

• Be able to get in and out of the rowing shells under their own power.

• Arrange and successfully complete a Swim and Float Test: or provide recognized documentation of swimming ability, such as a Red Cross Water Safety Card or Lifeguard Certification. This requirement must be satisfied prior to the first day of the LTR camp session.

• Swimming test:

  Float Test's can take place at Portland pools (this includes Sellwood, which is closest to the boat house).

  The rower can take the form to a lifeguard or swimming instructor and ask them to administer the float test. You will need to pay the admission fee for the pool to access the water/pool deck. Please call the pool beforehand. 

  Locations: 
  Creston Outdoor Pool (503) 823-3672
  Grant Outdoor Pool (503) 823-3674
  Ida B. Wells-Barnett Outdoor Pool (503) 823-3680

  Montavilla Outdoor Pool (503) 823-4101
  Peninsula Outdoor Pool (503) 823-3677
  Pier Outdoor Pool (503) 823-3678
  Sellwood Outdoor Pool (503) 823-3679
  East Portland Indoor Pool (503) 823-3450
  Matt Dishman Indoor Pool (503) 823-3673
  Mt. Scott Indoor Pool (503) 823-3183
  Southwest Indoor Pool (503) 823-2840
  

• ORU is not currently equipped to offer Adaptive Rowing. Adaptive Rowing is defined by USRowing as the sport of sweep rowing or sculling for people with physical or intellectual impairments, including but not limited to Autism, limb amputation, joint limitations, blindness, visual impairment, paraplegia, quadriplegia, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Adaptive Rowers require modifications to the rowing equipment, coaching, and rowing program structure to allow for maximum functionality of the rowing stroke. For more information on Adaptive Rowing, including a list of clubs in the US that offer Adaptive Rowing, please click HERE.  

Camp Session Overview

All Learn to Row sessions are held at the Oaks Park Community Boathouse. Classes are held on M-W-F, from 8:30-11:00 AM.

The cost to attend is $175/session

Session #1: Jul 1-12, 2024
Session #2: Jul 15-26, 2024
Session #3: Jul 29-Aug 9, 2024
Session #4: Aug 12-23, 2024

Students will begin their session by learning water and boat safety, rowing terminology, the parts of the boat, and how to carry the boat to and from the dock. They will also learn the mechanics of the rowing stroke, including proper rowing form and sequence. Instruction begins first on land through the use of ergometers (indoor rowing machines), and then moves to the water (Willamette River), where students will learn how to safely get in and out of a shell, how to properly hold their oars, and the basic techniques of sculling. Along with gaining fitness and strength, students will enjoy team camaraderie!

Registration & Payment Instructions

Camp registration is not guaranteed until all required forms are completed and returned to the Coach on the first day of camp. We strongly encourage registrants and their parents to review the Learn the Row camp prerequisites stated above, as well as all required forms (especially the Swim & Float Test requirement), BEFORE making payment through Regatta Central. 

Cancellation Policy

Our cancellation policy is designed to accommodate our participants' needs while ensuring the smooth operation of our sessions. For cancellations or session switches, a full refund or the option to switch to another session is available up to the day before the session begins. Once a session has commenced, we kindly ask participants to reach out directly to their coach to discuss any cancellations or changes. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to this policy to provide the best experience for all participants.

What to Wear/Bring

• Wear comfortable and relatively close-fitting workout clothes (shorts, t-shirt, socks and athletic shoes). Avoid cotton fabrics, as well as flowy or billowy apparel that can get caught in the oar handles and the sliding seats of the indoor rowing machine and rowing shell.

• Water bottle

• Hat or Visor

• Sunscreen