Topics
Getting Started with FVRA
Throughout the summer FVRA holds monthly sweep (rowers with a single oar) learn to row programs on the water.
There is also the option to join our indoor learn to row at Trinity College in Hartford over the winter months where you will learn to row in an indoor rowing tank that simulates the experience of sitting in a boat with your oar in the water.
If you would like to learn how to row in a single scull, or individual person boat, a lesson can be set up with one of our coaches to get you moving in a “tub” single, a wide boat for learning without having to worry about balance.
All of these programs and more details will be listed on our Lessons & Programs page. After you have reviewed all of the available options you can email info@fvra.org for any additional questions.
Rowing is a sport that can be learned at any age! FVRA is a masters rowing club so we focus on rowers post college to retirees. Head of the Charles a rowing race held in the fall in Boston had 2 dozen octogenarians (80+!) participating in their open eight category in 2023!
You don’t need to have prior experience in a boat or have used a rowing machine. If you have the basic flexibility to stand up and sit down, and are able to swim, we will work with you to learn the basics of the stroke, maneuver equipment both individually and as a group and grow your confidence both in and out of the boat. It has been a life changing experience for so many of our rowers and we would love to have you join! Check out the HOC Octogenarian eights here, https://hocr.org/news/octogenarians-rule/ or this great feature in the Harvard Gazette https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/10/alum-to-steer-octogenarian-crew-at-head-of-the-charles/
The great thing about rowing is its a learned skill for life. It is amazing how quickly people who ask this question are able to get back in a boat and start rowing as if they were just in a boat yesterday. While many people rowed previously with competitive programs in college or high school, its good to let yourself ease back into the motion and wake those muscles back up. We’re happy to get you back on the water in whatever way is best for you! That could be learning to scull and rowing recreationally a few mornings a week, joining a recreational sweep group throughout the summer or getting yourself back in a racing boat.
FVRA is a masters rowing club so we focus on rowers post college to retirees. However, we have had many youth rowers participate in our learn to row programs over the winter, join a learn to row in the summer, keep themselves moving through recreational rowing programs and learn to scull.
We currently don’t offer any youth racing programs but highly recommend Riverfront Recapture Youth Rowing held at the Riverfront Recapture boathouse on the Connecticut River in Hartford. Visit their website to learn more about their youth racing team opportunities, https://riverfront.org/youthrowing/
Registration & Waivers
The best way to know when registration opens for all of our programming, to learn about upcoming events and club updates is to sign up for our Monthly FVRA Newsletter.
To participate in any FVRA program the following must be complete,
- Full program registration submission through our registration provider RegattaCentral
- Completed waiver through USRowing
- Program fee payment through RegattaCentral or by check made out to FVRA and mailed to, 542 Hopmeadow Street PMB 101, Simsbury, CT 06070
- Emergency contact sheet on file
- Specific additional prerequisites are listed on each program description
- Any sculling program will also require,
- Safety checklist evaluation by coach for use of club equipment
Visit our Sign Your Waiver page for full instructions and details on USRowing membership options.
Participation
Rowing clothes change throughout the year based on the conditions of the river when you are rowing. Your goal is to provide yourself clothes that will keep you generally comfortable and warm both on land and out on the river.
Basic rowing clothing should include,
- Spandex or pants that fit close to the skin to avoid any loose fabric getting stuck in the slides of your seat
- Non-cotton t-shirts, long sleeves and warm insulating layers
- A hat – either baseball hat with a brim in the summer and/or a beanie in the winter
- Comfortable socks – preferably not cotton for breathability and warmth
You should always make sure to incorporate high-vis or bright colors into your rowing wardrobe. Since you will be layering, having multiple bright pieces of clothing will keep you visible on the water as you adjust for changing temps and weather during your row.
Additionally make sure to have available cold and rain appropriate layers such as a rain jacket or warm water resistant vest or jacket if you are joining an early or late season program. You can always bring additional pieces of clothing with you if you are unsure of the temperature or conditions at the river.
Generally we recommend arriving 10 min before the start of the listed program time to start getting equipment ready for your time out on the water. We understand that this is not possible for everyone due to other responsibilities, travel distance and traffic. If it is possible to arrive early, that goes a long way to getting everything prepped by the start of the program as there are many moving parts when preparing to go out on the water.
We make every effort to cancel rows or practice if necessary as early as the weather forecast allows. We will not row in high wind, large waves, flood conditions, low water, thick fog, freezing temperatures, before an oncoming storm, extreme heat, unhealthy air quality due to fires or in any other conditions that would cause being out on the water to be unsafe or inhibit our ability to row comfortably.
Your coach will email and/or text participants when the determination is made no later than 2 hours before the scheduled program.
You will be asked to provide your availability before the program starts so if you cannot make certain days they can be provided on your program’s availability calendar. This will help the coach plan line-ups and get all available spots in the boat filled.
Note: “line-ups” refers to the plan of where everyone will be sitting in the boat. A boat should ideally have every seat filled when going out on the water for safety and balance when rowing.
Email or text your coach as soon as possible so the seat can be made open to a drop-in participant if time allows.
FVRA rows out of a summer camp property. We are restricted with certain facilities based on how close we are to their “in-season” time for camp – usually May – September. During this time there are bathroom facilities and changing rooms available for participant use.
During shoulder seasons there may be portable toilets available but not always guaranteed especially early in the season. It is recommended to prepare for no available facilities if you are joining any program outside of the main camp time and your coach will notify you what is or is not available if needed when your program welcome email is sent.
FVRA also has an indoor area to leave keys, bags, additional clothing or other items you may have with you while you are out on the water.