Learn to row

PTRC is well known for its regular and successful learn to row courses. In the last five years, we have introduced over 200 people to rowing through our popular learn to row courses with many rowers transitioning to senior crews.

We provide a safe and enjoyable environment for complete beginners to experience the wonderful sport of rowing. All beginners become members of the Club and benefit from regular social events and free use of the facilities, including indoor rowing machines and a well-equipped weights gym.

Women – starting September 2011

Are you interested in rowing competitively?

Putney Town is running its very popular rowing beginners’ course starting September 14, 2011. This course is aimed at women who are interested in competitive rowing and following a regular training programme after completing the beginners’ course.

Due to high demand, there will be two open days at the Putney Town club house when we will capture interest in the course :

September 4th 2011 at 5pm
September 6th 2011 at 7.30pm.

During these 1-hour long sessions we welcome everybody who is interested in participating during the course. There will be information about the course programme, opportunities to ask questions to current members of the club and a short test on the rowing machine. Please bring trainers and training clothes. Participants will be informed during the following week if they have been accepted to the course. If you haven’t already, please register your interest in the course using this online form.

About the Beginners Course

The beginners’ rowing course at Putney Town is running over 6 weeks and the cost is £100. The course aims at bringing the participants from complete beginner level to the status of novice. This means that when you finish the course, you will:

Have the ability to handle rowing equipment (boats, blades, riggers, rowing machines)
Master the basics of rowing technique on the water and on rowing machines
Have started a programme aimed at improving your fitness

Following the course, participants can choose to terminate the membership with Putney Town Rowing Club or continue as part of a women’s development squad within the Club. The course is a mix of mid-week evening training sessions in a tank environment (starting September 14) and water-based sessions on Saturday afternoons (starting September 17).

Further information

The experiences of one participant from a previous female learn to row course.
More information about about rowing is available on the British Rowing website.
You can also read more information about the Women’s squad at Putney Town on the Women’s Squad page.

Men

The latest course was for 24 men who started in the middle of May 2011. Another course for Men will take place next year - if you wish to be informed of this nearer the time, please complete this form.

Returning novices

If you are wanting to return to rowing after a break or have completed a learn to row course / 3 months rowing somewhere else, then you would fit in well with Putney Town’s recent beginners course graduates. Follow this link for more information about the novice groups.

FAQs:

Most people have lots of questions about our rowing courses. We normally answer the questions on our open days, however…

Do I have to be able to swim?
Yes: in order to be able to become a club member you have to sign to say that you can swim 100m in light clothing. Don’t panic however, it is VERY rare for larger boats to ever capsize, and has never happened on our beginner courses in the past.

What do I need to wear?
This will be explained before the course starts properly, but clothing that you can exercise in, and that you don’t mind getting wet is key. For land based activities, normal gym wear is fine.

Do I need to be fit?
It certainly helps, but you will get fit as part of the course. However the main obstacle to being a good novice rower is technique rather than fitness

Where are you?
Although Putney Town was founded in Putney (in the Dukes Head Pub), we are now based in Mortlake. Our members come from all over London, although most members live in West London

Does it matter if I can’t make every session?
Making every session is not essential, but missing water sessions will slow down your progress. Ultimately, rowing is one of the ultimate team sports and we need to get the right number of people in the boats. Preference on the course will be given to those without availability issues.

I am pretty competitive and am looking for a new sport that will get me fit, and will allow me to compete? Will I fit in?
Yes. Rowing is a very competitive sport, and we look to compete as much as possible. If you are keen and get on well, you can progress through the different squads to the top boats all within a season. Half our 2009 Men’s Henley 8 learnt to row at Putney Town on one of our Learn to Row courses.