Minnesota Boat Club   Rowing in St. Paul since 1870

Adult Learn to Row/Scull Classes  

The Minnesota Boat Club offers two types of classes - Learn to Row classes out of the MBC boathouse on the Mississippi River and Learn to Scull classes at Lake Phalen.  See below for class descriptions.

2013 Classes

Learn to Row

Learn to Row classes teach sweep rowing, which is a team sport where each rower has one oar. This class will introduce you to rowing technique, terminology and equipment, and engage you in an exercise that uses all of your major muscle groups. Students begin learning on an indoor rowing machine, then move to a rowing training-barge out on the mighty Mississippi River. Our instructors are experienced rowers who will guide you through each step.

Each Learn To Row session consists of 6 classes over 2 weeks.  Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon.  Meet at the Minnesota Boat Club, on Raspberry Island (under the Wabasha Street bridge) in St Paul.

We planned to offer 5 Learn to Row sessions in 2013:

  • Session I:
         Cancelled due to the late spring.
  • Session II:  May 28, 30, June 1, 4, 6, 8.
         Class filled; waiting list only.
  • Session III:  June 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29.
         Class filled; waiting list only.
  • Session IV:  July 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27.
         Class filled; waiting list only.
  • Session V:  August 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17.

        To register, click HERE.

After completing a Learn to Row session, you will have enough basic skill to row at the Novice level.  We invite you to row with our Novice Team for the following two weeks, at no additional charge.  You will receive more details from the coach of your session.

Learn to Scull

Learn to Scull classes teach sculling, where each person has two oars.  An experienced MBC instructor will teach you the basics of rowing in a one-person recreational sculling shell.  The course will introduce you to the rowing stroke, water safety, rowing terms, and equipment care and handling. 

Each Learn to Scull session consists of five, two hour classes over 2 weeks.  We have some day classes, which meet 10 a.m. - noon, and some evening classes, 6 - 8 p.m.  

The first class of each session is held at the Minnesota Boat Club, on Raspberry Island (under the Wabasha Street bridge) in St. Paul.  This will give you a chance to learn the basics of the rowing stroke on our indoor rowing machines.  The rest of the classes are conducted on Lake Phalen, in St Paul.  Directions to the Beach House on the south end of Lake Phalen will be available at the first class.

We are offering 5 Learn to Scull sessions in 2013:

  • Session A (10 - noon):  May 21(T), 23(Th), 24(F), 28(T), 30(Th).
         Class in progress.
  • Session B (6 - 8 p.m.):  May 20(M), 22(W), 24(F), 28(T), 29(W).
         Class in progress.
  • Session C (10 - noon):  June 3(M), 5(W), 7(F), 10(M), 12(W).
     
  • Session D (6 -8 p.m.):  June 10(M), 12(W), 14(F), 17(M), 19(W).
         Class filled; waiting list only.
  • Session E (6 - 8 p.m.):  July 22(M), 24(W), 26(F), 29(M), 31(W).

        To register, click HERE.

After completing a Learn to Scull session, you will not be ready to safely take a single on the Mississippi River.  You will have the basic skills needed to row at the Novice level.  We invite you to row with our Novice Team for the following two weeks, at no additional charge.  The Novice team mostly rows, but they do also scull.  You will receive more details from the coach of your session.

General Information

Requirements

Students must be able to swim and/or tread water for 15 minutes.

Students must be at least 14 years old.  (13 - 18 year olds, consider our one-day High School Learn To Row Classes.)

Class Size

Each session will have 8 to 12 students and 1 or 2 instructors.

Course Fee

The course fee for each Learn To Row or Learn to Scull session is $195.

Confirmation

After you register for a session someone will contact you via email, usually within 1 business day, to confirm your spot.

Waiting List

If the session you wanted to take is full, you can register and be placed on the waiting list.  If a space opens up, we will contact you to confirm your interest BEFORE you are charged anything or placed in the class.

Weather

Rowing is a weather-dependant sport, but classes will be held rain or shine, with as much time as possible spent in boats.

Make-Up Classes

Because this is a team sport, we can not offer make-up classes for individuals.  Please choose a session that allows you to attend and participate in all the classes!

Refund Policy

You can receive a full refund if you cancel your enrollment more than two weeks prior to your session. You will receive a 50 percent refund ($98) if you cancel 8 to 14 days before the start of your session. No refund will be given if you cancel during the week before you session.

Contact us

f you have any questions, please contact the School of Rowing coordinator Kerry at learntorow@boatclub.org.