Project Awesome

Project Oarsome started in May with groups from local Schools coming for taster sessions : Thomas Magnus, Toothill and Southwell Minster

2006 Time table for local Schools

Welcome to the Art of Sculling

Although we're called a Rowing Club, all Juniors will be taught to scull i.e. use two blades rather than one blade which is rowing. Juniors are not allowed to row at Newark until they are senior elite juniors (aged 17+) due to the strain it puts on their physique which could cause permanent damage. But as any good rower will tell you, if you are a good sculler then you will find it easier to learn to row.

Some Training pages to help you get started but they are incomplete at present

It may be the Summer hols but rowing doesn't stop!

Summer Sculling

Course Overview

Firstly let me emphasise safety and enjoyment.

We start from the basics of the sport and build up your knowledge and confidence slowly. You will not be forced to do anything you are not comfortable with or ready for. We want to build your confidence so that you are able to push yourself that bit further.

You will need to be familiar with terminology, your environment and the equipment before you even get in a boat (which is an art in itself!) so the first session will be based on touring the facilities and looking at the boats and blades and having a discussion on safety.

Continually repeating the basics in every session will soon get you on the water in no time at all. Don't think that because you've been taught the correct way to get in a boat during one session that you don't have to bother doing it that way during the next session. Believe me, one of the quickest ways to get wet is forgetting how to get in your boat correctly...............

......So, you've got in the boat - now what?
Let's push that training boat to its' limits! See what you can do to tip it over. For the first session we'll keep you attached to the bank with a rope to stop you drifting off without the skills to get back.

Heard of rigger-dipping? Ever seen anyone standing up in a rowing boat? You will very soon 'cause you'll be demonstrating it to your friends. We'll even teach you to take your sweatshirts off whilst in the boat. There's nothing worse than setting off for a row then discovering you're too hot and too scared to take a top off for fear of falling in.

Once you've got your basic balance sorted, we'll take a few strokes, learn how to stop the boat and turn it round. We'll hold competitions to see who can spin their boat the quickest. and don't think these are futile exercises - Juniors who are on the World Class Start Programme or in G.B. trials have to do these exercises too.

Chris Goodwin learning to scull in a club junior single in June 2006

Coaching Provision

All the sessions will be run by Amateur Rowing Association qualified coaches plus an assortment of helpers who are members of Newark Rowing Club. These helpers will sometimes be Junior members who will be able to offer advice and encouragement to the new intake.

Participant Code of Conduct

Due to the nature of the sport, a high degree of behaviour and responsibility for both equipment and fellow course members will be expected at all times. Rowing is a fun sport but it demands awareness of your surroundings and respect. This can be difficult for young rowers as there can be a lot of waiting around for boats and equipment, thus leading to usual pre-adolescent high spirits. We want the youngsters to enjoy their time with us, but not at the expense of coaches having to waste time disciplining unruly participants.

With this in mind, we will make it clear from the start that bad behaviour is unacceptable. In the unlikely event that anyone does not understand this, we will introduce a one-session ban and should it continue - the participant will have to leave the course.

During June 2006, the youngsters will be developing their skills on the River Devon. Following the Peterborough J14 Regatta on June 24th, we will aim to mix the existing crews with the beginners to give them experience in an established crew boat out on the River Trent, and then we will start putting together suitable crews in each age group who will go forwards into the 2006/07 racing season & train together through the winter.