frequently asked questions


										Frequently Asked Questions

1. My Child might be interested in joining, how old does he/she need to be?

2. Are there any restrictions to joining?

3. How many children are there at the club?

4. What nights do you train?

5. How much does it cost?

6. Is my child insured in the event of an accident?

7.What happens if I join but cannot attend every session?

8. What sort of training do you do?

9. When can I start racing?

10. Do I need any special clothes?

11. Do you train in all weather?

12. Are the junior members properly supervised?

13. Are the staff qualified?

Answers to your questions

1. The normal age for joining is 12. Go to our membership page to view the fees. Any younger than this and the individual is unlikely to have the physical strength required and it would not be in their best interests to train at intensive level.

2. The only restriction is that they must be able to swim 100m in light clothing.

3. There is quite a large junior section ranging from 12 to 18 - approximately 25 members - girls and boys.

4. Training for junior boys is Tuesday and Thursday (7.00- 8.30pm) and Sunday 9.15-11.00am. For the younger junior members we don't recommend more than three sessions per week so that they do not overdo things. More talented juniors can have extra coaching at 8.00a.m. Saturday mornings with senior, experienced coaches - but this is by invitation & selection only.

5. Look at our membership page for full details.

6. All members are insured when they join the Amateur Rowing Association page for full details.

7. Both gym sessions & time on the water are extremely important, especially if you want to race. But the younger juniors are not encouraged to do more than three sessions per week.

8. Gym based training on ergo machines with fitness & stamina sessions. Water based sessions.

9. As soon as you have gained your rowing proficiency certificate and have joined the ARA. Events usually have races for beginners in restricted boats and races for novices who have progressed into a racing boat. However for the younger juniors, there are less events for which they can be entered as clubs tend to have a smaller number of, say 12 year olds. The competaition improves for 13 and 14 year olds.

10. Initially just warm sports clothing - no jeans. Look at the Godfrey website for clothing ideas and they will be able to offer help in sorting out the correct Newark kit, if that's what you want. We can also supply a long sleeved T-shirt with club logos, at a reasonable price. What aren't suitable are baggy sweatshirts or loose tracksuit bottoms.

11. The only weather that stops us are severe gales, electrical storms or if the river freezes!

12. Yes, at all times. A motor launch follows junior members on the river or, alternatively, the coaches take a rowing boat out and accompany the rowers on the river. Sometimes a coach will also follow along the tow-path on foot.

13. All junior coaches hold ARA training certificates (Tony Helliwell and Claire Parnell hold Instructors Awards and Steve Collins is qualified to bronze level) and are dedicated to ensuring that members have fun whilst learning in a safe and secure environment.