Rowing and Sculling

What boosts strength, teamwork and community spirit? What’s a fabulous way to improve your fitness, and your bond with nature? It’s rowing - and this could be your year to finally make it to the Genesee River and the Erie Canal! Join the hundreds of adults, high school and college students who rowed with Genesee Waterways Center!  

GWC teaches both a variety of rowing and sculling programs.  Beginner, recreational, racing and competitive rowing courses are offered along with a winter indoor training program.  Participants are encouraged to participate in regattas each fall to test their new skills.

The Rowing Progression

The rowing programs at GWC are setup to lead you through a natural skill progression. 

Indoor Rowing (Nov-April)
Our indoor rowing courses take place at the Pittsford Indoor Rowing Center in specially designed tanks that give you the feel of rowing on the water.  The water circulates through the tanks, providing current against which you row! This is a great way to learn the basic skills and improving your rowing technique while having the stability of being seated on land. These are great sessions for both novice and experienced rowers, as they provide a great workout during the winter months!
 
Learn-To-Row
This course is designed for novice rowers and focuses on teaching the basics of rowing on the water in 8-person shells.  You will row on the Genesee River and Erie Canal right from our boathouse in Genesee Valley Park.  Rowing is a great workout and participants enjoy the camaraderie of working together to accomplish the same goal. 
 
Recreational Rowing
For individuals who have prior on-the-water rowing experience, this course enables you to continue building on your rowing technique and enjoy being on the water during the spring, summer, and fall months.  A certified instructor helps you refine your skills but leaves room for the pure enjoyment of rowing with your teammates.  Four- and eight-person shells are used for this program.  Rowers have the option to compete in various regattas.

Intermediate Competitive Rowing
For those individuals who have a year or more of experience and/or who have rowed in recreation row and have a desire to become more competitive.  The decision to accept a rower into the intermediate competitive program rests solely at the competitive coaches’ discretion.  Rowers have the option to compete in various regattas.  The program is open to both men and women.

Competitive/Masters Rowing
The Competitive Program is intended for adult competitive rowers with a strong desire to race.  Individuals 27 years of age or older train and compete in various regattas throughout the summer.  The instructors at the GWC have provided a high level of coaching to the dedicated and talented rowers and scullers in our club, leading to the success of many of our teams in recent years.  The decision to accept a rower into the intermediate competitive program rests solely at the competitive coaches’ discretion.  The program is open to both men and women. The Competitive Team has a strong emphasis on fitness and technical improvement.