No, we do not require BCRC membership to take a LTR class. However, if at any point during or after the class you wish to row in our group rowing sessions, membership would be required.  Memberships are typically prorated and discounted for rowers that have attended a LTR class.  Once the class is complete you’ll know the basic skills and be ready to join group rowing sessions! We’d love for you to continue your involvement by joining the BCRC!

Comfortable exercise clothes, socks and a water bottle are a must. No baggy shirts, shorts or pants as these can get stuck in the equipment.  If the weather is nice, we also recommend a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. If the weather is windy or colder, it helps to have an extra layer of clothing like a wind-breaker or light long-sleeve jacket. Optional items would include a change of clothes (sometimes you can get splashed with water) and extra shoes or flip-flops.

Whether you consider yourself physically fit or not, we encourage you to try a LTR class to learn the sport and see how you like it. Rowing will challenge you both mentally and physically and fitness will improve with time.  Be aware though – rowing is rewarding and can be highly addictive!

Our classes are filled on a first-come first-served basis through our on-line website registration, so if you know you want to participate in a LTR class, we recommend signing up without too much delay. If a class is already filled, we will keep a wait list in case a boat seat opens up. If we have enough interest, we may add additional openings to the class to accommodate everyone that wants to learn.

All LTR classes are held at our boathouse on the Middlegrounds Island in Bay City (a map is available on our Contact page). LTR classes involve both indoor and outdoor training. We row on the Saginaw River, and we might travel a few miles north or south on the river while rowing. Any on-land or indoor practice will happen in, or close by, our boathouse.

Since rowing is a water sport, there is a very small possibility that the boat you are in could capsize and end up in the water. You should be able to swim 50 yards and be able to tread water for 5 minutes.  Our coaches will be in a launch boat accompanying the rowing boats and have PFDs in the event of an emergency. If you are not confident in your swimming ability we do have compact PFDs that can be worn while rowing.  Please discuss this with your coach at the first practice or before.

We understand you may have to miss one or two class sessions, and that’s fine. It will be your responsibility to let your LTR instructor know as early as possible so they can find a replacement for you on those days.  For team rowing, we need to fill the entire boat!  It might be possible for you to fill in for someone in another class to make-up for the day you missed.  We don’t recommend missing more than 1-2 class sessions, as this could delay your proficiency in learning to row.

Canceling a class is highly unlikely. We have the ability to practice both indoors and outdoors, so even if weather doesn’t allow for rowing on the river, your class will likely still practice indoors at the boathouse on rowing machines or other activities. If a class must be canceled, your LTR instructor will send an email (or text) as early as possible to let everyone know.

Our boathouse has both men’s and women’s locker rooms, and both have individual lockers that are available for temporary use at no charge. However, our boathouse is always locked while we are on the water, so many of our members leave their belongings on the benches in the locker rooms without any worry. If you’d like the use of a locker, make sure you ask when coming to your first class.