Three ways to begin other than simply starting on your own are to take classes at your local health club or rowing club, to attend a rowing camp that is geared toward beginners, or to hire a trainer.

If you are not aware of rowers near you, ask a rower, check the club finder available through www.USRowing.org, look for Rowers’ Almanac, or start searching on the Web.  Googling the name of a town, river or college with the word rowing or crew will likely bring up rowing clubs in the area if there are any.  If you find one, they may have a program to teach beginners or be able to direct you to one.

If you want to use your local Y or health club and they do not have rowing machines, ask them to get some and to organize a small class.  If they have rowing machines, ask about classes or ask someone who you see using the machines for tips.

Check the web sites of the manufacturers of rowing machines for tips on finding a trainer or a rowing class.  www.concept2.com has numerous entries with information on rowing communities, training and motivation.  www.waterrower.com has links to commercial use, personal use and support programs.

Rowing camps:  You can learn to row at a number of rowing camps.  You can learn about the oldest and still very popular camp at Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont at www.craftsbury.com .  Check out www.floridarowingcenter.com near Palm Beach, www.calmwatersrowing.com in Virginia and www.blackbearsculling.com in New Hampshire.  You can find others at www.row2k.com, www.rowingnews.com and using other resources, including your local rowing club.

Trainers who specialize in rowing -- here are a few leading examples:

Victoria Draper's www.rowbics.com - go to the rowbics facilities in Long Beach or find one of the many programs around the country led by folks trained through Rowbics.

Xeno Muller's www.ironoarsman.com in Costa Mesa, CA.

Josh Crosby's www.indo-row.com in LA and NYC.

Terry Smythe in Houghton, Michigan (reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Marlene Royle at www.roylerow.com

Mayrene Earle at www.mastercoaching.com

Mike Creamer at www.anatomicallycorrect.biz in SoHo, NYC 

Iva Boteva in LA: www.LArowingcoach.com