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Learn2Row - Participant Feedback - Reserve a Place - ARA Registration - Risk Assessment - Useful Information

Learn2Row    19th April - 10th May  2008

- fully booked!

Learn2Row course 19th April - 10th May
If you're interested in a future course please Contact Us

Goring Gap Boat Club is proud to be one of the few rowing clubs in the country to hold
Amateur Rowing Association accreditation as a Learn to Row centre
The GGBC adult Learn2Row course is the ideal opportunity to get some expert instruction on the basics of sweep oar rowing (one oar, both hands). It's aimed at complete beginners and novices who want to learn the basics in a controlled and welcoming environment.

GGBC has always had an enviable reputation for encouraging newcomers to 'give it a go' - this course provides a more structured approach (following the ARA L2R guidelines) to get to grips with the basics and having fun on the river.

The course will fast track beginners over a series of intensive sessions from the basic techniques using ergometers and restricted fours through to rowing a super fast eight.

  • Course feedback and coaching - Throughout the course an experienced coach will be on hand to provide expert advice and guidance from the vantage point of the club's safety / coaching launch. In addition a L2R webpage will be online (click here for an example) with still and video footage of your outings....one of the best ways to get feedback and invaluable coaching advice. You'll be surprised how much you rowing improves over the course....you'll have the pictures to prove it!
     
  • Who can attend - L2R is an adult only course (18+). You don't need to be super fit to join....technique is the key at this stage, but you must be able to swim at least 50m in light clothing for safety reasons....highly unlikely you'll have to put this into practice.
     
  • How many participants - To ensure everyone gets the most from the course numbers are strictly limited to just 12 people.
     
  • What to wear - a layered approach is always best given the vagaries of the British weather. Tight fitting tops and leggings are best to prevent clothing becoming entangled. A light waterproof is also handy and a hat. Don't wear anything too precious.....or white! See the GGBC kit page
    and the ARA guidelines
     
  • Course Fee - including GGBC membership is just - £90. A non-returnable deposit of £45 secures a place with the balance being payable at the first session.

The course will be run from the Oratory boathouse

Course structure
  • Introductory session 1
    Saturday 19th April -10am - 12:30pm
    Here we give an outline of the course, a quick tour of the facilities, a chance to meet the coaches and learn a little about what GGBC has to offer. You'll receive an electronic copy of the L2R handbook giving full course details and objectives - an ideal reference for all the new terms and phrases. You'll also receive the GGBC members handbook which provide full details of the club's safety policy, rules, contacts etc. There will be a short safety video and instruction on boat handling. Please don't forget your sports kit as we'll aim to take to the river for a quick outing..
     
  • Sessions 2-6
    Wed 23rd April - evening 7-9pm     (flexible) a trip to the indoor rowing tank at Oxford....a great way to concentrate on stroke technique and timing in a controlled environment.

    26th & 30th April, 3rd & 7th May
    Saturday 10am - 12:30pm, Wednesday 6-8pm
    Over four intensive sessions we'll bring together some of the key objectives - technique, flexibility, co-ordination, balance and teamwork - all detailed in the handbook.

    Members of the course are also welcome to come along to the GGBC club sessions for extra practice....
     
  • Final session 7
    Sat 10th May - 10am - 12:30pm
    A fun outing to see how well you've progressed..... plus the award of the much prized L2R mug! .... and maybe a celebration BBQ and a few glasses of wine.

Post L2R - the L2R course includes membership of GGBC for the remainder of the season - March 2009. So there will be lots of opportunities to put your new found skills into practice either for a recreational row or during the intense competition of the Goring & Streatley regatta.

 

Participant Feedback
GGBC is proud of the quality of instruction that it provides during the L2R course. We are always keen to receive feedback and hone the course to even higher standards. We've yet to have a single participant drop out mid course.

At the end of the course we ask all participants to fill in a feedback questionnaire 2006, 2007 & 2007....you can see what they really thought!

Quotes from the October 2006 course:-

".......everything is brilliant - excellent course structure and notes, friendly atmosphere, pace is fine." - TS

"I thought the tank was a great way to study technique, without all the worry of balancing the boat and avoiding other hazards on the river" - FS

"I'm hugely impressed with the course organisation and commitment of volunteers, everyone is very friendly and encouraging" - SL

"The class was great. I feel like I've learned loads" - PC

Quotes from the May 2007 course:-

"The course has been fab, I've really enjoyed it and I'm sorry it's ending so soon! Thanks so much to you and all the coaches for your patience with me so far!!" - CD

"It's really difficult to make suggestions how to improve the course. I have been on countless courses for all sorts of things & this ranks as one of the most rewarding. To have progressed from a 'wobbly' 4 to stringing a few strokes together at speed in an 8 seems a great result!" - DJ

"I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying the Learn2Row course. It's hard to believe that I got in to a boat for the first time just 2 weeks ago. We seem to have covered a huge amount in such a short space of time. The course is very well structured, I think the handbook is very useful and the online feedback is great. I've noticed a lot of things on the videos that I need to put right...The atmosphere at the club is extremely welcoming and I'd like to think that I've made some new friends already." - JH

 

How to Reserve a Place
How to reserve a place - download the application form (rather official as you become a club member), and send it along with a cheque for £45 (deposit) payable to 'Goring Gap Boat Club' to the address found at the foot of the application form.

The course has proven very popular....so don't delay or you'll be disappointed!

 Confirmation of your place will be forwarded by return. If the course fails to reach the minimum number required or has to be cancelled for unforeseen reasons then you'll receive a full refund.

If you have any questions or suggestions please don't hesitate to contact us at:

L2R@goringgapbc.org.uk

 

ARA Registration
The GGBC L2R course follows the guidelines outlined by  the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA) - the UK rowing governing body. The ARA are actively encouraging people from all walks of life to try rowing - either competitively or for recreation.

The ARA have a comprehensive website with a specific section for L2R course participants . All participants are encouraged to register (it's free! - click here  - choose option 3) and take advantage of the extensive instructional material available.		 Useful ARA links:-
 

 

Risk Assessment
We all need to be aware of safety and how to conduct ourselves in a safe manner. It’s in everyone’s interests to follow a few simple guidelines, mostly just common sense, which will make everyone’s time on the river a more enjoyable and accident
free experience.

GGBC fully supports and implements the ARA Water Safety Code		 A risk assessment has been carried out for the course a copy of which can be downloaded by clicking here.

In addition there is a separate RA for the Rowing Tank - click here

If you have any concerns regarding safety please bring them to the attention of the coaches or safety advisor.

 

Useful information

How to find us
Oratory SBC



GGBC Membership
Booklet

Rowing Technique - Excellent technique is the key to fast efficient rowing. Here is a superb rowing animation showing all the key points - click here

 

....and some links to footage of top rowers in action .... the way it should be done.

Pair Rowing -
Pair Rowing -
   Eight -

Ergo -

RowPerfect -


British Rowing Technique -

The Anatomy of an Eight -

 Sequence 1
Sequence 1
Sequence 2
Sequence 1, Sequence 2
Sequence 1

British Rowing Technique
Coaching Drills

Presentation

Click Here

 

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