Practice Information
~Attendance at practice is more flexible and works with your schedule as we believe in a
work/life/rowing balance and do not have strict attendance policies. Come when you can from once a month to 6 days a week (additional practices are needed for the
fastest race boats)
~Practice structure is dependent upon river conditions, weather, and crew experience
~We wet launch so please be prepared to get wet up to the knees, and have a change of
clothes with you at all practice where the air temperature is below 60 degrees.
~Water bottles are required at every practice A change of clothes is required when the
temperature is below 60 degrees.
PRACTICE TIMES
Practice typically is at least on these days. Additional practices are often available with checked off team members and as part of preparation for races. No one may ever row alone. Times vary by daylight availability, but are most often as shown below.
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Monday 5:30 p.m. (land training in non-daylight savings time months)
Wednesday 5:30 advanced only
Thursday 5:30 p.m. (land training in non-daylight savings time months)
Friday 6:30 a.m. virtual yoga
Saturday 8:00 a.m.
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Practice Signup
We have a google spreadsheet to schedule practice officially. Please sign up or take your name off the list by 9 am for evening practices, or by 5 pm the night before for morning practices. This is how we make lineups, so it is super important that you keep this up to date so we don't leave others stranded with a partial boat especially in winter.
You will also see events and races on there as well.
Make sure you have also completed the rest of the membership requirements and contacted us before signing up for practice.
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E-mail List
We use groups.io for team communications. Please sign up below.
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Post: SalemRowing@groups.io
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Subscribe: SalemRowing+subscribe@groups.io
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Unsubscribe: SalemRowing+unsubscribe@groups.io
Email SalemRowing@gmail.com or click the link at the top to get started right away!
Practice is for experienced rowers only. Newbies check out the learn to row info (click here).
Membership Payment Options
Use promo code CHECK to pay by check at the boathouse and save processing fees (annual memberships only)
Membership Requirements
All new team members must complete the following before joining:
> Pass a swim test (100 meters swim & 15 minutes treading water) Swim Test Form
>Pass an erg test (1000 meters in less than 6 minutes) and weigh less than 250 lbs.
> Fill out and sign the (please e-mail it instead of mail) SRC membership form and waiver
All new team members must complete the following within 3 practices:
> Become a member of US Rowing Basic Membership ~$25 (be sure to list your club as Salem Rowing Club code NAQD6)
> Sign the annual US Rowing waiver
>Review and sign the policies and proceedures manual (It is being written, will be completed soon)
> Complete a learn to row class series with us or elsewhere, or have previous rowing
experience
Click Here for more info on our Learn to Row Class
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Try it out before you join!
Want to check it out, but don't want to commit to a year membership? New members with previous rowing experience may try it out 3 times before paying membership dues as a guest rower. Waivers and swim tests are still required for liability reasons. If you are a visiting rower, please have your coach send us confirmation of passing a swim test for your home club. If you are new to rowing, Learn to Row is a reduced rate from the membership dues as well to determine if you will like it, but still cover the instructor's time and equipment.
We're a little different in a good way!
~We offer several different affordable membership options to meet you life and budget
(see options below)
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~We practice in the evenings and on weekends, see practice schedule below
Come to practice as little or as much as you like
~Rowers range from total novice-->recreational -->master's nationals medalists
~We focus on community, friendship, skills, and competition
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~Our stretch of river is incredibly scenic wildlife viewing is a weekly occurrence
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1. Who Can Row?
We welcome any experience level from total beginners to elite athletes. Our crew is beginning to grow again, so come join us. At this time we only have a program for adults 18 and older, but are looking to add juniors in the future. We do have a weight limit of 250 pounds as that is the rating of the equipment.

Participation in Salem Rowing Club activities requires signing the US Rowing waiver online, being in good physical health, and passing a swim test before you may begin participation. Participants will be asked to pass a fitness test. It consists of rowing 1,000 meters in less than 6 minutes, before beginning learn to row lessons. Experienced rowers should be significantly faster than that.
2. Benefits
Rowing is a total body and low-impact workout. It is both aerobic and anaerobic, meaning it improves the cardiovascular system and also builds muscle strength. Most of a crews' power comes from the leg muscles as they push off the footstretchers and the upper body muscles build on that strength and send it through the oars for each stroke.
The Salem Rowing Club has a small fleet of rowing shells club members may use. We currently row in fours, doubles and singles, but look to row an eight as our club expands. We have some ergs/indoor rowing machines club members may use.
Crew is a team sport. Boats are successful when everyone rows as one. Together you learn and improve power application and bladework. Crewmates encourage each other in their goals whether it be row recreationally, stay fit, or race competitively. It is fun to practice and race with this great group of people.
3. Responsibility
SAFETY of the crew and equipment is the most important responsibility for all members of the SRC. The Willamette River is always dangerous regardless of river level. At times there will be snags, shallow areas, other watercraft, and low visibility. If a member feels unsafe they must let the others know and the crew will work together to avoid any dangers. Novice rowers may not go out on the water without an experienced rower.
The SRC is a non-profit organization run by club members. All members are expected to volunteer in the cleaning and maintainance our rowing shells and equipment. We must take good care of our small, careworn fleet and report any damage that occurs.
For races, all participating rowers must assist with the loading and unloading the trailer. Members are expected to pay membership dues and race fees in a timely manner.