benefits of rowing

The benefits of rowing are endless! Whether for recreation or competitive sport, rowing provides something for everyone.

 

strengthen your body:

• Rowing  helps maintain good balance and keeps primary muscles from overdeveloping relative to their opposing ones (a leading cause of injury).
  
• Rowing exercises your muscles and joints beyond their normal range of motion, improving balance and flexibility.
  
• Tones and conditions the entire body. Strengthen your legs, glutes, abdominals, back, chest, and arm muscles.
  
• The fluid rowing stroke is a no-impact exercise that causes less wear and tear on the body than other sports.
•  Perfect exercise during the recovery period from injuries.

 

 

 

strengthen your mind:

The environment on the Lady Bird Lake is the first step in overcoming any day’s stresses. In rowing, there is remarkable satisfaction feeling the wind race by, seeing the water rush under, and knowing that you created the power behind it all.  Concentrating on the stroke while maintaining a steady rhythm will allow you to leave frustrations behind. Rowing is a thinker’s sport. It takes concentration and focus while promoting strength, and endurance all in a serene setting. This balance is what keeps rowers coming back. Veteran rowers can attest, that even after decades of rowing, they still focus on achieving their perfect stroke.

 

 

who can row?

Whether you learn to row at 15 or 75, you are in great shape or would like to shed a few pounds, you work an eight-hour day or you have a flexible schedule, you can learn to row right here in Downtown Austin!  Rowing Dock has a variety of methods to teach rowing, so that we may compliment each individual student’s learning style to the best of our ability. Rowing Dock coaches are trained and certified on a variety of different rowing machines so that we may teach proper rowing technique.

• Adults looking for fitness and recreation. We know that people come to rowing for different reasons.
  
• Cross-trainers
  
• Ex-professional/collegiate athletes
  
• Those getting back in shape
• Outdoor enthusiasts
• Runners
• Cyclists
• Kayakers/Canoers
  

We encourage our members to use rowing as they see fit, whether as a form of meditation, relaxation, or for racing in regattas, everyone is welcome at Rowing Dock.

why rowing dock?

 

Step-By-Step Learning:

At Rowing Dock, new rowers are taught proper rowing technique from the start. 

A beginner rower at Rowing Dock will learn the fundamentals of rowing, stroke technique, setting a boat rigging, and water safety. Our students use superior boats, oars, and rowing machines throughout their training. New rowers progress step-by-step, gradually from a rowing machine to the dock trainer to recreational single sculls.

 

World-Class Rowing Boats and Equipment:

Even our beginner boats, or “recreational singles,” are made with Olympic-class rigging. Our intermediate level boats are Maas® club racers. These boats are stiff, stable, and much lighter than our recreational single, allowing rowers more run on the boat for each stroke. Our Olympic-class Hudson singles, doubles and quads are super lightweight, built for speed and zip through the water with ease. These boats are made with carbon fiber and a honeycomb hull and are available to all members.

Our Concept2® rowing machines, affectionately called “ergs,” are arguably the best in the business. Collegiate rowers, Olympic hopefuls and non-competitive rowers from all over the world train on Concept2 ergs. Our oars are lightweight carbon fiber with specialized blades made by Concept2 and Dreher®.

Even our dock is unique. The planks are made from recycled plastic bags and cedar chips to form a composite material that does not splinter and is slip-resistant, even when wet. We designed the lower dock to be exactly 4 inches off the water to allow for easy docking. Our broad, blue canopy blocks out lots of the damaging sunrays and keeps rowers and boats protected from the summer heat. You’ll find little things that make a big difference at Rowing Dock.

 

why austin?

Lady Bird Lake is quintessential rowing water. Rowers from all over the world agree that Austin is an amazing place to row. Lady Bird Lake is practically made for rowing.

 

• The lake is dammed, so there is very little current.
• Centrally located, you are never far from the water.
• There are no motor boats (except for coaching launches and safety boats) to cause wakes and noise.
• Lady Bird Lake is long; there are 6.5 miles of flat water to row.
• Austin’s mild weather permits rowing year-round. Many rowers think winter is actually the best time to get on the water.
• Beyond the practical reasons, rowers can also enjoy all of Lady Bird Lake’s scenic benefits, from the cliffs toward Red Bud Island to Austin’s skyline.
• The Hike and Bike Trail is great for cross-training.
  

 

free monthly introduction to rowing

Many Austinites enjoy an active lifestyle, spending much of their free time on the Hike and Bike Trail and the shores of Lady Bird Lake. Perhaps you are one of the many passers-by who have watched the rowers glide effortlessly through the water? Once a month we offer our free “Splash of Rowing” class to give the curious a chance to try it out. Check the events calendar for the next class date. Call 512.689.5774 or email coach@rowingdock.com for any questions or to sign up. There is limited space for this class, so sign up early.

If you would like to schedule an introduction to rowing class for your group, contact us at coach@rowingdock.com

 

free exercise classes on the rowing machines

The schedule for this class varies from month to month, check our events calendar for dates!

Working out on the rowing machines provides a total-body exercise similar to spinning. Our coaches will teach you the fundamentals of rowing, and then lead you through an aerobic workout. Our Concept II® rowing machines lined up on the dock allow you to enjoy a great view of Lady Bird Lake while you burn calories and build muscle. These workouts are guaranteed to get both athletes and couch potatoes closer to their target body type. Classes are always free and open to the public. Wear comfortable athletic clothing, including socks and closed toe shoes. We recommend you bring water. We sell water for $1 or Gatorade for $2.