I was sorry to read T.K. Anthony’s letter about her collegiate rowing experience. Certainly, no one sport is everything for everyone, but it sounds like she found no joy in rowing at all.

At River City Rowing Club, we offer junior and adult rowing programs that I think not so much mitigate Anthony’s concerns as eliminate them. Certainly, there are times where you can’t fit everybody into the best spot for them in a boat, but by using different size boats (1, 2, 4 or 8 rower shells) and leaving some seats empty, coaches can normally put everyone in a boat for a practice.

Our programs also incorporate land-based technique, strength, nutrition and flexibility training. For our after-school junior program, our intent is to develop not just rowers, but capable young adults who understand themselves physically and mentally. We teach proper nutrition and exercise as opposed to focusing on a child’s weight or height.

For our adult programs, the majority of our participants, who come in all sizes and shapes, do practice early in the morning as Anthony remembers. Simply put, it’s the time that fits best into our family and work schedules.

Graduates of our adult Learn to Row program normally say the worst part of the class was getting up so early and the best part was being up early enough to be on the water rowing as the sun rises. And we all learn to go to bed a little (or a lot) earlier.

Our two top goals are to be safe and to have fun. If you’re not having fun doing a physical exercise, you’re in the wrong sport, and you’re probably increasing your chance of getting injured.

If you’d like a chance to try rowing, our club will be participating in National Learn to Row Day on June 2. More information about this free event will be posted soon on our website, rivercityrowing.org.

Bill Naddy

President, River City Rowing Club, West Sacramento

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