PHOTOS: OARS hosts Learn to Row camp

Sports
Youth Sports

Since the beginning of summer, Orlando Area Rowing Society has hosted weekly Learn to Row camps aimed at helping those interested — both boys and girls entering sixth grade to rising seniors — in learning about the sport and getting their first taste of what rowing is all about.

Through the camp, newcomers get a comprehensive, fun and safe introduction to the water. With multiple coaches and experienced rowers mixing into each boat, not only do campers get hands-on coaching in every aspect of the sport, but they also get to see an example of proper technique right in front of them as they row together.

By the end of each session of the camp — which runs from Monday to Friday — most groups of campers have developed enough to get a few mini-races in to get a sense of what rowing competitively is like.

With four sessions remaining in the summer, prospective rowers still have time to get in a boat and start their rowing journey with OARS.

OARS Learn to Row Camps

What to know: Campers go through safety classes before and while in the boats. Coaches are always present with campers while on the water. Life jackets are available for those who would like one and those who cannot swim can still participate in the camp, as it is not a requirement for rowing. Campers learn on boats that are extremely difficult to tip over. Also note, that though rowing is a physically demanding sport — other than being able to withstand some of the Florida heat — the camp welcomes those of all athletic profiles and approaches teaching the sport in a non-physically demanding manner.

SESSIONS: July 8-12 | July 15-19 | July 22-26 | July 29 to Aug. 2
WHEN: 8 to 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: 2457 Maguire Road, Windermere
COST: $175 per session
MORE: OARSRowing.com/summer

author

Sam Albuquerque

A native of João Pessoa, Brazil, Sam Albuquerque moved in 1997 to Central Florida as a kid. After earning a communications degree in 2016 from the University of Central Florida, he started his career covering sports as a producer for a local radio station, ESPN 580 Orlando. He went on to earn a master’s degree in editorial journalism from Northwestern University, before moving to South Carolina to cover local sports for the USA Today Network’s Spartanburg Herald-Journal. When he’s not working, you can find him spending time with his lovely wife, Sarah, newborn son, Noah, and dog named Skulí.