The Grateful Oars does not have a professional coach, but a number of members have years of rowing and teaching experience. Each team's row captain is able to provide basic instruction. New members with rowing experience are assigned to a regular crew that fits with their level of experience. Beginning rowers are taught the fundamentals of sweep rowing, teamwork, and boating safety through a formal Learn to Row program. A second-year "Devo" crew is available for rowers who wish to continue developing their skills in a coached setting. The club has no junior program at this time. Currently, most Grateful Oars members range from post-college age to retirees.
Oars crews row with "sweeps", which are 12' long, lightweight oars, each rowing member of the crew using one oar each. The rowers are directed by a coxswain, ("cox'n" or "cox"), who steers the boat, calls the stroke rate, and sets up the training routine for the row. The duties of coxswain are rotated among the crew on a weekly basis, that is, one's turn at coxing comes every five weeks on a regular crew. Typically, each crew is captained by one of the more experienced members of The Grateful Oars. Each beginner crew must include at least two rowers with at least one season's experience. Beginning crew members should anticipate at least one full season of rowing to reach basic proficiency.
Sculling, pairs, and doubles rowing opportunities are available to members who qualify.
Directions to the Boathouse
From SH 56 at the base of the hill in the center of Norwood, follow Spring Street ½ mile to Maple Street (AKA Lakeshore Drive). The village green playground will be on the right after the turn from SH 56. Turn south off Spring St. at the sign for Norwood Lake and Follow Maple Street/Lakeshore Drive 0.7 miles to the entrance to the village park. Rowers park along the edge of Maple Street and walk behind the large pavilion building and through the picnic area to the third bay of Clarkson University’s Greg Lewis Boathouse.
Oars crews row with "sweeps", which are 12' long, lightweight oars, each rowing member of the crew using one oar each. The rowers are directed by a coxswain, ("cox'n" or "cox"), who steers the boat, calls the stroke rate, and sets up the training routine for the row. The duties of coxswain are rotated among the crew on a weekly basis, that is, one's turn at coxing comes every five weeks on a regular crew. Typically, each crew is captained by one of the more experienced members of The Grateful Oars. Each beginner crew must include at least two rowers with at least one season's experience. Beginning crew members should anticipate at least one full season of rowing to reach basic proficiency.
Sculling, pairs, and doubles rowing opportunities are available to members who qualify.
Directions to the Boathouse
From SH 56 at the base of the hill in the center of Norwood, follow Spring Street ½ mile to Maple Street (AKA Lakeshore Drive). The village green playground will be on the right after the turn from SH 56. Turn south off Spring St. at the sign for Norwood Lake and Follow Maple Street/Lakeshore Drive 0.7 miles to the entrance to the village park. Rowers park along the edge of Maple Street and walk behind the large pavilion building and through the picnic area to the third bay of Clarkson University’s Greg Lewis Boathouse.
Grateful Oars members are expected to take part in maintaining club facilities and equipment. Club facilities are located on land that is generously made available by the Village of Norwood, New York.
2023 Officers and Board of Directors
Postal Address: P.O. Box 22, Norwood, NY 13668 |