We welcome all adults from ages 19 to 80 plus who are interested in the sport of rowing , whether or not they have previous rowing experience. All new members must either take our Learn to Row program, or if they already know how to row, be checked out by one of our more experienced members.

Our program accommodates a diverse set of rowing interests, whether they are competitive, recreational, social or just to exercise on the sheer beauty of Nelson’s lake. Because of our “open boat house” policy, adults can row at just about any time they want during daylight hours.

Currently, we have 1 Quad, 4 Doubles and 6 Singles, of which, one of the latter two are Recreational Singles. The rest are all racing shells. We hope to add more recreational boats together with Fours and Quads as we generate the money to do so.

Typically our members row either by arrangement with other members or at set times according to demand. We also provide coached sessions on request providing the group is large enough to make it worthwhile. To enable new members to meet and row with our existing membership we have a mentoring system.

For competitive rowers, we organize an annual regatta in June and July, hosting other rowing clubs from the BC Interior, the NW USA and the Lower Mainland. We also participate in the regattas put on by some of these clubs.

Our Rowing Water

Our boat house is located at Lakeside Park in Nelson, just west of the Big Orange Bridge (otherwise known as BOB) on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake. From here, we can row 4 to 5 Kms. Downstream (to the west) or 40 Kms. upstream (to the east) where the West Arm joins the main body of Kootenay Lake. The lake width varies from a few hundred metres to several kilometers.

Because of the lake’s size, wave action sometimes limits where and when we can row, but during the prime summer and fall seasons we can get out most days.

Motor boat traffic (with its attendant wake problem) is generally very light throughout the year and only becomes noticeable on holiday weekends at the height of summer.

Open Boat House Policy

As we are a small club with a diverse adult membership, in order to ensure that everyone gets to row regardless of their personal schedule, we give each member a key to the boat house, so that as long as they can find one other member to row with, and that there is not a scheduled Junior or LTR practice that is using all of our boats, they can row at any time they please.

Social

Social events happen as the membership demands. The following are some of the things we organize:

Picnics at public beaches at 6 Mile and Kokanee Park

Friday evening Pot Luck suppers (row and then eat)

Exercise

Rowing is one of the least damaging of all forms of physical exercise. There is no impact; one can work as hard or as softly as one wishes, stop when ever you want, row for two or 32 Kms and do it once or 10 times a week.

Think of it as cross country skiing in summer only better.

Costs

The costs of Adult membership are listed under Fees.