Frequently asked questions.

We’re here to help

We get asked a lot of questions about rowing, Leeds RC and membership, so we’ve compiled a helpful list for you here!

Can anyone join?

Yes. The club welcomes all comers from complete beginners through to very experienced rowers. With a range of squads, it is usually possible for you to row at whatever intensity suits you, from training 7-8 times a week for Henley Royal Regatta, through to occasional recreation rowing once or twice a month.

Do you have any entry requirements?

No previous experience is needed, but all members have to be able to swim at least 50m in light clothing to be allowed out in a boat. If you cannot swim you will have to wear a life jacket, which makes rowing harder, and commit to swimming lessons.  You can self-certify as being able to swim on joining but the club holds regular swim tests and capsize drills in a local swimming pool to test out your ability to swim.

How does Learn to Row work?

We run two adult Learn to Row courses each year. One is in September on Sunday mornings at Waterloo lake for those who want to train for racing. This is followed by two sessions every Sunday for 12 months, before transferring to our senior squad at the canal. The other takes place in the Spring and is for those who want to row recreationally on the lake.

Our Junior L2R Academy takes young people in Year 8. This starts with an indoor assessment of fitness and aptitude followed, for those who are selected, by on water sessions around Easter. Sessions are then every Saturday afternoon on the water at the canal in S Leeds.

Do I need to buy any special kit or equipment?

When you start no special kit or equipment is needed. We provide all the boats and oars and you can row in shorts and T-shirt. With time if you represent the club at regattas you may want to invest in some official LRC kit.

How much does Learn to Row (L2R) cost?

Our adult L2R course is currently £75 for adults.  This covers 5 sessions on the L2R course and then, if you want to continue, another 4 weeks in the follow-on novice squad, both at Waterloo Lake in Roundhay Park.

Our Junior L2R costs £60

How much does Membership cost?

Membership fees are reviewed each year but all newcomers to the club are given 3-4 sessions without any charge to allow them to get to know the club and the way we work before being asked to formally join and start paying. 

Full adult membership is about £7 / week with juniors, full time students, and the over 65s paying about £4 per week. For juniors there is an additional coaching fee of about £5 per week to cover the cost of paid coaches.  

There are options to pay annually with a lump sum or monthly by direct debit.

Can University students join for the summer?

University students returning to Leeds for the summer vacation and who can already row are welcome at Leeds. We offer a £50 summer student membership to cover the June – September period. Summer students train on the canal In S Leeds and usually get to compete at regattas for the club.

What is the difference between your Waterloo Lake, Roundhay Park base and your Thwaite Mill, Stourton base?

All of our Learn to Row and Novice activity tales place at Roundhay Park as this is where we keep our specialist stable boats that are easier for beginners.  In addition, there is a recreational squad at Roundhay for members who want to be on the water but don’t necessarily want to make a commitment to intensive training.  The boathouse at Thwaites Mill is focused on athletes competing at local and national events.

I rowed in the past but have not been on the water for some years – where do I fit in?

The best place to start is probably our recereational squad at Waterloo Lake. This group is for our L2R graduates to build on their basic skills and for rowers returning to the water after a gap who need to rebuild skills and confidence. We have a range of boats including stable and fine singles, doubles and quads, enabling you to progress from easy to row to harder to row boast at your own pace.