why Rowing Dock?

Coaching Staff:  Our coaches are rowers themselves. They have taught the spectrum of beginners through advanced rowers. They have a knack for explaining the fundamentals of the stroke to beginners so that it makes sense. And, their enthusiasm and knowledge base ensures that through your initial series of lessons, you'll become a better rower and have fun doing it!  They are with you at all times, whether learning on the dock for the first lesson or out on the water during subsequent lessons.

Step-by-step learning: Rowing Dock beginner instruction teaches the fundamentals of rowing--everything from the rowing stroke, putting the boat together and safety on the water.  You will use world-class boats, oars and rowing machines--progressing gradually from a rowing machine to the dock trainer to the recreational single sculls.

One month rowing membership:  Your rowing membership allows you to row or practice on the rowing machines and dock trainers during regular open hours form one month from the day of your first lesson. It is designed to let you to take a boat out and practice drills between lessons without a coach.   When you arrive at the dock for a row, just let our dock attendant know that you are taking lessons and he/she will help you get a boat and make sure that you have it set up properly.

World-Class Rowing Boats and Equipment:  Even our beginner boats, we call them recreational singles, are made with Olympic-class rigging.  Maas defines our intermediate single as a club racer.  We think our intermediate rowers would agree.  It is stiff, stable and much lighter than our recreational single, so rowers get a lot more run on the boat for each stroke.  The Olympic-class Hudson singles, doubles and quads are a true joy to row.  They zip through the water with ease.  All are made with carbon fiber and a honeycomb hull.  They are super lightweight and built for speed.  All boats are available to members who want to progress.

Our rowing machines, we lovingly call them ergs, are Concept2; arguably the best in the business.  Collegiate rowers, Olympic hopefuls, and folks like you and me, from all over the world train on Concept2 ergs, we even attend an indoor regatta on these gems annually.  Our oars are lightweight, carbon fiber with hatchet blades made by Concept2 and Dreher. 

Even the dock planks are special, they are made from recycled plastic bags and cedar chips to form a composite material that does not splinter.  It is slip resistant, so even when it is wet, you won’t loose your footing.  We designed the lower dock to be exactly 4 inches off the water, this makes for easy docking as the riggers can easily pass over the dock.  The blue canopy is imported from Africa, it blocks out lots of the damaging sun rays and keeps rowers and boats protected from the summer’s heat.  You’ll find little things that make a big difference, at Rowing Dock.

why row?

total body fitness: Rowers are superb examples of excellent conditioning. However, rowing for beginners does not necessarily have to be any more strenuous than walking. This allows beginners to practice their skills and learn the stroke without being impaired by fatigue.  After acquiring basic rowing skills, novice rowers can reach their target heart rate for burning calories-this means weight loss and muscle toning.

strength: When you watch the sport, you might get the impression that upper body strength is most important, but actually, the legs are of equal significance, since that's where the stroke begins. It takes power from every major muscle group to propel the boat through the water. The fluid, rowing stroke tones and strengthens your legs, arms, back and shoulders. You'll also feel it in your abdominal muscles and glutes. Because rowing exercises muscles through a wider range of motion than most other exercises, your muscles stretch and joints rotate to a greater extent. This promotes mobility and flexibility. Because the rowing stroke is fluid and your energy comes from pushing steadily against a solid base, there is no harsh, jarring impact, to cause shin splints or joint injuries.

everyone can be a rower: Whether you learn to row at 15 or 55, you're in great shape or would like to shed a few pounds, you work an eight-hour day or you have a flexible schedule, you can learn to row right here in Downtown Austin!  Most people that row in Austin, did not grow up rowing or row in college. They learned to row as an adult, for fitness and for recreation.  Come row with us at Rowing Dock.

why austin?

Town Lake: quintessential rowing water: Rowers from all over the world agree that Austin is an amazing place to row.  Town Lake is practically made for rowing.  It’s dammed, so there is very little current.  There are no motor boats (except for coaching launches and safety boats) to cause wakes and noise.  Town Lake is long, there are 6.5 miles of flat water to row.  With Austin’s mild weather, we can row all year, many rowers think the winter is actually the best time to get on the water. . .a total mind shift from the northeast where the lakes freeze over.  Beyond all the practical reasons why Town Lake is great to row, it is also scenic from the cliffs toward Red Bud Island to Austin’s skyline.  Lucky us.