• What is the Great Miami Rowing Center?
  
• What is rowing?
• Who Rows?
• What if I don't know how to row?
• I rowed in college and I want to continue to be competitive. Do you have a program for me?
  
• What season does rowing compete?
  
• Do I have to participate in all seasons?
  
• How safe is it?
• Can I Do This?
  
• How do I get started?

What is the Great Miami Rowing Center?
The Great Miami Rowing Center strives to provide river access to all citizens in Butler County. We are committed to taking an under-used asset, the river, and creating a recreational centerpiece for the county. We offer programs for youth as well as adults and there is no experience necessary to join the club!

What is rowing?
Rowing is the oldest sport in the modern Olympics, and the founder was actually a rower. This is a physically demanding sport involving strength, endurance, and coordination. This sport engages all muscle groups, not just the upper body – a common misconception.

We row our boats with a style of rowing called sweep rowing, which requires us to row in pairs in 2, 4, or 8 person boats. In sweep rowing the rowers have both their hands on one oar (sculling is with one smaller oar in each hand). Rowing has both long distance events, which take about 12-16 minutes, and sprint distances, which take about 7-8 minutes. The events are rowed on lakes such as Lake Harsha just east of Cincinnati, and rivers, such as our own Great Miami River.

Who rows?
The simple answer is EVERYONE! Adults row competitively as well as for recreation and the Great Miami Rowing Center can provide the level of competition you desire. There are many regattas in the midwest region in which "masters" (aka adults) can race in and there are races for recreational crews as well.

There are many rowing programs in this region including The Cincinnati Rowing Club, The Clermont Crew, The Dayton Boatclub, and The Greater Dayton Rowing Association. These clubs house masters crews as well as youth crews.

Please visit this USRowing website for a list of all Ohio boat clubs.

What if I don't know how to row?
We all have to start somewhere! We offer Learn to Row classes for the novice rower. Our courses run throughout the warm months and are 4 weeks long and meet twice per week. Once you have completed the Level 2 course you are eligible to become a member of the boatclub. Check out our schedule of classes.

I rowed in college and I want to continue to be competitive. Do you have a program for me?
Anyone with previous rowing experience may skip the Learn to Row sequence and become a member of the boatclub. As a member you have access to all the clubs rowing equipment. After a safety meeting and a short probation period you may take equipment out on the river without a safety launch.

Our current members range from Learn to Row graduates to post collegiate rowers. We do our best to connect competitive rowers together and get you on your way to racing!

What season does rowing compete?
Rowing occurs all year round. The warm months are spent outdoors on the Great Miami River and the winter months are spent indoors on rowing machines.

For those looking to compete, during the fall season we train over longer distances and the races are generally between 4,000 and 6,000 meters. The spring season is our sprint season and we race 2,000 meters, which can take anywhere from 6 to 8 minutes, depending on the crew. The winter months are too cold to practice outdoors, so we train indoors on rowing machines. Additionally, there are indoor rowing contests in Cincinnati and around the US that are performed by connecting several rowing machines together.

Do I have to participate in all seasons?
You will pay yearly dues and may choose to participate as much or as little as you have time for. Regular attendance will be required to participate in a competitive boat, however, you may row recreationally as you are able.

How safe is it?
We are serious about safety, and we follow an extensive plan in accordance with the United States Rowing Association (the national governing body for rowing) to assure that we continue to conduct our rowing safely. The coach follows a much more elaborate set of rules, as well as applying the use if their own judgment and experience.

Can I do this?
Our rowing classes are skill development classes open to any interested in learn the sport of rowing. You do not need to be in great shape in order to start rowing. You do need to be able to carry 30lbs (your portion of the boat) 200 yards to the dock from the boat enclosure. Also, you do not need to be a great swimmer. We row ON the water not IN the water. Our forms do ask that your vouch for your swimming competency (the ability to swim 100m any stroke and tread water for 10 minutes).

How do I get started?
Please visit our Masters section of our website for more information. We'll be constantly updating the site to keep you informed.