Joining the club

Our Learn To Row program is designed to give new rowers an introduction to the sport before they join.

Join us on Saturday 19th July for our Open Day to find out more about the club, meet current rowers and get out on the water to try rowing for yourself. Then take part in the 2025 Learn to Row programme which will be held during August.

If you are interested in joining the rowing club or learning more about this, please email secretary@tgsrowing.org.nz

Our Learn to Row program is open to complete beginners and those that have attended the holiday programme in year 8 to year 12. Students need to be at Takapuna Grammar School or planning to attend the school.

Following completion of Learn to Row Course the chance to sign up for the rowing season & form our novice squad which will compete at competitions. The fee for the Learn To Row Course is $150. This fee will be deducted from the season rowing fees if you sign-up for 2025/26.

The 2025 Learn-to-Row programme runs from 1st-23rd August. This introductory rowing training includes four water-based sessions (weather permitting) on Saturday 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd August, and four land-based training sessions on Friday 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd after school as well as the option to join in with some of our Junior Strength & Conditioning Sessions.

Water Sessions from our Boathouse in Bayswater: Blue Shed Bayswater, 11 Marine Terrace, Bayswater 0622.

Land Sessions: Takapuna Grammar School Rowing Erg Shed, In the corner of the field next to Sports Hall.

These sessions will provide a solid foundation in rowing techniques, fitness training, and team dynamics. Our skilled coaches will be there every step of the way, guiding and supporting you as you discover the joy of rowing. We suggest you attend all four Saturday sessions if possible.

Rowing is a sport that offers a balance of fitness and enjoyment. When you're out on the water, rowing with your team, you can't help but have a great time. Rowing allows you to challenge yourself physically while also enjoying the company of your team mates. Whether you prefer a more casual approach or are interested in competing, there's a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction that comes every time you’re on the water.

To those interested in coxing, our head coach, Sam, has extensive experience coaching coxswains. Getting involved as a coxswain gives you a comprehensive understanding of rowing techniques, boat dynamics, and the physical demands on rowers. This firsthand experience enhances your ability to provide effective instructions, steer the boat, and keep the team motivated during training and races. Sam's mentorship will help you develop leadership skills, including effective communication and motivating a team.

Please take a look around our website (www.tgsrowing.org.nz). You will find loads of information about training (including example training schedules), camps, regattas and fees. We hope it helps answer many of your questions. Please contact the Club Secretary at secretary@tgsrowing.org.nz if you have any further questions.

Takapuna Grammar School Rowing Club has a lot to offer its athletes: life long friendships, intense physical training, nation-wide travel, and an opportunity to represent Takapuna Grammar School on a whole new level. The competitive drive, team bond, and dedicated coaches, makes our club one of a kind.

Many people are apprehensive about starting rowing because they are worried that they won’t ‘fit the mould’ of what a rower should be – they are too short, too unfit or like sleeping too much. These are common misconceptions that should definitely not stop you from trying rowing. 

Whilst it is true that elite rowers are usually of above-average height, and are always extremely fit, and train at very early hours of the morning, this doesn’t mean that you can not participate in rowing and enjoy it at your own level. Learning to row as a novice is some of the best fun you can have at a rowing club and it tends to turn into a very tight-knit and friendly group. At first it may seem daunting if you don’t know anyone else, and there are a lot of “rowing-specific” terms and lingo that the coaches might use which you may not understand at first. However within a few weeks you will all start to get to know your fellow rowers - and coaches - a lot better, and as the season progresses you will be rowing like a professional.You may see other rowers out on the water breezing along, going twice as fast as you... and that's just in their warm-up! Don't forget that they have been rowing for many more years than you and are now reaping the rewards of their persistence... if you stick with it, you will soon be able to row as seemingly effortlessly as they are. Your level of competitiveness will be dependent on many factors (eg natural talent, fitness, commitment to training and many other factors). Rowing is the ultimate team sport, sparking a feeling of comradeship between crew mates that train together frequently, for it is a sport that is dependent on each and every member of the boat doing their part.

Every year we run a Learn to Row programme, which starts with an open day where we will get you out in one of our bigger boats (weather dependent) for your first row…we’ll also show you around our club and will give you a taste of what we get up to when we train (we train on water and on land).