Right Around the River Blog

Rowing Season at Rocketts Landing Is Here!

Post Date: 04-02-2014

Rowing on the James River has a rich history at Rocketts Landing. Since the 19th century, rowers from across the region have descended upon our neighborhood to enjoy friendly athleticism, competition and camaraderie. And with spring’s arrival, rowing season has finally awakened on the James River — and we love seeing the action right outside of our doorsteps!

Three different crew clubs make Rocketts Landing their home: the Virginia Boat Club, VCU Crew and University of Richmond Crew. Each club spent the winter training indoors on ergs (rowing machines) and are just now able to train on the water for their 2014 season. So, we decided to check in and see how the season’s going and all that’s in store for rowing at Rocketts Landing.

RVA's skyline overlooks crew teams competing during the Rocketts Landing Sprints Regatta.

Virginia Boat Club

Originally formed in 1876, the Virginia Boat Club is one of the nation’s oldest rowing clubs. Located underneath The Boathouse in the restored Power Plant building, today, they have 148 active members that come from all rowing backgrounds: former National rowing team members, former world champions, former international rowers, as well as those who are just getting their oars wet!

For this year’s season, they have a new club president and are focusing on increasing rowing action here in RVA — while also increasing their impact across the region and beyond! To start, they’ve upgraded some of their equipment and are prepared to expand their competitive reach. In August, they’ll join rowers for the first time up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the 2014 USRowing Masters National Championships, in addition to their annual regattas. And, of course, they’re gearing up for their annual Rocketts Landing Sprints Regatta right here on the James River.

Virginia Boat Club members rowing on the James River.

If you’re new to the rowing scene, then consider taking Virginia Boat Club’s popular Learn to Row class. This year, they’re increasing enrollment and always welcome all skills levels out on the water. Or, try your sculling abilities with personal one-on-one lessons. You can learn more about RVA rowing opportunities at Rocketts Landing by visiting the Virginia Boat Club’s website.

VCU Crew

Sharing their boathouse with the Virginia Boat Club, VCU Crew is the rowing club of Virginia Commonwealth University. Over the years, they’ve grown into a coed team consisting of 50 members — and in 2014, they say that they’re entering the season with one of their strongest teams yet.

VCU Crew club competes in their annual Rocketts Landing Collegiate Regatta.

The club competes in regional and national competitions, with the annual Rocketts Landing Collegiate Regatta serving as their own capstone event. Despite winter, they’ve been training hard for the season, conditioning in the VCU gyms and the boathouse. Even in the cold winter mornings, rowers were out on land conditioning at 6:00 a.m.! This season’s training on the water began March 24, and they’ve been rowing on the James River ever since. With a strong 2013 rowing season behind them, for both their men and women teams, they’re ready to make 2014 — and this year’s Collegiate Regatta — one of their best seasons yet.

University of Richmond Crew

Also rowing out of Rocketts Landing is the University of Richmond Crew club. With their boathouse located on the west side of our beach volleyball courts in the Raft Building, Richmond Crew is a dedicated team of rowers who bring another dose of rowing enthusiasm to our community.

Richmond Crew rowers carry their shell to the water at Rocketts Landing.

To jumpstart their rowing season, Richmond Crew hired a new coach (a former MIT crew caption) in February to help guide their 20-person team through a building season, focusing on honing their craft and skill. They’ve also been training steadily through the colder weather and have been out on the water for nearly two weeks with daily afternoon practices, five days a week. And though their team is slightly smaller this year, they’re taking the intimate dynamics as an opportunity to focus on the specific competitive skills and regatta schedule that will maximize this season.

Spectators take in the sunshine while enjoying a regatta at Rocketts Landing.

We always love when rowing season kicks off on the James River at Rocketts Landing, bringing back all the action on the water. To learn more about Richmond’s rowing scene, be sure to come out to our upcoming Rocketts Landing Collegiate Regatta on April 26. Free and open to the public, you’ll see collegiate teams from across the region compete for first place, as they officially kick off our 2014 event season! So, be sure to check back here for more details.