Adult Rowing Charlotte, NC
Belmont Rowing Center - Adult Programs
MASTERS TRAINING TEAM
BRC’s Masters Training Team is appropriate for current BRC Masters rowers; it may also be appropriate for rowers with significant previous experience who would like to refine their technique and increase fitness in a structured environment. This program meets three times a week (Tuesday and Thursday evening, and Saturday morning).
To determine if you are at the appropriate level, contact us using our contact form here. Rowers who have recently completed Learn To Row or whose rowing experience is limited or long ago might find our Masters (SKILLS) or Learn To Row programs a better fit.
New rowers at this level are welcome to join the team at any point during the season!
Masters Training team members can also row outside of structured practices as long as they abide by the Independent Rowing guidelines and requirements.
All Masters Training Team lineups (practice and racing) are determined by the Head Coach. Masters Training Team members must hold an active USRowing membership.
2026 Master Training Team - Spring Season
The 2026 Masters Training Spring Season starts on March 7, 2026. The season consists of on-the-water practices (weather permitting) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Fees are paid up-front for the season or on a monthly payment schedule through our club management system – iCrew. The fee for the Spring season is $550 or $115/month. Fee/costs for Regattas are handled separately.
| Season | Days | Times |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Spring | Mon/Thu Sat | 6:00p - 8:00p 7:30a - 9:30a |
| Season | Spring |
|---|---|
| Tue/Thu | 6:00p-8:00p |
| Sat | 7:30a-9:30a |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00p - 8:00p On-Water | 6:00 - 8:00p On-Water | 7:30a - 9:30a On-Water |
| Weekday | Time/Location |
|---|---|
| Sunday | |
| Monday | |
| Tuesday | 6:00p-8:00p On-Water |
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | 6:00p-8:00p On-Water |
| Friday | |
| Saturday | 7:30a-9:30a On-Water |
MASTERS SKILLS TEAM
Masters Skills Team is open to recent Learn To Row participants and those with limited rowing experience. It may also be a good fit for those returning to the sport after a long time away or those that want to row in less rigorous practices. Masters Skills Team rowers can, and often do, participate in Regattas. This program focuses on establishing a baseline of fundamental skills that are necessary for rowing independently or with a coached program. The first half of the course is spent sculling and then moves to sweep rowing for the 2nd half. This will also prepare you to pass the Level 1 Safety and Skills Review.
New rowers at this level are welcome to join the team at any point during the season!
Masters Skills Team rowers are expected to leave knowing the following skills:
- General Water Safety
- Rowing Safety
- Basic Progression of a Stroke
- Pick Drills
- Reverse Pick Drills
- Pause Drills
- General Rowing Terminology
- Steering by Pressure
- Backing Water
- Stopping a Boat
- Rowing together at moderate rates (18 – 24 spm)
2026 Master Skills Team - Spring Season
The 2026 Masters Skills Team Spring Season starts on March 7, 2026. The season consists of on-the-water practices (weather permitting) on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Fees are paid up-front for the season or on a monthly payment schedule through our club management system – iCrew. The fee for the Spring season is $385 or $80/month. Fee/costs for Regattas are handled separately.
| Season | Spring |
|---|---|
| Wed | 6:00p-8:00p |
| Sat | 7:30a-9:30a |
| Season | Days | Times |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Spring | Wed Sat | 6:00p - 8:00p 7:30a - 9:30a |
| Weekday | Time/Location |
|---|---|
| Sunday | |
| Monday | |
| Tuesday | |
| Wednesday | 6:00p-8:00p On-Water |
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday | 7:30a-9:30a On-Water |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00p - 8:00p On-Water | 7:30a - 9:30a On-Water |
ADULT LEARN TO ROW
The Learn To Row Session is a 3-day course, starting with an evening session on-land, providing an introduction to rowing, equipment, terminology as well as learning the basic rowing stroke using a rowing machine (referred to as an ergometer or “erg”). The evening introduction is followed by Saturday and Sunday morning sessions that will be on-the-water, providing instruction on rowing safety, getting the boat (or shell) from the rack to the water, getting your oars and body into the boat, and learning to row.
Most participants have never set foot in a rowing shell before their first class. Classes are taught with the understanding that participants have never touched an oar before. Learn To Row is taught using sculling shells. Sweep rowing is taught in our Masters Skills Team program, which is the next step after completing Learn To Row.
April 2026 Learn To Row Schedule
Date
Time
Thursday April 23rd
6:00-8:00PM
Saturday April 25th
7:30-10:30AM
Sunday April 26rd
7:30-10:30AM
There are 2 styles of rowing, Sculling and Sweep.
Sculling
Sculling boats are for 1, 2, or 4 rowers, and each rower has 2 oars.
Sweep
Sweep boats have 4 or 8 rowers, where each rower has 1 oar. This is the style of rowing described in The Boys in the Boat and A Most Beautiful Thing. It is also commonly seen on motivational posters about teamwork.
Expectations
Don’t worry, everyone is bad at rowing when they start. While some rowers may pick up the stroke faster than others, prepare to feel like a baby giraffe, it’s normal. We welcome masters of all ages with our current adult rowers range from their 20s to their 80s. The course focuses on rowing technique and does not consist of hard workouts. However you will be active during class. Therefore there are some requirements:
- Participants do need to certify that they can swim. You can choose to wear a life jacket at any time although it is only required in specific situations.
- Participants must be comfortable lifting at least 30 pounds overhead (you will have to lift boats to carry on your shoulder).
- Participants must weigh less than 230 pounds because of equipment design limitations.
Our coaches are used to working around injuries and mobility restrictions, so please let them know of any issues. Even something like a sprained ankle can create discomfort that a coach can help you work around.
Upon completion of Learn To Row, participants will need to either continue into the Masters Skills Team program or take private lessons before being ready to row on their own.
If you are interested in finding out more about Learn To Row, please contact us at info@belmontrowing.org
BRC uses the iCrew team management platform to manage registrations, process payments, and obtain all required documentation. Upon your first login you will be required to create a profile before you can register for any BRC programming. Once registered and prior to your first practice you will need to e-sign the Participation Agreement, Code of Conduct and USRowing waiver located in the “My Documents” section of your iCrew account.
What To Bring
Required Gear
- Athletic clothing
- Close-fitting
- Bright, high-visibility
- Moisture-wicking
- Non-cotton, spandex
- Socks
- Water shoes or sandals
- Water bottle
Recommended Gear
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Extra layers or a jacket
- Spare change of clothes/socks
- Athletic sneakers/trainers
- Snacks
- Insect repellent
SPRING 2026 REGATTAS
| Date | Regatta | Location |
|---|---|---|
| April 4 | Clemson Sprints | Clemson, SC |
| April 18 | NC Rowing Championships | High Point, NC |
| May 30 | Dogwood Championships | Oak Ridge, TN |
Above schedule are potential regattas the Masters Teams may attend, based on coach/member interest.
RETURN TO ROWING DAY
USRowing and Belmont Rowing Center are excited to announce the launch of the first-ever Return to Rowing Day, a free, nationwide initiative debuting in May 2026.
On Saturday, May 16, at 5PM, Belmont Rowing Center and boathouses across the country will open their doors to welcome former rowers back to the sport—whether they last rowed a few years ago or a few decades ago.
Return to Rowing Day is designed to be fun, flexible, and low-pressure. We invite anyone who has ever rowed to join us. Whether you rowed in high school, college, as a masters athlete, or even just for a short time—this is your opportunity to come back to the sport you loved.
Former rowers are encouraged to return regardless of experience level, fitness or time away. Life changes—moving, careers, or time constraints—may have pulled people away from rowing, but this event offers a welcoming path back.
Belmont Rowing Center will host a variety of activities on the day, including:
• Short refresher on the erg (depending on demand)
• On-the-water rowing session
• Social gatherings and alumni meetups with drinks and snacks after rowing
If you are interested in joining us on Saturday, please let us know by filling out a brief sign-up form.
For more information from USRowing, please visit the USRowing Return to Rowing Website