Masters Programs

New Bedford Rowing Center (NBRC) offers rowing programs for adults with all levels of experience. See our schedule for the current season’s details.

We row year-round with on-the-water activities Spring, Summer and Fall, and indoor training during the winter. For members with competitive interest, we offer the opportunity to participate in regattas throughout the year as well as indoor erg regattas during the winter.

Experienced and new rowers welcome!

Learn-to-Row

Open Row

Winter Indoor Rowing

Learn-To-Row (LTR) Program 2025

The goal of the NBRC LTR program is to equip new rowers with the basic skills of boat-handling and rowing technique, enabling them to row safely and with confidence.

Rowing can be a life-long activity. Individual goals may range from recreation, through fitness, to competition.

2025 Learn-to-Row Sessions:

Two 75-90 minute sessions a week over the course of 4-weeks. Instructors are experienced USRowing-certified coaches and courses are open to ages 18+.

Session 1: April Dates TBD
Session 2: June Dates TBD
Session 3: August Dates TBD

*Each course is restricted to 10 participants

The cost of the NBRC Learn-to-Row Program is $295. This program fee is in lieu of the annual NBRC membership for experienced rowers (renewable April 1 of each year) and allows LTR participants to row through the end of the on-the-water season, Nov. 1, at no additional cost.

We are proud to participate in the Card to Culture program, a collaboration between Mass Cultural Council and the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, and the Massachusetts Health Connector, by offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders discounted Learn-to-Row and membership dues. Cardholders must email info@newbedfordrowing.org to sign up for a Learn-to-Row course of their choosing.

See the complete list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.

All NBRC Masters, whether beginners or more experienced, must also register with USRowing, the national governing body of the sport. The annual cost is $25.

Upon completion of the LTR program, beginners become novices and may join the open row sessions. NBRC is committed to building community among all participants in its Masters programs.

To sign up for an LTR class:

Register with USRowing. The annual fee is $25 for a "basic" membership. (Club code: E8DXZ)
Complete the NBRC registration form (below), including the NBRC Waiver and Release of Liability
Pay the NBRC Learn-to-Row Program fee of $295.

All three steps must be completed to reserve a place in a particular class. Reservations are on a first-come basis.

FAQs:

What should I wear?

Wear slip-on sandals (not flip-flops) to carry equipment to the water, then remove before entering the shell. Wear snug shorts to avoid getting them caught under the wheels of the sliding seats. Depending on the weather, layer up as necessary, donning and doffing garments as the weather and personal comfort dictate. Bring a couple of pairs of socks in case the shoes affixed to the shell are a size too large. Wear sunscreen (even if overcast.) A hat or cap with a visor and/or sunglasses will shield eyes from the direct or reflected glare of the sun.

What should I bring?

When does class begin?

When does class end?

The goal is always to end class at the appointed hour. Ideally, "seven a.m. to eight-thirty" means free to leave at 8:30 a.m., sharp. Coaches will do their best to take into account wind, waves, and current, as well as keep in mind, when planning practice, the experience and proficiency levels of their rowers. However, conditions on the water can change suddenly, causing occasional (and, hopefully, infrequent) delays. IF a rower has a hard stop at a particular time, THEN that rower should alert the coach in advance, so appropriate arrangements may be made.

The end of class does NOT mean that participants must vacate the area. Those with time to relax or converse together should feel free to do so.

What if I am going to be late?

What if I can't make a session?

Make clear when signing up or inform the coach at the earliest opportunity, via the agreed upon method. Graduations, weddings, and other family and business commitments are part of adult life. So, unfortunately, are illnesses and accidents, our own or those of others. The earliest possible notice allows the coach to make alternative arrangements, such as recruiting a member from another LTR class to temporarily fill in.

Ideally, all participants are able to attend every session, for their own benefit as well as the coach's convenience in planning instruction and practice for the remaining members of the class. Realistically, a few participants are likely to be absent at least once. Practically, more than two absences, neither made up, is likely to impair a participant's progress and possibly that of others in the same class, since rowing is the ultimate team sport.

Open Row

NBRC offers open row sessions for experienced rowers and novices who have completed a Learn-to-Row course. Theses sessions offer a fun, recreational rowing experience allowing NBRC members to continuously develop their rowing skills, get a good workout in, and enjoy the waters of New Bedford.

2025 Schedule TBD

April - November, 2025 as weather allows

Each session is accompanied by one of NBRC's USRowing-certified coaches.

TO PARTICIPATE WITH NBRC AS AN EXPERIENCED ROWER:

Determine whether NBRC can meet your needs. Contact info@newbedfordrowing.org.
Register (or renew) with USRowing. A basic membership is sufficient (club code: E8DXZ)
Complete the NBRC registration form (below), including the NBRC Waiver and Release of Liability
Pay the NBRC Annual Masters Program fee of $295.

Indoor Rowing Conditioning Sessions 2023-2024

December through April, NBRC is partnering with Watuppa Rowing Center of Fall River to offer indoor rowing at the Watuppa Rowing Center boathouse. The indoor rowing sessions provide the perfect opportunity to learn proper rowing technique and enjoy a full-body, low-impact workout. Led by USRowing certified coaches from the New Bedford Rowing Center & Watuppa Rowing Center, these classes are suitable for all fitness levels and available to Greater New Bedford and Fall River residents ages 14+. Classes consist of interval rowing on concept 2 ergs paired with weight training for those interested.

SCHEDULE:

Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00p.m. - 7:30p.m.
Saturdays 9:00a.m.-10:30a.m.

What to wear & bring:

Bottled Water!
Form-fitting clothing (loose or baggy clothing will catch in the machine slide)
Athletic Shoes
A yoga mat or towel

TO PARTICIPATE:

Determine whether NBRC can meet your needs. Contact info@newbedfordrowing.org.
Complete the NBRC registration form (below), including the NBRC Waiver and Release of Liability
Sessions costs:
- For NBRC & Watuppa members: $10 a session
- For non-members: $15 a session
- EBT, WIC & ConnectCare Cardholders: row for free as part of the Card to Culture program!

LOCATION:

Register Online

Click below for the sign up forms ⬇️

Annual NBRC Membership + Learn to Row + Indoor Rowing Sessions +

Annual NBRC Membership +

Your Information

2024 NBRC Annual Adult Membership

For renewing members or experienced rowers hoping to join NBRC valid until April 01, 2025 *Note: If you are signing up for an LTR program you do not need to sign up for the annual membership. It is already included in your LTR program costs.

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Emergency Contact(Required)

First Last

Emergency Contact Number(Required)

NBRC Waiver and Release of Liability(Required)

READ ALL of the Agreement carefully before signing.

ACTIVITY AND ASSOCIATED RISKS: I have chosen to participate in the following activity: Rowing (hereinafter referred to as “the Activity”), which is organized by New Bedford Rowing Center, a 501(c)(3) organization (hereinafter referred to as “NBRC”).

In consideration of the permission to participate in the Activity, I agree to the terms contained in this document.

The Activity is inherently hazardous, and I may be exposed to dangers and hazards.

As a consequence of these risks, I may be seriously hurt or disabled or may die from resulting injuries, and my property may also be damaged.

Hospital facilities, qualified medical care, and emergency medical evacuation may be limited or unavailable during portions of the Activity; and NBRC assumes no responsibility for providing medical care during the Activity, and I will have to pay for any medical care and/or evacuation that I incur. Furthermore, I understand that participants must be competent swimmers for their own safety and the safety of others, and by SIGNING THIS FORM I AM CERTIFYING THAT I AM A COMPETENT SWIMMER.

I hereby freely assume the above-mentioned risks as well as other risks not listed that are part of this activity, and any harm, injury or loss that may occur to me or my property as a result of my participation in the Activity or during any transportation to or from the Activity - including any injury or loss caused by the negligence of NBRC, its employees, agents and officers, its contractors, and other Activity participants.

I also understand that any equipment that I provide or may borrow or rent from NBRC or any other provider I use at my own risk and that any such equipment is provided without any warranty about its condition or suitability.

I hereby RELEASE NBRC, its employees, agents, officers, and contractors, the providers of any equipment used in the Activity, the City of New Bedford, the New Bedford Port Authority, New Bedford Parks and Recreation & Beaches, and their respective employees, officers, and directors ( “the Released Parties”) FROM ALL LIABILITIES, CAUSES OF ACTION, CLAIMS AND DEMANDS that arise in any way from any injury, death, loss or harm that occur to me or to any other person or to any property during the Activity or in any way related to the Activity. Any dispute arising from this Agreement or in any way associated with the Activity shall be brought only in the Superior Court of Bristol County in Fall River, MA, or in the U.S. District Court for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Boston, MA, and I agree to the jurisdiction and venue of those courts for any such dispute. In any litigation in which the validity or enforceability of this Agreement is contested, I agree that the non-prevailing party will pay all attorney’s fees and costs of the parties seeking to uphold this Agreement.

I hereby authorize NBRC to publish photographs taken of me for use in the NBRC’s print, online, social media, and video-based marketing materials, as well as other NBRC and partner publications. I hereby release and hold harmless NBRC from any reasonable expectation of privacy or confidentiality associated with the images specified above.

I HAVE FULLY INFORMED MYSELF OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS AGREEMENT BY READING IT BEFORE SIGNING IT. NO ORAL REPRESENTATIONS, STATEMENTS OR OTHER INDUCEMENTS TO SIGN THIS RELEASE HAVE BEEN MADE APART FROM WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A CONTRACT THAT AFFECTS MY LEGAL RIGHTS AND I SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.

Swimming Skills(Required)

I certify that I can swim 100 continuous yards and can tread water for 10 minutes

I prefer to schedule and take a swim test conducted by a certified lifeguard or an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor. I will submit the results to NBRC upon completion before rowing begins.

Today's Date(Required)

Signature(Required)

Comment

Total

Payment Method

MasterCard

Visa

Card Number Expiration Date Security Code Cardholder Name

Learn to Row +

Indoor Rowing Sessions +