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 & Annual Memberships

Learn-To-Row (LTR)

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:

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

Session 1: April 26, 27, May 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18
Session 2: May 31, June 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22
Session 3: August 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24

*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 #11516)
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?

What should I bring?

What if I can't make a session?

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 #11516)
Complete the NBRC registration form (below), including the NBRC Waiver and Release of Liability
Pay the NBRC Annual Masters Program fee of $295.

Register Online

Select the tab below to register for the Learn to Row Course or Annual Membership

Learn to Row + Annual Membership +

Learn to Row +

Your Information

2025 Learn to Row(Required)

1: Sat & Sun 9:00-11:00 am; April 26, 27, May 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18

2: Sat & Sun 9:00-11:00 am; May 31, June 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22

3: Sat & Sun 9:00-11:00 am; August 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24

Gift Certificate: Learn to Row

NOTE: Annual membership is included in your Learn to Row fees. You do NOT have to sign up separately for the annual membership.

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Emergency Contact Name(Required)

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Emergency Contact(Required)

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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.

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Annual Membership +

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2025 NBRC Adult Annual Membership(Required)

Price:

For renewing members or experienced rowers hoping to join NBRC valid until April 01, 2026 *Note: If you are signing up for an LTR program you do NOT need to sign up for the annual membership.

Name(Required)

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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)

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)

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Comment

Total

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MasterCard

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