Programs & Schedule

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

New Bedford Rowing Center (NBRC) rows 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!

The goal of the NBRC LTR program is to equip beginning rowers with the basic skills of boathandling and rowing technique, enabling them to row safely and with confidence in four- and eight-oared “shells.”

Individual goals may range from recreation, through fitness, to competition, or a combination of these that may change seasonally or evolve over time. Rowing can be a life-long activity.

Each LTR class consists of four weeks of instruction, divided into eight on-the-water sessions, of ninety minutes each, totaling twelve hours of instruction.

Spring/Summer Learn to Row Sessions:

Last courses of the summer!

  • A: August: Sat & Sun 7:00-8:30am (August 5th, 6th, 12th, 3th, 19th 20th, 26th & 27th
  • B: August: Sat & Sun 8:30-10:00am (August 5th, 6th, 12th, 3th, 19th 20th, 26th & 27th

Instructors are experienced USRowing-certified coaches and courses are open to ages 14+.

Each class will consist of one coach and no more than twelve rowers. At the coaches’ discretion and based on participant learning needs and/or weather conditions, a portion of some sessions may include instruction on indoor rowing machines. Rain-dates and make-up sessions will be scheduled as needed.

The cost of the NBRC Learn-to-Row Program is $250. This program fee is in lieu of the annual NBRC participation fee 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 EBTWIC, 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 take part in self-organizing “open” rows during specified hours, including NBRC's unique Saturday/Sunday “gams.” (That's gams, not games.)

NBRC is committed to building community among all participants in its Masters Programs. Gams are opportunities for novice Masters, who have completed an LTR class, to combine with novices from other LTR classes, as well as experienced Masters, to crew the entire NBRC “fleet” during collective rows. These gams also provide a basis for casual and impromptu organizing and socializing ashore. (See Melville, Herman. Moby-Dick, Ch. 53, for the origin of the term, keeping in mind that Melville was no stranger to the Acushnet River!)

To sign up for an LTR class:

  1. Register with USRowing. The annual fee is $25 for a "basic" membership. (Club code: E8DXZ)
  2. Complete the NBRC registration form (below), including the NBRC Waiver and Release of Liability
  3. Pay the NBRC Learn-to-Row Program fee of $250.
  4. Register with the NBRC Boat Reservation and Line-Up System through iCrew. (Club code: nbrc2022)

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

May through November, NBRC offers adult 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.

  • May-September:
    • Saturdays & Sundays 6:50-8:30am
    • Wednesdays 6:00-7:30pm

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

TO PARTICIPATE WITH NBRC AS AN EXPERIENCED ROWER:

  1. Determine whether NBRC can meet your needs. Contact info@newbedfordrowing.org.
  2. Register (or renew) with USRowing. A basic membership is sufficient (club code: E8DXZ)
  3. Complete the NBRC registration form (below), including the NBRC Waiver and Release of Liability
  4. Pay the NBRC Annual Masters Program fee of $250.
  5. Register with the NBRC Boat Reservation and Line-Up System through iCrew. (Club code: nbrc2022)

*UPDATE - April 15, 2023*

Indoor rowing sessions have concluded for the winter season.  We are back on the water in New Bedford starting April 22, 2023

January 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. - March 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30, April 3, 5, 10, 12
  • Saturdays 10:00a.m.-11:30a.m. - March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15

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:

  1. Determine whether NBRC can meet your needs. Contact info@newbedfordrowing.org.
  2. Complete the NBRC registration form (below), including the NBRC Waiver and Release of Liability
  3. Sessions costs:
    • For NBRC & Watuppa members: $45 for 5 sessions, $90 for 10
    • For non-members: $55 for 5 sessions, $110 for 10
    • 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 +