Masters Club Sweep
Overview
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The goal of the Masters Program is to improve the rowing ability and fitness level of rowers with a wide range of technical ability and fitness levels. Each practice session is focused on building each rower’s technique, endurance, and strength on and off the water.
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Every rower should (when leaving a practice) be able to say to themselves either, “I learned something new today that will help improve my technique” or “I got a good workout in today that will help my speed and endurance,” and preferably both.
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Program Structure
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Masters Program practices may include both sculling (in doubles or quads) and sweep rowing (in pairs, fours, and eights), based on demand, safety concerns, and coaching availability.
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Coaches will be ready to provide additional off-the-water training suggestions, if asked by program participants.
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Racing at regattas is an excellent way of measuring improvement over the course of the season, as well as meeting the Club’s Mission of visibility and outreach; therefore participation at regattas is encouraged, but not required. Details on racing can be found below.
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Program Schedule
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The 2022 Masters sweep schedule is being developed. Check back soon for dates! The season starts in early April and continues through the first week of November.
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For 2021, the practice schedule was:
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Mornings: Tuesdays and Thursdays (twice a week) 5:15 AM - 7:00 AM
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Evenings: Monday - Thursday (four times a week) 6:15 PM - 8:00 PM
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Weekend Morning: Sundays 9:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Members of the Masters Program can attend any practice their schedule allows; participants can row both in the morning and evening, even on the same day. This allows rowers increased flexibility to try new coaches by attending different practice times that they choose.
The practice schedule is subject to change dependent on demand and shell and coaching availability.
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Cost
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For DC Strokes members not currently enrolled in any program, the program fee for 2021 is $675. Payment in 3 monthly installments is available.
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Students enrolled full time receive a 50 % discount on all Program Fees. Dedicated coxswains do not pay program fees.
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As always, additional payment plans and discounts are available for those with financial hardships. Please contact the treasurer at treasurer@dcstrokes.org for more information.
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Racing
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Preparing for racing is strongly encouraged in the Masters Program. Whereas in the past establishing and preparing racing lineups fell primarily on the Program Coaches, this Masters Program structure moves the onus more onto the rowers wishing to race.
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Coaches or rowers can propose a race lineup, with the lineup having a goal regatta to prepare for. Over the course of Masters Program practices, a set of rowers may be self-identified or identified by the coaches that feel ready to put the extra effort into preparing to race.
Learn to Row with DC Strokes
If you are looking for:
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A total body workout…
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A welcoming LGBTQ+ environment...
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A great outdoor activity suited for people of all sizes, ages, and abilities…
…then you should learn to row with DC Strokes.
Our training is for people with zero experience or knowledge of rowing. (If you have previous rowing experience, consider our Novice or Club programs.)
Each of our Spring sessions includes eight additional evenings of on-the-water practice to help you decide if rowing is the sport for you. Most Learn to Row participants typically opt to continue rowing in our Novice program for the remainder of the Summer and Fall, further improving their technique and fitness.
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What You Will Learn
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Boat and rowing terminology
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The basics of the sweep rowing stroke
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How to row properly on an ergometer (erg)
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Stretching and fitness tips
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How to row together as a crew
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Practice drills
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How to stay safe on land and on the water
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2024 Schedule and Registration
Cost: $320
Dates: See sessions below
Location: Anacostia Community Boathouse
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Session D (Starts June 22)
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Session D is your last chance to learn to row with DC Strokes in 2024.
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​This is an accelerated session taught over two weekends. The first weekend meets on Saturday and Sunday, meeting twice on both days. The second weekend meets Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday, with one session each day.
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First weekend: June 22–23, Sat–Sun, 9:00am–11am & 12:30pm–2:30pm
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Second weekend: June 28–30, Fri, 6:00–8:00pm and Sat–Sun 9:00am–12:00pm
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How to Register
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Create an account on Boathouse Connect, our club management software.
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After you have logged in and finished the account creation process, click on the Groups dropdown in the left-side navigation bar. Then click My Groups.
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You will see a list of groups.
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Click on 2024 Learn to Row Session D. Then click Join Group.​
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You're done! The payment method that you entered during account creation will be charged the registration fee. You don't need to do anything else.
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What's After Your Learn to Row Session?
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After you've completed Part A of Learn to Row, you'll be welcome to row with us for two additional weeks at no cost- known as Part B of Learn to Row, while you decide whether rowing is the sport for you. At that point, if you've met your Learn to Row Coach's participation expectations, you'll be able to become a member of DC Strokes and join the Novice program. Please note that the Novice program will be on weeknights as opposed to the weekend times the Learn to Row sessions may be held over. The Sweep page under the Programs page will be updated with more information regarding Novice program registration as it becomes available.
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Questions?
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If you have questions about the program or if you would like to be added to the waitlist for next season's Learn to Row A-D sessions, feel free to email our Programs Director, Kevin Bazan, at programs@dcstrokes.org. He is very friendly!
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Swimming Proficiency
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By participating, rowers are expected to meet but not perform the following minimum swimming proficiencies sequentially and continuously:
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Ability to tread water for 10 minutes,
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Swim one lap (25 meters, any stroke),
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ability to put on and take off a personal flotation device (PFD) while in the water.
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Alternatively, members can opt to wear a PFD.
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