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Q1: What level of expertise & commitment do I need to row with SMRA?​

A1: We have three levels of expertise: Novice, Intermediate/Recreational, and Competitive. Explanations of our programs for the 2025 season are as follows:

• Novice rowers have no experience and will be grouped with similar members for instruction in the basics.

  • In the summer, we are supporting Learn to Row sessions at the Chancellor's Point Natural History Area waterfront on Monday/Wednesday mornings from 5:15-7:15am.​

    • LTR sessions are open to those with a club membership, but are also available on a "pay-per-session" basis, the rate for which is called out in our membership checklist. See the Answer to Questions 3 & 4 for more information.

    • These sessions focus on Sculling (rowing with two oars), so experienced sweep rowers with little to no previous sculling experience are also highly encouraged to take advantage of our LTR programs.​

  • We also offer open sculling, which is appropriate for scullers who do not require continuous supervision, on certain weekends (coordinated on an ad-hoc basis).

  • Novice Rowers are required to demonstrate proficiency at certain rowing skills before they will be allowed to take out a boat on their own or move into the Intermediate or Competitive programs.

    • See Answer to Question 9 for more information on this requirement.​​​

  • The availability and scale of our novice programs depends on our volunteer coaches, so please reach out to us via email (somdrowing@gmail.com) for our current offerings.

• Intermediate/Recreational rowers have working skills in sculling and/or sweep rowing. Their practices are a great workout, but not directly oriented toward competitive racing.

  • We currently offer Sweep Rowing on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 5:15-7:00 at the St. Mary's College of Maryland River Center Boathouse.

    • During the fall (September-November), these practices shift to evenings (5:15-7:15) due to SMCM use of the boathouse in the mornings.​

  • To attend sweep rowing, athletes need approval from the program lead. Because we do not have a full-time coach available to support practices, all rowers need a baseline level of technical skill and physical fitness in order for practices run smoothly and safely (see the Answer to Question 2, below, for more information).​

  • Intermediate sweep rowers are eligible to compete in regattas, but since our club doesn't have its own boat trailer only a limited number of regattas will have boats available for the club to borrow.

• Competitive rowers train to participate in local regattas.

  • Currently, our competitive program attends the same practices as our Intermediate program, but will often coordinate additional workouts and impromptu practice sessions among themselves. These workouts are made available year-round in order to maintain fitness during the off-season.

  • In order to enter a sculling event at a regatta with SMRA, you must be able to row a racing single independently and have approval from the competitive program lead.

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Q2: What physical shape do I need to be in to row with SMRA?​

A2: Rowing is an extremely physical full-body sport that requires strength and aerobic output, especially at the Intermediate and Competitive levels. We strongly recommend coming to SMRA in good shape and with your physician's blessing. Rowers must also be able to swim unaided.​

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Q3: How do I join?

A3: Contact us at somdrowing@gmail.com to join! SMRA membership runs each calendar year from January 1st through December 31st. Our membership checklist is available for download here, which has our associated fees and required forms. Once you reach out, we'll work with you to figure out which of our programs will be right for you, and to answer any other questions you may have!

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Q4: I'm interested and available for a couple of practices, but I'm not sure I want to join for the whole season. Can I still row with SMRA?

A4: Whether you're visiting temporarily and want to get some time on the water with us, or you're just not sure if you want to make the commitment for a whole season, we'd be more than happy to row with you! We do charge a small "day use fee" for non-members to row with us, which is usually between $10-$20 per practice; current fees can be found in our membership checklist.​

• If you row with us for a couple of practices (including LTR sessions) and then decide to join us, the price of any per-session fees paid will be subtracted from your membership dues for the season!

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Q5: I'm a coxswain who doesn't plan to/want to row. Do I have to pay for a membership?

A5: Absolutely not! We allow coxswains who don't want to row to join our club for free! In the absence of dedicated coxswains, all of our rowers are expected to act as coxswain for one or two practices per season.

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Q6: I'm a college student home for the summer, and I'm afraid membership costs might be out of my price range, especially since I'll only be around for the summer. Can I only pay for a partial membership?

A6: SMRA has a special membership rate for college rowers! We'd love to help you stay in shape and keep your technique while you're away from school. Current rates can be found in our membership checklist.

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Q7: I can't participate in club programs, but I'd still like the opportunity to support the club. Would I still need to pay dues?​

A7: We appreciate any support you might be able to provide! We offer a discounted membership rate for those who would still like to call themselves "Mighty Crabs", but don't expect to attend practices. Current rates can be found in our membership checklist.

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Q8: I have my own boat and practice on my own, but would still like the opportunity to join the club. Would I still need to pay dues?​

A8: One of the great things about Southern Maryland is the abundance of water, and we recognize that there's a sizeable population of people with their own boats who may not be able to make it to our practices, but would still like to join. To that end, we have a couple of options available:

• If you store and row your boat at a different location, we offer a discounted membership for "off-site" rowers. You still get the other benefits of membership, and are welcome to coordinate with other club members to come to regattas and compete as a Mighty Crab.

• If you have your own boat, but don't have anywhere else to store it, we'll gladly make space for it at Chancellor's Point! You'll have complete control over who uses it (and when). In this case, we would ask that you pay full membership dues to cover our general efforts to maintain Chancellor's Point as a rowing site; paying full dues still entitles you to all the benefits of club membership. Additionally, members who keep boats at Chancellor's are expected to take some level of responsibility in caring for the site itself. 

• Current rates for both of these options can be found in our membership checklist.

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Q9: I'm a member who would like to row one of the club-owned sculling boats at a time that suits me. Are there any requirements I need to meet before I can do that?​

A9: Put simply, the one requirement you must fulfill every time you go out on the water is to be safe. To that end, there are a number of rules we have in place:

• Any rower who wants to take a boat out on their own must complete what we call a "Captain's Test". This is meant to demonstrate the following skills:

  • Getting the boat to and from the water without requiring assistance.​

  • Getting in the boat and out to the practice area safely.

  • Maneuvering the boat effectively.

  • Flipping the boat and getting back in without assistance.*

  • Engaging in the various "regimes" of rowing (paddle, steady state, sprint, etc.) safely.

  • Returning to the launch area.

  • Returning the boat to its storage area without requiring assistance.

• *The flipping requirement is often completed as a separate "flip test" in a controlled environment. Both of these tests are required for those who wish to row solo, but only the Captain's Test is required to join the Intermediate or Competitive Programs.

  • The Flip Test is still highly recommended for all rowers, regardless of experience.​

• Be sure to check environmental conditions. Some common considerations include:

  • Light: Boats that go out before sunrise or after sunset are required to have a green/red bow light and white stern light. Additionally, there are times when fog and mist can obscure visibility on the water (particularly in the morning), so lights may be recommended in these situations as well.

  • Wind: Strong winds can push boats off course and potentially cause waves that may swamp or flip small boats. Generally, our practice coordinators consider 6-8 knots the maximum for taking out small boats. This also depends on wind direction.​

  • Temperature: Heat and Cold are both dangerous on the water.

    • Cold Weather: ​Rowing is not allowed if the combined air and water temperature are less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if temperatures reach that threshold, we highly encourage being cautious if air temperatures are colder than 60.

    • Warm Weather: Hydrate often, and apply sunscreen as needed. Rowing may not be allowed if air temperature is over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Biological Conditions: The St. Mary's River is often home to lots of jellyfish in the summer. Additionally, there have been times when health authorities have advised against swimming in the river due to the potential for microbial infection. Please keep these things in mind when planning to go out on the water.​

• Make sure you have everything you need for a safe and productive practice!

  • SMRA highly recommends using a "buddy system" when planning outings: try to go out with at least one other rower on the water (who knows that you're out there and when to expect you to return). Not only does this improve safety for everyone on the water, it also makes launch and recovery easier! Many of our members would love any extra reason to get on the water, so don't be afraid to ask!​

  • If you do end up going out by yourself for any reason, be sure to let someone know when you're going out and what time you plan to be back.

  • Be sure to take any medical necessities (e.g.: epi-pens or emergency inhalers) with you on the water. Additional safety equipment (floatation devices, whistle, etc.) is also a good thing!

• SMRA does not restrict members' usage of their personally owned boats. However, the club does not take responsibility for any safety incidents that occur to a rower in their personally owned boat. We highly recommend boat owners follow these safety guidelines when rowing on their own as well.​

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Q10: Do you have any youth rowing programs?

A10: Unfortunately, we do not offer youth rowing at this time. Rowers under the age of 18 may be allowed to participate in our programs at Chancellor's Point on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to us via email (somdrowing@gmail.com) if you have any questions about this.