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The Washington State University men’s crew team is sponsoring the third annual Palouse Community Rowing program. This program offers adults and youth ages 12-18 the opportunity to learn how to row.
“In 95 percent of cases, people have never rowed before,” said Arthur Ericsson, coach of the WSU men’s crew team and program coordinator. “And we’ve had UI students in the past so we’d love to keep the momentum going.”
Ericsson moved to the Palouse four years ago from Sacramento where he found success coordinating a similar program. After a year here, Ericsson decided a men’s crew team and the summer program was something he wanted to start again. Ericsson said they had 25 individuals participate in the program last summer.
Adults can learn to row and master’s classes begin May 24.
Learn to row classes are designed to teach novice rowers the basics of the sport.
The master’s crew sessions are offered for people who have background or experience in crew to help refine their skill.
“All the classes are co-ed and we have as many women as men, if not more (in the past),” Ericsson said.
Palouse Community Rowing offers three sessions throughout the summer for a 12-week program. And people who take the learn to row class are also invited to join master’s crew.
People interested in acting as coxswains are also invited to join. Coxswains are smaller individuals who help steer and lead the boat.
This summer Ericsson and the Palouse Community Rowing program are offering classes half price to all college students in the area.
“In order to encourage more college students to try (rowing), we offer half price,” Ericsson said.
Youth classes for children begin June 14. They can participate in a nine-week summer program which includes a three week learn to row class and then a six-week development session. Ericsson said three youths who participated in the summer program have gone on to row in college.
Men from the WSU men’s crew team assist in teaching the classes inside each boat and Ericsson oversees all the boats. The team has five eight-person rowing shells, six four-person and two two-person rowing shells. The classes take place at Wawawai Landing on the Snake River, located on the southeast side of the Lower Granite Dam.
There is one race opportunity in the program.
At the end of the summer, rowing programs from the Palouse, Coeur d’Alene and Spokane meet in Coeur d’Alene for a day of racing which concludes the summer program.
“There (is a) regatta we do,” Ericsson said, “a finale at the end of the summer.”
More information can be found at www.cougarcrew.com. Interested individuals can find maps to Wawawai Landing, information about registration and the basic swim test as well as contact for Ericsson with any further questions.
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