Interested in Rowing?


Nelson Rowing Club welcomes rowers from College age onwards.  Our members range in age from 13 years into their 80's and we all enjoy a friendly and social club culture.


What do we do?  The rowing activities of the Club include:

  • Sweep oar rowing (in pairs, fours and eight’s)
  • Sculling (in singles, doubles, quads and octuple)
  • Rowing and sculling coaching
  • Fitness training
  • Competitive rowing and sculling (at Regattas and Head Races)
  • Recreational rowing and sculling
  • Learn to Row (junior and master)
  • Corporate Rowing

Our regular training ground is inside the Nelson Haven where we row along the Boulder Bank.  At specific times we also row on The Traverse at Rabbit Island.  The Club has a lodge at Lake Rotoroa in the Nelson Lakes National Park. It is used for training camps throughout the summer months.​


What is the commitment level expected of our rowers?

  • Our competitive college rowers are experienced athletes who train between 5-7 times per week (on water and erg sessions).
  • Our Novice or first year college athletes train between 3 and 6 times per week.
  • The club has a growing number of Masters and recreational rowers who may row once or twice a week or when they have the time.  There is currently a keen group of Masters rowers who meet at the club each Sunday morning.  Come of our Masters rowers are very competitive and train to compete in regattas around New Zealand.


How fit do you have to be to row?

Rowing is an excellent way of introducing a fitness activity into your lifestyle if you do not currently undertake a sport.  You don't need to be super-fit to take part but if you want to compete at regattas, then a good level of fitness will be required.  The training schedule is devised to help all levels of rowers and scullers get in shape to compete.

It is essential that you are capable of swimming at least 50-100 metres in light clothing.​


Click here for more information on our entry level Learn to Row programme.