Welcome to the NWRC Rowing School Eddy

The NWRC Rowing School Eddy
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Welcome to the NWRC Rowing School community!

One of the best things about rowing school is spending time on the river with other people who share an interest in rafting. We created this space to help keep those connections going long after your course ends.

Whether you just finished rowing school or took a course with us years ago, we hope you’ll use this forum to stay connected, ask questions, share what you’re learning, and continue developing your rowing skills.

Here are a few things we’d love to see discussed:

  • Rowing techniques: Ask questions about reading water, making moves, running rapids, and improving your rowing.

  • Rafts and gear: Compare boats, frames, oars, rigging setups, and all the equipment that goes along with rafting.

  • River trips: Share trip reports, photos, river conditions, and stories from your adventures.

  • Finding river partners: Connect with other rowing school graduates and find people to get out on the water with.

  • Continuing education: Discuss rescue techniques, river safety, and opportunities to keep learning.

All experience levels are welcome. Some of you are just getting started, while others have been rowing for years. Don’t hesitate to ask basic questions or share your experiences. We can all learn from each other.

Our NWRC instructors and guides will stop by to answer questions and join discussions, but we’d especially love to see this become a place where rowing school graduates help each other.

Introduce Yourself!

A great way to get started is to reply to this post and tell us a little about yourself. When did you attend rowing school? Where do you typically boat? What rivers are you hoping to run next?

Our goal is simple: Rowing school shouldn’t be the end of your learning or your connection to the people you met on the river. We hope this community helps you build friendships, gain confidence, and spend more time on the water.

Thanks for being part of the NWRC community. We’re looking forward to hearing about your adventures!

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Hello Students! I’m excited to hear your stories and answer your questions, but first, a question for you…

What have you learned SINCE you went to rowing school that you wish you’d learned DURING rowing school? (Help us improve our curriculum.)

Thanks and I hope to see you out there!

Steve Welch (aka oldmanriver)

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Howdy Row School Friends!

Mason here, stoked to hear from all y’all in a new way, talk about things, and have a grand old time.

As fall is out in full force these days, with leaves a changing and cooler temps inbound, I wanted to share a few of my cool-weather river necessities.

  1. Thermos

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Having a warm beverage whether it be Coffee, Tea, Cider if your feeling seasonal, or anything else, is one of my favorite things to accompany my water bottle when I’m out on the water and it’s cooler. This one is an old Kleen Kanteen that has served me very well over the years.

  1. Lightweight Neoprene Layers

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Having some lighter neoprene in the 0.5-2mm range can be fabulous for fall weather especially as it gets below 70 degrees. I find that these 1mm leggings do me well while not being too hot and stuffy like thicker neoprene can be. Paired with a splashtop, rain jacket, or drytop leggings are great for staying warm but not too warm while being active and rowing. **This is up to knowing yourself and your body too, if you know you run cold maybe think about thicker neoprene**

  1. Breathable Fleece

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This layer by Immersion Research is one of my fall favorites. It’s made from Polartec® Alpha™ Fleece which is mesh based so it breathes incredibly well. I find it great that it stays light when wet and when paired under a rain jacket, splashtop, or drytop has lots of loft to create extra warmth. Additionally it packs down small being a great add to my daybag.

  1. Space blanket

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Around now is the time I start carrying one of these small lightweight space blankets in my kit. I think they are great to have around since they cost little, take up minimal space, and can be very useful in warming a cold person.

Well those are what came to mind when I was thinking about fall river essentials. I would say a common theme for my picks is that they are useful most when there is a big temperature gradient during the day. When highs are mid-70’s but lows are in the 40’s having versatile gear that can both breathe well and keep one warm when needed is very important.

I would love to hear what y’all think of my picks, and I’d love to hear about yours. So, please share any of your “Fall River Essentials” in this thread!

Thanks, and see you on the river.

-Mason

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