Wednesdays it’s crowded at the rowing club
It’s Wednesday afternoon and its crowded on the raft of the club. About 20 children between 10 and 18 years are standing on the raft to go rowing. A group of parents, volunteers and experienced youth rowers are helping them on the water.
Good instructions needed
They make a team format with each other before the boats get in the water. That is a responsible job. The boats are big and heavy and the use and lifting of the boats is regulated. It’s important to give good instructions from the very beginning, so it’s clear that they can’t mess around with this. Most children already have some experience with rowing and know in which boat they will go.
Bright return
After an hour the team sails back in. B. (14) wasn’t looking forward to it at the start, but is now smiling from ear to ear. It was a lot of fun with her mates and she is glad she went. It wasn’t cold and she’s not tired anymore. Together the team mates bring the boat back in the shed and walk back to the dressing room all giggling and smiling.
Individually and in a team
Rowing is a sport that children can get good at in a fast pace. You can rowe individually or in a team. In addition to rowing children learn about responsibility, to work together and to help each other. On each level there are several options: recreational rowing from one to two times a week at the private association, to participate in contests to contest rowing for juniors. Then you even train six times a week.
Addresses
Rowing clubs in Amsterdam, where children from about 10 years old can learn to row, are:
o KARZV de Hoop;
o rowing club Willem III;
o row- and sailing club de Amstel;
o rowing club RIC.
Mirjam van Klink rows with Rowing club RIC.
Photocredits: Mirjam van Klink