Welcome

Thank you for your interest in joining RocknRow

About us: We're an all volunteer-run club with 70 members, located in Marblehead, MA. 

We have a club fleet of 12 single sculls: 7 Maas Aero’s and 5 Peinert Zephyr’s. and 1 Maas double. In addition, about half of our members own their own boats and store them in the boathouse during the season.

Previous rowing experience is not required - many new members have none.

Our rowing season runs from late May to the end of September, exact dates are weather-dependent. Our ‘boathouse’ is space leased in a commercial marina, so we need to wait until stored boats go into the water in the summer and we have to move out when the boats come back in the fall.

Some members who own their own boats car-top and row in local waters year-round.

We are a recreational club, although there are some members who race.

Dues are $525 for the 2025 season. 

Volunteering. Since we are an all-volunteer club, we expect all members to pitch in, there are lots of ways to do this. Time commitments range from a few hours a season (helping open or close the boathouse, supporting a social event, leading a Sunday row (or picking up the bagels and coffee for after!, etc.); to a couple hours a month (helping with administrative tasks, mentoring new members, organizing off-season pub nights, etc.); to more time-intensive (training new rowers, organizing adventure rows, serving on the board, etc.) Everyone pitches in whatever way they can to keep us operating.

New member orientation and lessons. Orientation and training for new members is required and run by volunteer coaches in May and early June. 

Orientation includes a 90-minute on-land orientation and a 1-hour safety presentation (generally on a weekday evening or Saturday morning), and may include an opportunity to learn to get back into the boat in the warmer environment of a pool at the YMCA!  

Training for new rowers includes one or two half-day on-water training sessions on a weekend, with additional practice and coaching sessions until new rowers are ready to pass their captain’s test. Our coaches are all volunteers with other commitments, and rowing is weather dependent, so scheduling these additional sessions can take time, but most new members have passed their captain’s tests by mid-summer (some sooner, some later.)

New members with sculling experience can take the captain’s test right away but must attend orientation and safety night.

Once new members have passed the captains test, including capsize recovery in the bay, they are eligible to reserve and sign out boats through our electronic reservation system, Regatta Central. 

No member ever rows alone even after passing the captain’s test!

What does the Captain’s test include? The Captain’s test usually includes a 3-mile mile row where new rowers can demonstrate their ability to navigate, move and control the boat effectively, stop quickly when needed, be aware of conditions and boat traffic, and get back in the boat after capsizing.

What personal gear do members need? Safety on the ocean is our first priority. All members must have their own marine radio, wear hi-visibility neon clothing, a whistle or airhorn, and a life jacket or PFD that works for rowing. Please ask for recommendations.

The ROW: Club rules are that no-one rows alone, and we're happy to help you find people to row with. There are also new member rows open once a week, and club rows on Sunday mornings where you can join a group rowing a distance and pace that’s comfortable for you, followed by coffee and bagels back at the boathouse. There are other opportunities for group rows, including the Rockburn - a rower’s choice (10, 15, or 20 mile) group row in July - and occasional adventure rows, where members travel to a location with the boats for an overnight or a weekend to row in new waters. This year’s destinations include Squam Lake, NH in early May and three opportunities to row and camp overnight on Baker’s Island in our home waters. Every year, some members also row in the Blackburn Challenge, a 21 mile row around Cape Ann.

The ROCK: Adventure row outings  and post-Sunday row nosh are opportunities to spend time off the water with other members. There are also several non-rowing social gatherings during the season. These include a welcome reception in early May, a midsummer party, our fall annual meeting, and usually one other event. In the off-season, there is a monthly pub night at various local spots for anyone who wants to attend.

Waitlist for membership. We are currently at capacity but maintain an active waitlist and welcome new members every year as space opens up. 

***If you'd like to be added to our waitlist, please fill out the form below and submit***

RocknRow ‘Open’ Membership.  Are you an experienced sculler in the local area who owns your own boat? Our membership is capped to match the capacity of our dock and boathouse, but we have a new membership category available to experienced scullers who would like to join a community of scullers, but do not need access to club boats, boat storage, training, or the club dock. RnR Open members can join all club rowing and social events, and will be listed in the directory so they can connect with rowing partners.

Please contact us for more information at info@rocknrow.org