Local crew club offers 'experience rowing' event

ENGLEWOOD — The Lemon Bay Crew Club will host an open house and “Experience Rowing” event from 7:30 to 11 a.m. June 1 at Indian Mound Park in Englewood.

The event is free. Many of the club’s members come from beyond Englewood, including Venice and Wellen Park.

The day is designed to “provide the public an introduction to the sport of rowing,” according to a news release about the event. “Rowing may look like an upper body sport but, although upper body strength is important, the power of the rowing stroke comes from the legs...Rowing is one of the few athletic activities that works all of the major muscle groups. It is a low impact workout that provides strength and aerobic training combined.”

Highlights of the event will be instruction in the basics of the rowing stroke on an ergometer (indoor rowing machine) and an introduction to the fleet of rowing shells and rowing terminology.

Participants will then be able to experience rowing and test their new skills by helping experienced rowers crew one of the club’s eight oared 60-foot rowing shells on Lemon Bay.

Participants will have the opportunity to sign up for “Learn to Row” classes, which will begin Saturday, June 8.