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Update on SRRA Water Access

We are awaiting a response from two venue options:

  • Felts Field (near the GU Boathouse on the Spokane River
  • Picnic Pines at Silver Lake.

SRRA has requested an area to lease near the Gonzaga boathouse from the Airport Board. We had positive meetings with the Properties Specialist and she thought it our request would be approved by the Board. However she is very short staffed and has been unable to move the request forward. I continue to call and e-mail her.

Additionally, SRRA has made positive contact with the owner of the Picnic Pines site on the north end of Silver Lake. This is an abandoned RV park on private land, and the owners seemed comfortable with our proposal to row from their land this summer. That said, the deal has not been finalized with them either.

These are the two most promising options in the local area, but neither have come to fruition yet.

Our new coach Maddy Madison and the Learn to Row Committee have developed a learn to row program and are excited to deploy it when we get confirmation of a site. Boat mtc days went wellThis past weekend. Thanks for the couple people who were able to assist and to Peggy for hosting it at her home.

Rowing opportunities:

PORPA (Pend Oreille Rowing and Paddling Assoc. www.PORPA.org ) will be holding a rowing session every Sunday morning at the Priest River and is happy to host SRRA rowers. You will need to sign a liability waiver on the PORPA web site. I will post these opportunities on iCrew and folks can show attending if they want to join the fun.

CdA Rowing (cdarowing.org ) offers affiliate membership for $200/year. Members can check out boats with others and row at any time/day on Lake Fernan.

SRRA may arrange to bring some boats to the Silver Lake public boat launch (north end) and row on a weekday evening (fewer other boats out then).

Your SRRA Board continues to strive toward our goal of a safe and convenient rowing site, thanks for your patience.

Gayne Sears, President
srra@spokanerowing .org

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When can we get on the water in 2023? – Updated May 22

SRRA is embarking on a new organizational phase in 2023. We are still working on finalizing agreements to offer masters rowing at Picnic Pines* on Silver Lake (see directions below) for at least June, and with Spokane Airport to lease land near the GU Boathouse on the Spokane River at Felts Field. We have hired a new coach (more on that in a separate post); we are working on offering Learn to Row in July, and we expect to offer 3-6 sessions on the water each week beginning in July. Schedules will be posted on the SRRA Calendar and in iCrew, but most likely for June it will be 1-2 afternoon (5:30-7:30 pm) and Saturday morning.

We will need members to assist at least 2 spring volunteer days, one in early May and one in early July to get the sites set up and ready to go.

SRRA uses iCrew for registration and scheduling. If you are not registered with iCrew, you will need to request a registration code from SRRA@spokanerowing.org in order to complete your iCrew registration at https://icrew.club/register?club=SRRA. If you haven’t already, please also register for our mailing list for updates and event announcements that are not iCrew related.

REMINDER: you can only get on the water after registering, paying, and completing the various safety and insurance documents and trainings. It might be a bit daunting at first, but once it’s done it’s done!  See details at Membership.

*please note- Picnic Pines is not open to the public, SRRA is renting space and only SRRA members will have access during specified times. Directions to this site will be posted in iCrew.

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SRRA Annual Meeting – 2023

Come one, Come all! Please join your friends and fellow rowers at SRRA’s Annual Meeting. Members, families, interested folks are all welcome. It will be a fun evening with “Get To Row You BINGO” and lots of information about the 2023 rowing and learn to row opportunities.
 
Tuesday 2 May 2023 7-830 pm
 
Valley YMCA
MULTI PURPOSE ROOM
2421 N Discovery Pl
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
 
We will share:
    • Opportunities and dues for rowing in 2023
    • New site options,
    • Plans for a learn to row course
    • Financial status and budget for the year
    • Plans for coaching and recruiting events
    • Diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts
    • Ideas for increased social gatherings,
    • Club opportunities for volunteering
    • How to use iCrew,
    • Early season safety
    • Hold an election for new Board members.

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Do you want to Learn-to-Row in 2023?

The Spokane River Rowing Association (SRRA) strives to make rowing accessible to people of every background and ability; and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all we do.

Learn-to-Row summer sessions are for anyone (age 18 and older) who is interested in trying a new sport and adding a fun dimension to their summer schedule. Swimming skills are important, but SRRA will provide personal flotation devices for less competent swimmers.

SRRA likely be conducting our 2023 Learn-to-Row classes during the month of July, final schedule is TBA. Please let us know your interest by sending an email with your contact information to Interested in LTR.

Learn to Row sessions include coached lessons on the ergometer (rowing machine) and on-the-water sessions in eight and four person rowing shells! We cover rowing stroke and boat safety, basic boathouse terminology, boat and oar handling skills, with the majority of the class focused on rowing stroke technique on the rowing machine and in the boat with other rowers. Participants also receive a Spokane River Rowing tech T-shirt (value $25). Current SRRA rowers offer mentorship and welcome new rowers to continue to learn with them on the water for the remainder of the summer.

Some details:

  • All registrants must be 18 or older by the end of 2023.
  • For two or more registrants in the same family, the second family member is half price! 
  • Location:  TBD but likely on the Spokane River at 7200 E. South Riverway Ave Spokane, WA 99202 see directions here.
  • Cost: TBD but in the $200-$250 range
  • SRRA encourages all interested adults to try Learn to Row regardless of financial ability. Contact srra@spokanerowing.org for more information on financial assistance for registration and/or transportation costs.
  • If you are looking for junior rowing, please check with Coeur d’Alene Rowing at CDArowing.org. 
  • Pend Oreille Rowing and Padding Association also offers adult and youth introduction to rowing classes. www.porpa.org 
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Coach V Demonstrates How to Re-enter a Single

Now that Learn to Row is over for the season there will be more an more opportunities to try your hand in small boats.  A critical skill for anyone rowing a single or double is boat re-entry.  We’ve all flipped before!

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When can we get on the water? Long Spring Runoff — Silver Lake Rowing in 2022

Well the spring run off on the Spokane River is not expected to subside to rowable conditions for a few more weeks. SO, SRRA is shifting gears to give us the opportunity to get on the water in mid June at Silver Lake.

This means we need to move some boats. We plan to do this on Monday 13 June. I have entered a session in iCrew from 5:30- 7:30 pm we will need at least 6 people to help de rig, load the trailer and unload at Silver Lake (GU Johnson Family boathouse). 

After that, the plan is for rowing sessions:

    • Monday and Thursday evenings 5:30-730ish,
    • Wednesday mornings 5:45- 7:30 ish 
    • Saturday morning 8-10.

Specific times will be posted by Coach Voorheees in ICrew.  I am excited to get to row at this facility, it has a great dock and  Silver Lake is a cool new place to row. Thanks to GU for sharing!

REMINDER: you can only get on the water after registering, paying, and completing the various safety and insurance documents and trainings. It might be a bit daunting at first, but once it’s done it’s done!  See details at Membership.

DIRECTIONS TO JOHNSON FAMILY BOATHOUSE
PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
11410 Silver Lake South Rd.
Medical Lake, WA 99022

Take Interstate 90 West to Exit 270 onto SR-904 West toward Four Lakes, Cheney
Continue on to SR-904
Turn right onto W. Medical Lake Four Lakes Rd
Turn left onto W Silver Lake Rd.
Turn left onto Silver Lake South Rd
Continue on for half a mile. Destination will be on your right.

link to directions:
https://gozags.com/sports/2018/6/12/sports-m-rowing-spec-rel-directions-boathouse-html.aspx

Gayne Sears

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Hot! Hot!! Hot!!!

Due to the high temperatures, we will be rowing in the mornings this week.

6/29/21 Tue and 7/01/21 Thu 6:00AM to 8:00AM.

Saturday is till 7:00AM to 9:30AM.

See you then!

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We’re Back!

SRRA Resumes June 14th 5:30 – 7:30 PM!

We had a good turnout for the Boat Maintenance Day on Saturday, and we are Ready to Row!

Since most of us have not been in a shell for over a year, the coaches are going to help us get our confidence back by providing Learn to Row 2.0 for our sessions in June. We’ll be polishing the rust from our basic boat handling, rowing technique, entering and exiting the boats, steering, water safety, etc.  It will be a great opportunity to ask all your questions, remember which is starboard and which is port, how to orient the oar locks, and get us off on the right path to a great summer of rowing!

Rowing sessions will be:

  • MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY evenings 5:30p-7:30p, and
  • SATURDAY mornings 7:00a-9:30a. 

We will assess the interest for additional sessions for the remainder of the summer. We are working on session sign-up software, but for now just show up 5 minutes early so coaches can have time to set up boat line ups.  

Additionally, we will be asking members that want to row a single at a certain practice to reserve the boat. This will be a first come first serve procedure, though the actual process to make a reservation will be rolled out in the coming weeks. 

We will be practicing COVID safety. Those who are not fully vaccinated will need to self identify and practice mask wearing and social distancing. Reserving a single will be the rowing option available for un-vaccinated.

Tasks before hitting the water:

    • Make your annual membership donation ($100) before coming out to row, or bring a check on your first day. You can make your Membership Donations to SRRA ($100) at PayPal Giving Fund for SRRA.
    • Please link to USRowing Membership to check on your USRowing Waiver and Membership Status (if you need to renew your membership, only the Basic membership is needed).  If you need to affiliate with Spokane River Rowing Association, our Club Code is QT79N.
    • Please download and complete the Medical Info sheet and bring with you to the boathouse.

Location:  Meet at the gate west of Park on 7200 E South Riverway  https://www.spokanerowing.org/wp/directions/

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Avalon West Coast Summer Rowing Camp

An additional rowing/learning opportunity shared by Marnie:

We are thrilled to announce the Avalon West Coast Summer Rowing Camp for 2021 !

What? (with a note of surprise)

3 day sweep and sculling camp in beautiful Coeur D’Alene, Idaho (Spokane, WA airport) over the last weekend of July. Arrive Thursday, July 29th to be on the water Friday morning July 30th through midday Sunday, Aug 1st. At least 5 on water sessions with video review.

Why? (if you need to know)

Because the West Coast Mafia (disruptive subgroup of Avalonians) demanded a camp closer to home and Sally’s motto is “All Hail the West Coast Mafia”

Who? (sneak preview: YOU)

Open to all vaccinated rowers.
Expert coaches will be Holly Metcalf, Abby Peck, and Sally O’Connor, accompanied by coxswains and wranglers to keep all boats pointed in the right direction.

When? (now we’re getting serious)

We covered that in “What” because people needed to know. If you missed it: Arrive Thursday, June 30th to be ready to row Friday am, July 31st. Finish midday on Sunday, August 1st.

Where? (where is that place and how the heck do you pronounce it?)

The camp will take place on calm and serene Lake Fernan close to the charming downtown of Coeur D’Alene, with reasonably priced hotel accommodations within a few miles. The best airport for camp is Spokane, WA, about an hour away. This small Idaho town is in a leisure-magnet area with access to hiking, biking and lakes. The downtown area has good food and eclectic shops.
I’m not going to touch the pronunciation question.

How? (Please please please let me know how to sign up for this!)

The cost is $750, not including accommodations.

We need at least 16 committed rowers to run the camp. If you are interested and/or would like more information, please email Rachel Kindt, rmkindt@yahoo.com with any questions and to get on the list by Jun 11th. One we have quorum we will request a $250 deposit, and more information will be forthcoming.

Please forward to any rowers you think would be interested!

In good rowing,
Rachel and Sally