2026 Programs

Instructor: Kal Imlay, Creighton University Women’s Rowing Assistant Coach

Dates: June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30, July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28

—Goal is to establish a baseline level of competence and technical knowledge of the sport of rowing, and  to develop enough skill to train independently of instruction

—Designed for both recreational rowers and those interested in competition

—Will focus on sweep rowing (one oar per rower) but may include sculling (two oars per rower) instruction later in the season

—Sessions taught with instructor in launch

—Minimum of one session per week on Tuesdays at 6pm, June through August, concluding at the start of Creighton University's Women’s Rowing fall season

—Options available for private, one-on-one coaching sessions

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Beginning after the Learn to Row event in June, Kal Imlay (Assistant Coach, Creighton University Women’s Rowing) will run a course teaching the fundamentals of the sport of rowing to anybody of any experience level, aged 14 and up. During this course, participants will be coached on a variety of basic rowing techniques and skills, with the goal being to develop enough baseline ability to self-instruct and row independently of a coached launch. The instruction will be made beneficial to both recreational rowers and those interested in racing later on in the Fall regatta season.

Rowers will be instructed primarily on sweep rowing (one oar per rower, sided port/starboard) for the first half of the course; we may transition more toward sculling (two oars per rower) later on in the season once basic skills are developed. We will seat participants in boats depending primarily on skill level and individual goals for their involvement in the sport. The plan is for all of these practices to be taught “from the launch,” meaning the instructor teaches from a motorized boat separate from the rowing shell in order to maximize visibility and instructional quality, and to ensure the safety of participants.

The Rowing Fundamentals course will run a minimum of one day per week, on Tuesdays from 6pm until 8pm or sunset, whichever comes later. Practices may be rescheduled for another day each week in the case of inclement weather. The number of practices per week may increase if there is sufficient interest, and also pending Kal’s bid to race at the Head of the Charles (see below for details). 

In addition, any rower who is actively enrolled in ORA (Rowing Fundamentals or Masters) and who signs up to race in a Fall regatta will be eligible for free private instruction for race preparation by Coach Kal. Individuals who want or need private instruction but do not intend to race may arrange for such instruction with Coach Kal on a case-by-case basis.

This course will be conducted in a time-sensitive manner due to the difficulty inherent in adding or swapping rowers into a boat after it is launched. There will thus be firm deadlines for when participants need to RSVP for, and show up to, each session, and there will be a cutoff time for when boats are launched on practice days in order to maximize productive time on the water.

This course will run from the start of the season in June through the middle of August, concluding at the beginning of the Creighton University Women’s Rowing Fall season. At this point, the plan is for another ORA coach to continue running practices with participants until the end of the ORA season in November. The exact date of that changeover is TBD depending on the start date for Creighton University’s fall season. Members who reach an adequate level of competence as a rower may opt to join the ORA Masters group at this point (confirmation is necessary because the Masters typically row without a safety launch).

Finally, participants in this course should be aware that Kal is submitting a bid to enter into the 2026 Head of the Charles Regatta, which takes place in Cambridge, MA in October. Pending the results of this application, which is determined on a lottery system, the instructor for this course may be reassigned due to the extensive training schedule that this regatta demands. The status of this bid will not be released until July 2026, so Coach Kal will be the instructor for this course at least until then.

All new or experienced rowers, I gladly welcome you to the Rowing Fundamentals course. Hope to see you at the boathouse!

This group rows competitively but also has many seasoned rowers and scullers that participate without competing. Adult rowers who have gained enough skills can move into this experienced group.

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• Tuesdays & Thursdays 6-8 PM

• And at individual discretion

Youth must be:

• at last 12 years of age

• not turning 19 in the current calendar year and in high school.

• able to carry 35 pounds above their head

Summer Session: June - August 15

Fall Session: August 16 - October 31

Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-8 PM

Rain or shine! If the coaches deem the weather unsafe for being on the water, the juniors will plan for a land based practice.

🧠 Mental & Emotional Benefits

• Discipline & resilience: Training teaches commitment, goal-setting, and perseverance.

• Confidence building: Athletes see measurable progress and gain pride in mastery.

• Stress management: Time on the water promotes focus and mental clarity.

• Growth mindset: Athletes learn to handle setbacks and improve through feedback.

🤝 Social & Character Development

• Teamwork: Success depends on trust, communication, and shared effort.

• Accountability: Athletes learn responsibility to their teammates and coaches.

• Leadership opportunities: Rowers develop leadership both in and out of the boat.

• Inclusive environment: Rowing welcomes a wide range of body types and athletic backgrounds.

Click here to register