Preparing for Class

Before Your First Practice

Join USRowing

USRowing provides insurance for you and the club while you are out on the water.

  1. Go to the USRowing Membership Portal.

  2. Under Individuals, click Join if you are new or Login if you are an existing member.

  3. When creating a membership for a youth rower, please use their information but your email so you get the updates.

  4. Search for the club LOCR or Lake Oswego Community Rowing and use our top-secret club code EJPZZ.

  5. Choose the appropriate membership type (you’ll receive more instructions in your welcome email).

  6. Complete the registration or renewal process by providing your contact and profile information, acknowledging the USRowing membership agreement and waiver, and paying the membership fee.

Complete Safety Information and Waivers

All rowers can view and digitally sign these waivers when registering. The waivers include a Liability Waiver, Medical Consent and Release, Photo Release, and Code of Conduct. Please reach out to us with any questions about the waivers.

Additionally, a USRowing Swim Test (float test) attestation is required for all new rowers. LOCR no longer administers the test or requires that you take it, but by signing the waiver you attest that you are able to meet the swimming requirements, which are as follows:

  1. Deep Water Endurance: I must float, tread water, or swim in place for 10 minutes while wearing attire that I would typically wear while rowing (e.g., T-shirt and shorts or equivalent). Bathing suits are not permitted for this test.

  2. PFD Application: At the conclusion of the 10-minute endurance test, I must put on a personal flotation device (PFD) while still in the water.

The test simulates what would happen if your boat were to flip while you're rowing on the water. Coaches in safety launches are present at each practice and will distribute PFDs (personal flotation devices) to athletes who flip and help guide them either back into their boat, to shore, or into the safety launch.

Join iCREW

This is required for Masters rowers only, not youth.

LOCR uses an app called iCrew to take attendance and make lineups for practice. All masters members need to register for an iCrew account before joining us for a session. We’ll send you information on how to sign up for LOCR’s iCrew in your welcome email.

Additional Resources

Tips for Rowing Success

  1. Timeliness: We absolutely understand that life (and traffic) happens, and you might be running a little late. Please do not hesitate to reach out if anything comes up! Masters and Youth use Slack for communication between coaches and rowers.

  2. Getting on the Water: The hard and fast rule is that we all launch together as a crew with the coach. If you’re running late and the coach’s boat has already left, that practice will be considered missed. Anyone attempting to launch without the coach present will be asked to leave the dock immediately.

  3. Flipping: While no one wants to flip, it will definitely happen at some point. If you flip, it’s crucial that you stay with your boat. The shells are buoyant and make it much easier to identify your location. If you notice another rower has flipped, congregate to that spot to draw further attention to their location. In late fall and early spring, having a set of extra clothes down at the boathouse is strongly recommended. Youth can keep a set of clothes in a plastic bag labeled with their name.

  4. What to wear: Rowing is a full body workout, so make sure to wear clothes that you can move around in. Be aware of weather conditions, too—some days you might want lots of layers and a warm hat, while others you might want to bring sunscreen and sunglasses. We recommend not wearing baggy clothing, as loose shorts (like basketball shorts) will caught in the boat wheel tracks and loose shirts or jackets with open front pockets (like a hoodie) can catch the oars. Spandex shorts and other form-fitting clothing is ideal. Hi-vis clothing is also great for being visible on the water. You’ll generally row in just your socks (the boats have built-in shoes), but you can bring slides or other waterproof shoes to wear on the dock and remove once you’re in the boat. You might want to bring an extra pair of socks or other clothes too if you’re heading somewhere right after practice—it is a water sport, after all!

Regatta Prep

LOCR participates in both local and regional regattas, and athletes will have the most beneficial experience by competing in all regattas for which they are eligible. Regatta entries and fees are separate from membership fees and will be posted and due several weeks in advance of the actual regatta. LOCR determines regatta costs based on historical cost data and current team size, allowing the cost to be spread equally amongst the entire team.

To race as LOCR, you will need to have a current USRowing membership and up-to-date participation waivers and medical forms.

Rower Safety Resources

Coaches make the final call on whether a practice will be canceled due to weather or river conditions, but please familiarize yourself with these safety resources.

You can also see current weather and river conditions here.

Rowing Incident Form

  • Rowing Incident Form: Fill out this form if you and/or your boat have any dangerous incidents while at practice (e.g. running into some rocks, you were injured on dock, etc.).

Where to Find Us

Our warehouse is located at 255 Foothills Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97034.

Our boathouse is located on the Willamette River at Roehr City Park, at 350 Oswego Pointe Dr, Lake Oswego, OR 97034. You can access the path down to the boathouse through the parking lot at The Foundry.