Lake Washington Rowing Club’s primary purpose is to further the sport of rowing in the greater Seattle area. The scope of our activities extends from the training of people who have never rowed before to the training and development of Olympic-caliber rowers. The club has programs for recreational and competitive rowing for adults of all ages.

LWRC distinguishes itself from other rowing programs in the area, primarily through an emphasis on mastery of boat-handling skills as well as rowing technique. We value sculling as the principal path to excellence in all types of rowing. The individualized attention available from our coaches as well as the collective depth of experience of our membership will allow you to progress to whatever degree of proficiency you are capable. We also emphasize fellowship and working together toward common goals within the club.

LWRC is a not-for-profit organization, and all members are expected to participate in club work parties, meetings, and equipment maintenance. As a club member, access to the boathouse and use of club equipment is very flexible.

We offer everything from introductory classes for all, members or not, to programs specifically designed for members. Or maybe you are just looking for space to rent for a special party? Check out the links to the left to see what LWRC has to offer for you!

Short History

The Lake Washington Rowing Club has been a part of  Seattle since 1957.  LWRC was started by men who wanted to compete at the 1960 Olympics, in Rome.  A team, representing LWRC,  rowed  in the 1960 Olympic Trials and some went on to represent the U.S. at the Olympic Games that year.  15 years ago dedicated members built a beautiful boathouse, to rival many, on the shores of Lake Union, in the Fremont neighborhood.

Today, our non-profit club is  a place for men and women who love the sport of rowing.   We specialize and excel in masters rowing. Our boathouse is home to post graduate rowers, national champions, mom’s and the newly initiated. We hope to pass on a strong tradition of technical skill and racing acumen, following the examples of our experienced coaches and long time members.   We also strive to build community and support those who have yet to come through our door. LWRC welcomes everyone at any level.

History of LWRC

LWRC was founded in 1957 by a small group of athletes training for international competition. Coached by Stan Pocock they established a tradition of excellence for LWRC by winning gold medals in the 1960 and 1964 Olympic games and the 1959 and 1963 Pan American Games.

Women joined the Club in 1963, and in 1966 a group of nine LWRC women hosted and won the first National Women’s Rowing Association (NWRA) Championships. In 1969 the LWRC women again won the NWRA Championships, and became the first USA women’s crew to travel to Europe to compete in the World Championships.

Recreational and masters rowers and scullers since the 1970’s have swelled the membership of LWRC, bringing with them a wide variety of organizational and professional skills as well as a considerable measure of stability and support.

Until 1975, LWRC operated from rowing facilities located on the University of Washington campus. In 1975 LWRC purchased a floating slip that was previously used for yacht building. After four months of labor by dedicated club members the slip was transformed into the LWRC floating boathouse. This boathouse could only house a few fours, doubles, and singles, and was always considered a temporary home. Even with minimal facilities, LWRC membership grew rapidly to more than 200 people.

In 1987, LWRC leased an unimproved warehouse in the Fremont area of Seattle. Members again pitched in, converting an empty warehouse into a boathouse, and constructing a dock suitable for launching racing shells.

In 1995 LWRC realized a longstanding goal with the dedication of a beautiful boathouse on the north shore of Lake Union. This is also one of the largest boathouses in the Puget Sound Area. The Club continues to maintain the floating boathouse on Garfield Street that was used as a temporary home.

Our coaching pool includes: Frank Cunningham, Hugh Lade, Bill Tytus, JohnTytus, Theresa Batty, Adam Carlton, Doug Nelson, Molly Zeaske, and HowardLee.

The cost of these programs will be $100 for 2 days a week and $130 for 3days a week. You may mix and match if you wish.  Click on PROGRAMS (menu bar) to read more about our rowing programs.

LWRC member Melissa Hayes is sending out invitations to join Roster Manager to all known participants in both Rowing 1 or Rowing 2 programs. If you do not receive the Roster Manager invitation by Monday then please contact Jen at
jen.rucier@lakewashingtonrowing.com or 206-547-1583 and give her your name, email and a note to add to Roster Manager.

Overview of Fall Schedule:

Monday PM - Evening League at 6:30 PM. Primarily a group of experienced scullers and sweep rowers. Contact coach Molly Zeaske for questions about whether the the program will work for you -molly.zeaske@wamu.net

Tuesday AM – Rowing 1 and 2 SWEEP at 5 AM. Must have some sweep experience to join. Use Roster Manager to participate. Contact John Tytus -jtytus@hotmail.com for questions about the program.

Wednesday AM – Sculling 1 and 2 at 5:30 AM. Must have completed a Learn to Row 2 class or show basic competency in a wherry. Show up self boated. Contact Hugh Lade with any questions- blade1x@comcast.net

Wednesday PM – Open row at 6:30 PM. Everyone welcome….FREE. Contact Howard Lee with questions – howard.lee@spoken.com

Thursday AM – RACE DAY at 5:30 AM…FREE Coaches will be present to start and observe the races. All welcome. Strongly suggested for members of Rowing 1 and 2 sweep programs.. We encourage small boat rowing, sweep or scull. Boat Reservation sign up on Captains’ Bulletin Board. Come self boated, with a way to time yourself and ready to race.  A number of courses can be raced and you may race multiple times. Contact your program coaches for suggestions on lineups if needed.

Thursday PM – Evening League at 6:30 PM

Saturday AM – Sweep and Sculling at 6:30 AM. Gather for discussion on technical focus of the week, before ‘hands on’. Use Roster Manager to participate.

Happy rowing!

 Rowing is a rewarding sport, a unique balance of technique, fitness and character.  Learn to Row classes at LWRC are for beginners. They are open to members and non members.  Classes are scheduled to fit into your day. They start in March and go through November.    Click here for more information.

Get the Most Out of Your Membership

 The following programs are available to all club members. There are opportunities to be a part of a sweep team, train with a group of experienced scullers or focus on technique.  The programs are organized into 3 seasons; spring, summer and fall.  We do not offer a winter season program but many members are rowing throughout the winter months.  Please see the season dates and the programs below. Contact Jen to sign up for a program via email or call 206-547-1583

Spring:  February 7th – April 30th

Summer:  May 1st – July 31st

Fall: August 15 – November 7th

Program Fees:

$100 per season for Sculling

$150 per season for Sweep Teams

$150 per season for Evening League (sweep and sculling)

$150 for unlimited access to programs in a season

10% discount for paying all three seasons up front before April 1st, 2010.

	Novice Sweep & Sculling *New in 2010- is a newly formed group of novices interested in eventually moving into our experienced sweep and sculling rowing programs.  New members are welcome at the beginning of each season, after completing Learn to Row classes.  Sweep Tu/Th 7:15 AM  Coach: Bill Skilling.  Sculling M/W 7:15 AM Coach: Theresa Batty & others.  Call LWRC office for fees as they vary for members and non-members.
	Open Women and Masters Men Sweep Team is a group rowers of varying ages and skill levels from 1-2 years of sweep rowing experience  to National Champions. Tues/Thurs 5:00 AM/Sat 6:30 am $150/season for all members.  Coaches: Lia Prins and Bill Skilling
	Sculling A training group for all from intermediate to advanced-level rowers. The purpose of this group is to improve your rowing through conditioning and technique, with an emphasis on sculling and small-boat handling. Group is divided into three groups depending on intensity of work out.  Wed 5:30 AM and Sat 6:30 AM $100/season.  Coaches: Bill Tytus, Frank Cunningham, Hugh Lade and various assistants.
	Senior Masters Women welcomes all experienced sweep rowers. We are a group of women masters rowers of varying (yet older) ages and skill levels who want to improve our rowing and race. M/W/F 5-7 AM $150/season. Coaches: Theresa Batty and Doug Nelson
	Evening League Early morning practice a little too early for you? Got to be at work when New York opens? The Evening League is a mix of Rowing 2 and Sculling 2.  Scullers and sweep rowers are invited to join the evening league for great sport and good fun.  Mon/Tues/Thurs 6:30-8pm $150/season.  Coach: Molly Zeaske
	Martha’s Moms The Moms have been rowing competitively since the early 1980s. Women 27 years and older with some rowing experience may try out for the team. Coach: Katie Gardner