Next Course at Falcon BC

Beginners’ courses
for 2022

updated 22nd Mar 2022

** Course F22-1 underway**

The cost of a full course for 2022 will remain £160.

The recent course has attracted 35 attendees – a record.   Due to these numbers, the course will continue into June to accommodate all the sessions which are required to allow everyone to complete a decent number of sessions.  This year, I had intended to offer 2-3 courses subject to numbers, events and personal commitments.  However, the size of this new intake will put pressure on equipment and coaching time.  A second course won’t be considered until later in the summer and then only subject to the state of the club dealing with so many new members.

The schedule is regularly reviewed according to my availability and the situation of the club.  This year, I am embarking on a potential relationship with a college in Florida which may require me to be away more than usual.

We don’t run courses over the winter months so we are looking at potential dates next Spring.  We are monitoring membership numbers and this will be a factor in the provision of courses in the future.  Given commitments elsewhere and taking into account when the clocks change (end-March), I am targeting a start date of early April for the next course.

Recently, I have tried redesigning courses around sculling (with an oars in each hand) in stable boats of four people (plus a steering person called a cox).  Although this provides you with a better introduction to rowing, unfortunately it requires twice as much of my time than working in a rowing boat (with a single oar per person) for eight people.  This adaptation is no longer tenable with the numbers applying.  I still expect a proportion of the course to cover both rowing and sculling so that everyone will have competence in both aspects of this sport.

All courses – consisting of over 20 sessions – will run over 6-8wks according to the number of sessions offered per week.  There may be interruptions due to my other commitments (often rowing related) during any course.  These won’t impact on the number of sessions you will be offered, only the period over which the course will extend.

I shall always endeavour to be as flexible as I can about precisely when people start each course but I need to try to maintain a minimum range of standards within each group.  Normally, I try to offer people start dates over a couple of weekends at the beginning of the schedule.  I also circulate a proposed timetable before the start of each course but this is in outline only and is usually out of date within a couple of weeks.

Taster Days (see below) are usually only offered on the start dates of new courses although there will be more than one “start date” for each course to allow some flexibility for you and for me.  So there will be opportunities for people to attend these one-off days but only at these times.  I shall post dates here and Tweet them (@OxfordRowCoach).

Please be sure to advise me by email (john@oxfordrowcoach.co.uk) if you wish to be kept informed about new course dates.  All those already on my email list will be contacted with updates automatically.  Announcements will also be made from my Twitter account (@OxfordRowCoach).

Booking a place
Courses don’t usually fill up although this last course suggests I should review this claim!  Normally, sessions are just rescheduled to accommodate however many people apply.  Click here  for details of how to reserve your place.  N.B.  Don’t just email me!

There are some people who have already paid deposits.  They will retain credit against any future course.
N.B. If you wish to claim a refund, please contact me at john@oxfordrowcoach.co.uk with your bank details and the approximate date of your deposit payment.  (I have records of payments but would appreciate a steer on when to check for your transaction.)

Taster Days (structure)
Taster Days can be attended as a stand-alone experience of the sport of rowing or as the initial sessions of a full course.  The content is the same and won’t include any “on the water” experience on the first day.  You will be invited back for that, if you wish to (see below*).  The cost of a Taster Day is £30 with the Taster Day fee credited against the course costs if you go ahead with the full programme.
Any start date announced can constitute a Taster Day.  There is usually a modest choice of dates on which people are invited to start their course – particularly if numbers become excessive – although I do encourage everyone to attend as early as possible.
Anyone unable to attend on the dates announced, may be able to join soon afterwards, provided they can attend a catch-up session with me beforehand.  (N.B. This isn’t always easy to organise with my other commitments.)
Taster Days consist of a series of sessions (amounting to around 4 hours in total), based around general principles, the use of a rowing machine and, providing it’s available, some time in the Tank (an indoor rowing facility like a sitting alongside a swimming pool and holding an oar).
* – Recent experience has shown that it is better to avoid the stress of trying to get people onto the water on their first day.  This removes any rush to acquire the necessary – and considerable – skills that need to be taught before being able to handle a boat.  Those wanting only a taste of the sport may therefore be invited back to have a water experience on a subsequent date.

I have also introduced free access to my coaching videos (see https://www.oxfordrowcoach.co.uk/online-coaching-videos/) which can serve as a back-up to your live teaching experience.

Apart from the first days of a course, further Taster Days are rarely offered and then only when they can fit in with the smooth, ongoing development of those already rowing.

During a course, my own rowing commitments must take priority, as they involve others who may depend on my availability.  You will be kept informed in good time about any variations to the course schedule.

See this overview for an overview of how the course will work.  This also explains how you should deal with any absences due to your own holidays and other pre-existing or ad hoc commitments.

Courses are run subject to viable numbers (minimally 12 and preferably 15+ persons).  Each session may be tailored to the number and competences of those available.  All dates are provisional and outings on the river may be compromised by outside factors including weather and flooding.