Olympia Area Rowing is situated on Budd Inlet, at the southern-most reach of Puget Sound. It is bordered by the stately trees of Priest Point Park, grand homes and cottages, marinas, restaurants and even a golf course. Gull Harbor, accessible only at high tide, is tucked away on the far side of a sand bar just to the northwest. The waters are home to playful harbor seals, perky geoducks (clams), and smacks of jellyfish, while eagles, herons, gulls and other water birds skim across the waves. Many mornings the water is flat/calm, with very little boat traffic. An ideal place for a morning row.
High School Rowing
Youth between 9th and 12th grade can participate in the high school program. Coaches work with rowers to help them continue to build physical fitness, mental strength, team skills, independence, confidence, and life skills. Practice sessions focus on multi-rower team boats and have a moderate coach-to-rower ratio. Competition plays a larger focus on the team and while not required, everyone is encouraged to compete. Learn more here.
| Weekly Practices | Season | Practice Days/Times | Ability to compete | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 sessions | Feb 7 – May 23 | M W F 3:45p – 6:00p | Home Only | $425 |
| 5 sessions | Feb 7 – May 23 | M T W Th F 3:45p – 6:00p | Home & Away* | $775 |
Middle School Rowing
Youth in 7th and 8th grades can participate in the middle school program. Coaches work with rowers to help them learn sculling skills, feel comfortable, and gain confidence in a fun, no-stress environment of their peers. Practice sessions focus on 1-rower boats (sometimes 2-rower boats) and have a small coach-to-rower ratio. Learn more here.
| Season | Practice Days/Times | Competition | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 14 – Apr 23 | M W F 6:00p – 8:00p | 1 End-of-Season | $390 |
Adult Coached Team
Those wishing to participate in coached sessions must be members of OAR. The skill levels are structured to accommodate rowers of all goals/interests. As such, they are rather fluid: rowers may be one level in a 1x and another level in a team boat. Learn more here.
Season fees cover the cost of coaching and are structured to accommodate schedules/needs. The expectation is that rowers are attending 3 coached sessions/week. Competitions are all optional and with additional fees.
- Punch Card (15 punches): $225
- Per Month: March $60, April $120, May $120, June $120
- Whole Season: $325
| Season | Practice Days/Times |
|---|---|
| Mar 15 – Jun 30 | T from 6:00p – 8:00p Th from 6:00p – 8:00p Sa from 7:00a – 9:00a Sa from 9:00a – 11:00a Su from 8:00a – 10:00a |
| Apr 19 – Jun 19 | (add the following to the schedule) T from 5:45a – 7:30a Th from 5:45a – 7:30a |