For Adults
Q. I am interested in learning more about rowing. Do I need to be a Member?
A. No. ORRA offers multiple Learn to Row sessions for adults, several times a year, with no requirement to be a Member. The structure is inclusive, in team boats, to develop an understanding of the fundamentals in a relaxed atmosphere. You may complete one or more Learn to Row sessions, at your leisure, before deciding if you want to pursue a full time membership.
Q. I’d like to join ORRA. Can I join as an (adult) individual?
A. Yes. Adult memberships are structured to support both individuals as well as families, and there are easy categories for this. Just you? Join as a Category 1 member. Is there another adult family member that also wants to row? Add them as a Category 1B member.
Q. Can I participate in coached programs without being a Member?
A. Yes and no. For example, the Learn to Row sessions are coached by licensed/accredited coaching staff with SafeSport training, CPR training, a State of Tennessee boating license, liability insurance, and all of those other items that ensure that you have a safe, well-structured experience. Those do not require Membership. However, if you want to continue in coached programs, from the Development through Competitive programs, you will need to be a Member in Good Standing. Note that ORRA offers, on a less regular basis, other Adult programs that might include, for example, a High Performance or Advanced Skills Camp with a combination of in-house and visiting staff. These items are available to both Members and Guests (non-Members).
Q. I’ve rowed competitively for years, and would love to participate in competitive rowing at Oak Ridge. Do I need to be a Member? Do I need to be in a coached program to compete?
A. For persons to compete as part of the Atomic program, they do need to be a Member in Good Standing. However, you do not have to explicitly participate in coached programs to compete. We have Members that compete nationally in the Masters classification without being in the Competitive program sessions.
Q. I’d like to work with one of ORRA’s coaches on a private basis. Do I need to be a Member?
A. In general, yes. The ORRA coaches are on-staff, covered by insurance, and using ORRA equipment (shells, oars, launches, electronics and other items). Private lessons are absolutely available to Members. However, any arrangement between an ORRA coach and an individual that is not an ORRA Member would require advance ORRA approval to specifically address those circumstances.
Q. I’m not currently a Member, but may travel to Oak Ridge on occasion and would like to row. How can I use the facilities?
A. We offer several ways to handle this, based on your situation. If this is infrequent, just contact us about using the docks as a Guest. We treat the daily Guest fee as a suggested donation. As a Guest, if you need equipment, boathouse access, temporary boat storage, or other items, please contact us in advance and we’ll see how we can accommodate those requests. If you live outside of the immediate Oak Ridge area, whether you are TDY to Oak Ridge for work, if you have family in the area, or similar, we offer a Non-local Rower Membership that gives you all the access/equipment/program/coaching privileges of a regular Member at a substantial discount. We also welcome rowers from other programs that are in Oak Ridge for whatever reason to contact our Program Director about anything from suggestions on how to best enjoy a solo row on Melton Lake to jumping in a competitive practice session.
Q. If I want to participate in on-land training, do I need to be a Member?
A. In general, yes. As a Member, you receive full access to the facilities, including physical access to the boathouse and fitness equipment, on your schedule. ORRA does have a special exception, offering a non-Member option during the Adult Winter session that is a coached program. In that session, non-Members are encouraged to join other adult participants for a regular program that includes stretching, strength training, and aerobic fitness in a mostly-indoor setting. The Winter program is in the evenings and runs from December through Daylight Savings Time.
Q. I see references to Regatta Central. What is that?
A. Regatta Central is a web-based portal for more than 100 rowing programs in the United States. It is broadly used to distribute information and clubs, programs, regattas, and camps. ORRA uses it to manage registration for Members, Programs and Camps. We also host several regattas including Dogwood Juniors and Dogwood Masters, and all participating teams use Regatta Central to register for those events.
You can visit Regatta Central from any browser to complete your Member registration.
Q. I still have a question. Who can help me?
A. Please send an email to info@orra.org and we’ll get right back to you!
For Youth
Q. How old does my child need to be to start rowing?
A. The majority of the youth that enter the Novice Program are between the ages of 13 and 17. ORRA does offer introductory programs that include Learn to Row sessions, summer camps, and other opportunities that we extend to youth that are 12. We can make limited exceptions on a case by case basis. Please contact our Program Director in this instance.
Q. My child loved Atomic’s Summer Camp as an introduction to rowing and wants to continue. What are our next steps?
A. Sign up for Membership Category 3. This is for first-season, whether Fall or Spring, and is a no-cost Membership item, incurring only the coached program cost element. ORRA wants to ensure that these young athletes have the opportunity to determine if rowing is for them, without the parent/guardian facing an accompanying membership fee for that first season.
Q. My child loved their first Fall season and is eagerly looking forward to the Spring, and the opportunity to develop and compete in the sprint-race portion of the season. What are our next steps?
A. Second-season athletes do need to be Members. We provide several ways to accomplish this. If you are already a Member, simply add your child to your existing Membership (Category 1C). If you are not a Member, and not rowing, join as a non-rowing parent (Category 2). This includes the membership for that child.
Q. I have a child rowing with Atomic, and their younger sibling wants to row as well. What are our next steps?
A. We suggest that you talk with the Program Director about any questions you have regarding the Novice program, and then add them as a First Season Novice/Junior (Category 3).
Q. We recently moved to the Oak Ridge area, and our child rowed in our previous location. What are our next steps?
A. Sign up for Membership Category 3, even though your child has previous rowing experience. This is for first-season, whether Fall or Spring, and is a no-cost item. ORRA wants to ensure that your young athlete has the opportunity to determine if rowing with Atomic is for them, without the parent/guardian facing an accompanying membership fee for that first season.
Q. My child, a new rower, came home with blisters on their fingers, a smile on their face, and slept like a rock. Should I be concerned?
A. Nope. Every rower, regardless of age, displays his/her blisters, and the calluses that replace them, with considerable pride.
Q. I see references to Regatta Central. What is that?
A. Regatta Central is a web-based portal for more than 100 rowing programs in the United States. It is broadly used to distribute information and clubs, programs, regattas, and camps. ORRA uses it to manage registration for Members, Programs and Camps. We also host several regattas including Dogwood Juniors and Dogwood Masters, and all participating teams use Regatta Central to register for those events.
You can visit Regatta Central from any browser to complete your Member registration.
Q. I still have a question. Who can help me?
A. Please send an email to info@orra.org and we’ll get right back to you!