FAQs

The masters program is RCTW’s adult rowing team. Our Masters’ level of experience ranges from competitive athletes to absolute beginners. Some of our Masters rowed competitively in college, while many first learned to row through our club. Masters have access to the RCTW boathouse, boats and other equipment, as well as special programs like rowing camps with guest coaches retained by the club. Masters practice and row together recreationally and compete and support each other in regattas (on an optional basis). 

Masters must be at least 21 years old.

No prior experience is required.

Beginners complete a Learn to Row class and water safety assessment before joining.

Yes. To row, you must be able to swim, tread water and lift 30 lbs over your head. Our boats can support up to an average of 230lbs, therefore, a weight limitation of less than 230lbs is necessary.

One of our experienced Masters will meet with you and evaluate your skill level to ensure safe handling of our equipment.

We offer a Learn to Row course designed to introduce the sport of rowing to adult newcomers and serve as a refresher for those returning to the sport after an absence.  Completing the course is required for those in both categories to join the Masters program.  

The Learn to Row course is typically comprised of three 2-hour sessions conducted over a weekend (Fri-Sun).

• Fri 5:30pm – 7:30pm – boathouse tour, introduction to rowing, navigation/safety, erging and other fundamentals
• Saturday 9:30am-11:30am – on-water session, stroke basics and practice/drills
• Sunday 9:30am-11:30am – on-water session, stroke basics and practice/drills

The Learn to Row course is organized and conducted by experienced Masters volunteering to teach, coach and join you on the water.  

The cost for each participant is $250, and each participant will also be required to sign a standard waiver and release form.  

After completing the Learn to Row course, each participant will have 30 days to try out the membership before joining.  During that time, we encourage newcomers to join practice sessions and coordinate rowing with other Masters in our group chat (GroupMe) – the key to learning to row is practice!

Yes. The fee for the course is $250.

We typically conduct Learn to Row several times a year – in late Spring, Summer and/or early Fall, with three to four weekends offered in each. However, because the Learn to Row course is entirely supported by volunteers, course availability may vary.

The course is conducted at the RCTW boathouse and on Lake Woodlands in The Woodlands, Texas.

Contact Membership@woodlandsrowing.org to alert our Membership Committee to add your name and email to a list of interested participants. When the next Learn to Row schedule is launched, you will receive an email from membership@woodlandsrowing.org with the schedule and instructions.

No. The Learn to Row course is designed to put you in the position of beginning to row, but you will gain technique, skills, strength and confidence to partake in the sport of rowing by joining in practices and rowing with other Masters.

Primary communication is through GroupMe. You will receive an invitation to join the Masters’ GroupMe chat. Masters organize practices and coordinate with one another to row through GroupMe.

Yes. We love to have breakfast together after a morning’s row on the weekends. We also organize other get-togethers on an ad hoc basis. The Masters are a friendly, outgoing group, diverse in age and background, sharing a passion for the sport of rowing, and eager to welcome and introduce others to it.

Annual membership for 2025 is $610. The annual membership fee is prorated for midyear joiners. The membership fee helps to cover the boathouse lease and park/township fees, purchasing and maintaining the boats and other equipment, insurance, US rowing membership, plus special programs like rowing camps with guest coaches. If you support the club through volunteering on one of our committees for at least 10 hours in a calendar year, you will receive a $100 discount on your membership fees for the following year.

There is an additional fee for Masters who wish to compete in racing events. The additional feesupports entry fees, transportation of equipment, coaches’ meals and lodging and other costs, and averages around $100-$200 per event. This cost varies based on the number of events you compete in, the length of the regatta, and other fees, which are shared by the regatta participants. Competitor’s lodging and transportation are their expense.

RCTW has several racing shells – singles, doubles and quads – as well as a few tubs used to train novices. RCTW is primarily a sculling crew, but we have a few shells outfitted for sweep rowing.

There are also several Concept2 erg (indoor rowing) machines and other training equipment at the boathouse.

The RCTW boathouse is located in The Woodlands’ Northshore Park, at 2505 Lake Woodlands Drive, Unit A, The Woodlands, Texas 77381. Boathouse hours are the Northshore Park hours.