Orcas Island Rowing Association (OIRA) is offering adult rowing classes taught by head coach Tina Brown, who is an Olympic rower and has coached extensively both at the college and junior level. The classes are taught on Cascade Lake, meeting at the OIRA boathouse at the south end of the lake. The rowing club uses long and slender boats that may be rowed by teams of two, four or eight, or by a single rower. The sport is often referred to as “crew.” It is one of the oldest college and Olympic sports.

OIRA member Martin Taylor says, “Rowing is an incredibly good exercise. It uses all of the major muscle groups. It’s a low-impact activity with movement only in defined ranges, so that impact, twist and sprain injuries are rare. It’s an intellectual exercise and it’s fun! Not to mention Cascade Lake is a very beautiful place to be on a summer morning. Beware if you take these classes – it’s likely you will become addicted and begin a lifelong passion.”

There are three classes scheduled this summer. All are coed classes open to all adults who can engage in moderate physical exercise. There are two level I (one) classes for complete beginners and one level II (two) class for those completing the entry level I class and/or people with some rowing experience looking to improve their skills.

All classes follow a similar schedule of four sessions. They start with a three-hour Saturday morning session from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., followed by three two-hour sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 6 to 8 a.m. The two level I classes begin Saturday, June 28 and Saturday July 12. The level II class begins Saturday, July 26. Each class is $175 ,which includes a year’s membership in US Rowing (USR). Contact Tina Brown for more information or to enroll in the classes at tinabrown@rockisland.com

or call 376-7677.

For those completing these classes and other already experienced rowers there are opportunities to continue rowing year-round with OIRA through their adult rowing program. There are also informal opportunities for “open water” rowing. For more information on adult rowing contact Martin Taylor at martint@ednagallery.com or call 376-6935.

There is also a local annual open water race around Shaw Island later in the summer. That race is a demanding 14-miles in difficult open water conditions. For information on the “Round Shaw” race contact the organizer Mike Reid who also happens to be an OIRA coach and chief boat engineer. Contact Mike at mike286@centurytel.net or call 376-4956.

OIRA has a decade-old competitive junior rowing program in the fall and spring, open to teens 14-18. Those interested in junior rowing should contact Brown at 376-7677. The OIRA website is at hwww.orcasislandrowing.org