River City Rowing Club offers up a different sport to try out

While there are plenty of things to get you up and out of the house in West Sacramento, water or river access can be hard to come by.

Well, if you like aquatic sports paired up with teamwork and have a desire to try something new to remain active, then signing up for an introduction to the River City Rowing Club could be for you.

Founded in 1983, River City Rowing has been giving Yolo County residents an outlet for a different type of exercise. They offer a well-protected water activity to residents of Sacramento, West Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, Elk Grove, and beyond. The Club's programs provide competitive and recreational rowing opportunities for community members of all ages and athletic experiences.

The practices happen near the RCRC boathouse at 2901 Industrial Blvd. in the Port of West Sacramento.

“It is a pretty demanding activity,” River City Rowing Club coach Arthur Ericsson said. “When they are beginners, we help everyone gradually learn, but the workouts get more challenging and race opportunities provide an exciting goal for the teams to work towards. Rowing has a reputation for being demanding, and it's true.

“I would say the body of water at the Port of West Sacramento is a really special place for the sport. It's one of the best-kept secrets because it's so ideal for rowing.”

Now in his seventh year back in the area after coaching at Washington State, Ericsson, who has been with River City Rowing for over 15 years, is currently coaching the junior girls' novice team.

The RCRC offers rowing to three age levels, plus private lessons and a teambuilding session.

The youngest program offered is the middle school level for students in the fifth through seventh grades. The non-competitive team sessions allow the younger students to learn the basics and have some fun to see if rowing is suitable for them.

The next level is the RCR Junior Crew, a competitive program for high schoolaged students. Coaches will see where you can fit in at this level, then, after a year, qualified rowers are moved up to varsity from novice.

At the junior level, the novice team has 35 athletes. The entire junior squad is now at over 85 kids.