Visiting?
We think every rower should get out on the ocean at least once, and nothing compares to Monterey Bay. You will certainly meet sea lions and otters, you’re likely to encounter seals and dolphins, and on a really lucky day you might even see whales. You will also get a feeling of rowing uphill and maybe ‘surf’ on the way home (don’t worry, we don’t actually row in breaking waves).
Our Aeros are much more stable than the average racing single so you don’t have to be an absolute pro. However, you must be comfortable in a single scull! Sweep rowers are unlikely to be comfortable handling two oars on a rocky ocean. Of course anyone can take a lesson with one of our instructors.
A visitor from Italy, Ciao.
If you are experienced rower (rowing machines don’t count) and would like to row, please contact Karen (scrowmemb@gmail.com) at least three days, and ideally more, in advance of the day(s) you want to row. Then she can try (no guarantees) to arrange a rowing partner, as you must be accompanied by one of our members. We generally row in the morning (starting between 7:30 and 9 am) when conditions tend to be calmer. Somebody goes out nearly every Saturday and Sunday if conditions are favorable, but people row less frequently during the week. We have boats in two places (Elkhorn Slough), an estuary, so the water is usually fairly flat, and the SC Harbor, where it is not unusual to have 3-4-foot swells. People row more frequently at the Harbor given its proximity to Santa Cruz. We look at the marine weather forecast in advance, and then check the harbor webcam the morning of rowing to make sure that the conditions are ok to row; if not, your host will have to cancel the morning of. We charge $20 per person/per row, payable in cash or through Zelle. You will need to download our waiver form, sign it, and send it to Karen.