Asheville Rowing Club
About ARC
Asheville Rowing Club is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt athletic and social organization dedicated to promoting health, fitness and fun through the sport of rowing for Masters.
The club was founded in the summer of 2001 by a small group of former rowers and outdoor enthusiasts. Dion Sweat led the effort to form the club and served as its first president. The club started with only one 4-man rowing shell and no dock or shelter. Today our boathouse is packed with rowing shells available to all our members and the club has grown to over 120 rowers. Many are national and international champions, while others row purely for fun and fitness.
A major step in our development was the construction of a boathouse on Lake Julian in southern Buncombe county. Built in 2005, the structure was made possible through donations and volunteer labor from individuals, organizations and businesses in the community.
Today, Asheville Rowing Club is rapidly growing and serves a diverse group of people from Buncombe and surrounding counties. The club is an organizational member of USRowing, the governing body for rowing in the United States.
Programs
We have programs for all levels of rowers
Novice
Considered "novices" during their first year, Learn To Row (LTR) graduates practice and race together and occasionally with more experienced rowers, learning how rowing "works."
Competitive
Asheville Rowing Club has approximately 50 very dedicated, competitive racers who medal frequently at regional and national regattas. Our club was proud to win the Southeast Regional Championship in 2017. We typically race in 5-8 sprint races (1000 or 2000 meters) in spring and summer and 4-5 head races (5000m) in the fall.
Recreational
Asheville Rowing Club has a large group of experienced recreational rowers who row every day of the week. Club rows are held two or three times per week, allowing racers and recreational rowers opportunities to row together.
Learn To Row
Interested in learning the basics of rowing? If so, we hope you'll join us for our next Learn to Row course in spring 2023! Specific dates will be announced in early 2023 and registration will be on a first come first serve basis. Our LTR course takes place at the ARC boathouse on Lake Julian over 4 consecutive days and includes 4 more opportunities to row during the following two weeks. It will review the fundamentals of both sweep (1 oar) and sculling (2 oars). Please email us at ashevillerowingclub.info@gmail.com for more information.
Schedule & Location
Club Row Times
Our Club Rows are currently Saturday at 2:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm with a sweep focus.
Guest rowers are welcome by setting up an appointment. Please email us at ashevillerowingclub@gmail.com and we will help get you in a boat.
70 Fisherman's Trail, Arden, NC 28704
We are located off Hendersonville Rd. at the secondary (Fisherman's Trail) entrance to Lake Julian Park From I-26, take exit 37/Long Shoals Rd. Travel east on Long Shoals approximately 2 miles (past Overlook Rd. and the main entrance to the park) to Hendersonville Rd. Turn right (south) on Hendersonville Rd. Travel 1/2 mile watching for Fisherman's Trail and Lake Julian Park signs on the right (just after railroad overpass). Follow Fisherman's Trail past the picnic shelter and across the RR tracks to the last parking lot.
Membership & Guests
Asheville Rowing Club Membership:
To become a member of ARC, individuals must either be approved experienced rowers or have successfully completed an ARC Learn to Row class. LTR classes are offered in the spring and late summer.
ARC is a Masters program. We accept members 18 years old and older.
All members MUST sign the online USRowing Waiver: https://membership.usrowing.org/individual/join
Guest Rowers:
We love sharing our beautiful lake with guest rowers. If you would like to row with us please email us at ashevillerowingclub.info@gmail.com and include your rowing experience and dates you would like to row.
All guests must sign the USRowing Waiver online or sign a paper copy at the boathouse.
Requirements
Rowing is a physically demanding sport. Some level of strength and flexibility is required. At minimum:
- You must be able to lift 35lbs over your head in order to assist in carrying a boat.
- You must be able to easily squat down to the seated position and get back up without assistance.
- Turn your neck easily from side to side. Rowing backwards requires turning your neck frequently to view where you are going.
- Not exceed the weight/size restrictions of our boats.
- All rowers and coxswains must be able to swim 50 meters and tread water for 5 minutes.
Current Events
Follow us on Facebook for all the latest regatta results, social events and photos.
Performance
Sarasota Invitational: 15 entries - 3 Gold, 2 Silver, and 4 Bronze
Clemson: 25 entries - 6 Gold, 5 Silver and 3 bronze
Dogwood Masters Classic: 17 entries - 4 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze
US Rowing Southeast Regional Championships: 43 entries - 4 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze