Burnaby Lake Rowing Club
Learn to Row
Level I
Level I: An Introduction to Rowing
Why Row?
Get outside, meet new people, try something new and get some exercise while doing all of this on beautiful Burnaby Lake in the Vancouver, Lower Mainland area. Rowing is a full body sport that enhances balance, strength, cardiovascular health, rhythm, coordination and cognition. Get an introduction to rowing by joining our 2027 waitlist for group lessons.
Time Frame
Our Learn to Row class takes place over the course of four consecutive weeks, with two 2-hour sessions per week. Note: Lesson schedules are subject to change. As we operate on a public lake, lesson dates and times may be affected by other clubs, events, and shared water use. We will keep in touch and provide options for making up the session.
Join our 2027 Waitlist!
Sign up for our 2027 waitlist here.
Cost Per Person
$499 (2026 rate)
This includes the fees paid to our governing bodies that every participant must pay on an annual basis. Once you pay the RCA and RBC fees, they will be waved in the future when you sign up for additional lessons or a membership.
2026 Dates
May Dates : Sign up here
Monday & Wednesday Evenings
6:00-8:00 PM
[Class Full]
May 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27
Saturday & Sunday Afternoons
12:00-2:00 PM: May 2*, 3*, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31
Tuesday & Thursday Mornings
9:30-11:30 AM: May 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28
*Note: Due to lake usage, May weekend classes will not be scheduled for May 9 and 10.
2026 June Dates: Sign up here
Monday & Wednesday evenings
6:00-8:00 PM:
[Class Full]
June 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24
Saturday & Sunday Afternoons
2:30-4:30 PM:
[Class Full]
June 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
Tuesday & Thursday mornings
9:30-11:30 AM: June 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25
2026 July Dates: Sign up here
Monday & Wednesday evenings
6:00-8:00 PM: July 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29
Tuesday & Thursday mornings
9:45-11:45 AM: July 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
*Note: Weekend classes are not available in July due to lake usage conflicts
2026 August Dates: Sign up here
Monday & Wednesday evenings
5:30-7:30 PM:
[Class Full]
5:30-7:30 PM: 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31, Sept 2
Saturday & Sunday afternoons
2:30-4:30 PM: 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
Tuesday & Thursday mornings
9:45-11:45 AM: 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27
Why You Should Try Rowing
Do you live in the greater Vancouver, B.C. area and you love being on the water? Are you looking for your next water sport to do on one of the many bodies of water around Burnaby, Surrey, or Coquitlam? You should try rowing!
Burnaby Lake Rowing Club offers Learn to Row Classes on a monthly basis to ensure that people can try rowing and have access to sculling and sweep rowing in the Lower Mainland. During our group rowing lessons you will learn how to scull, a type of rowing that is done in smaller boats, with one oar in each hand. You will learn how to row team boats so that you can meet other people or get an idea of what racing in regattas would be like.
You’ll take the rowing class with up to 8 other people who are also new to rowing and you’ll learn all of the fundamentals so that you can start to row on your own or with other members. Once you complete your initial set of lessons you have the option of continuing with private lessons or taking our Learn to Row II Course. Once you are proficient in rowing and can safely row you will be invited to take an assessment before joining our masters rowing program.
Swimming Requirements
Rowing is a sport that can be done year round in Vancouver. It is a unique sport and will give you the opportunity to spend more time outside and on the water. We do ask participants if they can swim, but you don’t need to be an expert swimmer to participate in rowing. We recommend that you have the ability to swim at least 50 meters and tread water for at least 5 minutes. All rowers wear a Personal Flotation Device, also known as a life jacket, during lessons.
Missing a Class?
We understand that plans can change! If you know you'll miss a class, please let us know 48 hours in advance. Although we cannot guarantee a make-up class, we will do our best to fit you into one of our other sessions, subject to availability and class composition. (Unfortunately, we cannot offer private or semi-private lessons for make-up sessions).
If we need to cancel a session due to weather, coach illness, or other unforeseen circumstances, we will provide options for students to make-up the session.