2026 – Learn to Row course sessions
🛶 Starts Tuesday 1 September – Ends Saturday 26 September
This four-week programme is open to anyone in secondary school, but is especially designed for Year 9–10s keen to try something new.
You’ll learn everything you need to get started — from how to carry a boat to how to row in sync with your crew. Rowing’s a super technical sport (even Olympians are still trying to master it!), but by the end of five weeks, you’ll have the basics down — and probably be hooked.
Because it’s a team sport, we need everyone showing up ready to go!
🕔 Training Times:
- Tuesdays & Thursdays: 5–7 pm
- Saturdays: 8–10 am
🧢 What You’ll Need Each Session:
- Fitted activewear (e.g. yoga pants, shorts, base layers)
- T-shirt and long-sleeve top
- Jacket or windbreaker
- Beanie or sun hat
- Socks (to wear in the boat)
- Crocs or water shoes (essential)
- Running shoes
- Towel & change of clothes
- Refillable water bottle
💰 Cost:
- Learn to ROW: $50 for the full course
- Payment is required upon enrolment to guarantee your position in the course
🚨 Note: If you enjoy rowing for four weeks, you can stick with it and join our Novice Rowing squad for the summer season.
ROWING THAT FITS AROUND SCHOOL AND FAMILY LIFE
No early-morning training
Rowing is often associated with very early starts and 5:00am training sessions. At Porirua Rowing Club, our novice programme is different.
There are no morning training sessions for our learn to row or novice crews.
We know that getting young athletes to Titahi Bay early in the morning can be difficult, particularly for families travelling from Kāpiti, Tawa and Wellington.
Instead, our novice training is scheduled after school, making it possible for many students to travel to training using public transport.
Public transport can make getting to training easier
For students travelling from the Kāpiti Coast, the afternoon train from Paraparaumu provides a straightforward connection to Porirua.
From Paraparaumu:
- 3:26pm train → arrives in Porirua at approximately 4:00pm
- 3:48pm train → arrives in Porirua at approximately 4:25pm
From Porirua Train Station, students can connect with the 220 bus towards Titahi Bay.
Route 220 departures from Porirua Station:
- 4:08pm
- 4:20pm
- 4:38pm
These services provide students with options for getting from the train station towards the club, with the Gloaming Hill stop providing a convenient connection for the boatshed.
From Tawa and Wellington
Students travelling from Tawa and Wellington have multiple options for reaching Porirua Station, where they can connect with the 220 towards Titahi Bay.
This means that for many students, getting to rowing after school can be managed through train and bus connections, without requiring a parent to drive them to the boatshed every afternoon.
We can also help with car pooling
We understand that public transport won’t work for every family, particularly for getting home after training.
Where possible, Porirua Rowing Club can help families connect with other parents in their area to arrange car pooling. If several students live in the same area, families can share the driving and make the journey easier for everyone.
This can also be a great way for new families to meet other parents involved in the club.
A programme designed around real family life
We actively encourage students from across Porirua, Wellington and Kāpiti to join Porirua Rowing Club. We recognise that travelling to a new sport can be one of the biggest barriers for young athletes and their families.
Students are also surprised that rowing is a sport that starts at least age 13. And the first few years at this age are about technique. This means it’s a sport you can join at college, turn up to a Learn to row, and be around kids that are at the same level.
Students find that this is a great way to meet people from other schools. We mix everyone together as a Club until after National rowing championships (in February). So kids get to mix with different groups, meet different people and have friends from all over Wellington (not just the school they attend).
That’s why we have deliberately structured our Learn to Row and Novice programmes around the realities of school, travel and family life.
- No experience needed.
- No early-morning starts.
- Convenient after-school training.
- Public transport options.
- Car pooling support.
- A club community that brings students together from across the region.
If you would like to talk to someone from the club to find out more, or arrange a time to come down and meet at the club before enrolling in the course. Please contact our Club Captain: clubcaptain@poriruarowing.co.nz
Public transport timetables can change. The times above are provided as a guide to help families understand the available connections, and students should check the current Metlink timetable before travelling.
