Joining OBC

OBC welcomes recreational and competitive scullers. In order to join OBC for the first time or to renew your annual membership, please register on Ronin Racing.

Because the club does not offer supervised programs, members should be competent scullers who can handle boats and navigate without assistance. Prospective members new to sculling have a number of options for finding instruction:

• Bob Spousta offers summer rowing camps out of Sandy Run
• The Washington Rowing School offers lessons on the Anacostia River.
• Out-of-town rowing schools offer weekend and week-long sessions. Possibilities include Calm Waters Rowing in Lancaster, Virginia, and Craftsbury Sculling Center in Vermont.

All new members must attend a new member orientation session before they are permitted to use club equipment.

To inquire about joining, contact Vice President Connie Dillman (gro.cbowornull@pihsrebmem).

Five OBC membership types are currently offered:

1. Temporary Individual Membership

This is a temporary arrangement which includes liability protection, use of club equipment, and three free sculling lessons under the guidance of a sculling instructor. The cost is $150.00. If, after taking the lessons, the rower can pass the competency test, he or she can pay the additional $125.00 to become a new member in the club with full membership privileges. If the prospective member needs additional lessons to gain competency, he or she will need to make arrangements with the sculling instructor to pay for additional lessons or find another instructor and equipment to learn the required skills.

2. New Individual Membership

Prospective members who feel they have enough sculling experience to pass the Competency Test may join under this membership. The cost is $275.00. This includes one year of membership in the club with liability protection and a one-time $100 initiation fee. Club memberships are based on the calendar year and there is no pro-rating for joining part way through the year.

If the rower cannot pass the competency test, the rower will be asked to take the 3 free lessons with the sculling instructor or find another venue to improve their skills. If the rower decides not to pursue rowing at OBC any further, he or she will be given a full refund and no membership to the club. If the rower still wants to become an OBC member, he or she will be asked to repeat the test after showing proof of having had additional instruction. If the rower takes the 3 lessons, still cannot pass the test, and decides not to continue pursuing OBC membership, he or she will receive a refund minus $150.

3. Current Individual Membership

If you have already been a member of OBC and have paid the initiation fee you may renew your membership for $175.

4. Children-of-Members

Children of Current Individual Members (above) are allowed to join OBC for $50. The children must be 21 years of age or less, or 25 or less if currently registered in college.

5. College Student Membership

Current college students and rising high school seniors are permitted to join OBC at the rate of $175.00. They are not required to pay the $100 initiation fee.