Membership in the New Haven Rowing Club is a gateway to great rowing—both sweeps and sculls—on a beautiful, four-mile stretch of the Housatonic River. We are a collegial group of experienced rowers between the ages of 25 and 80+ who share the bonds of friendship and connection to the global rowing community.

We offer opportunities for experienced scullers interested in either recreational or competitive sculling, as well as experienced sweep rowers interested in racing. For those new to the sport, we host small-scale summer sessions for beginners. For more information please contact us by email at members@newhavenrc.org.

Membership entitles you to access to our gorgeous, two-bay boathouse, complete with rowing equipment, men’s and women’s locker rooms, and a third-floor exercise room with ergometers and free weights. Full membership also provides you with professional coaching twice a week.

The men’s and women’s sweep teams practice on the water from March-November between the hours of 5:30–7:00 am (6:30–8:00 am on weekends). Scullers set their own schedules, but are typically on the water early as well. Members interested in racing have a variety of local and regional regatta options from May to November (regatta fees are not included in membership dues).

There are three forms required for membership applicants (downloadable in one PDF):

1) the application form
2) waiver of liability form
3) a swim test certification


All three forms must be submitted to the club in order to be considered for membership. The club will not bill you until your application has been approved by the Board of Directors. The club also assesses a one-time initiation fee for older members in the second year of membership. To learn more about the philosophy behind our one-time initiation fee, please click here.

Interested in a test drive? We welcome prospective members to tour the boathouse and have a guest row. To arrange your visit, or if you would like to learn more about membership in New Haven Rowing Club, please send an email to members@newhavenrc.org.

Thank you for your interest in New Haven Rowing Club. We look forward to seeing you on the water with us soon!

Saman Majd
Chair, Membership Committee
New Haven Rowing Club


Cafe Derby, 2017