Roeicentrum Berlagebrug

This place is just too damn fun! Lessons are very reasonably priced and all of the instructors I’ve had are very supportive and kind. It’s also a nice and inexpensive place to grab a glass of wine or a beer, especially when the weather is good. I’m looking forward to more classes here.

Rode my bike over to ROEIcentrum — the «Rowing Center» to learn how to row a boat on the Amstel. Was with a group of lady friends and we all gathered together while Pablo showed us how to get in and out of the boat (I didn’t know you could step right through the bottom of the boat if you step in the wrong place), and the correct way to hold the oar and row in synch. The «in synch» part is critical — otherwise, you’re going around in circles and hooting in fear. After some instruction inside in the tank, we were out on the river four to a boat, with an instructor up front telling us why our skinny little boat wouldn’t topple over and when to «go.»
I focused on rowing in synch with the person up front, and making sure I didn’t drag my oar — which did all kinds of crazy things to the boat’s stability and made us all shriek. And after awhile, I got into the rhythm of it and didn’t think of anything but the sun at my back and rowing. I’m going back in early July to take lessons — which are tres reasonable (just EU 100 for 7 weeks). Additional bonus: the female instructor who headed up our boat had the most beautifully toned arms… surely, if I keep rowing this will happen to me!