I'm finishing up the Learn to Row program this weekend. It has been the best! Sara, our instructor,…read moreis a world class expert and how lucky are we to find her in Oakland!? Rowing can be fun for anyone, at any age. I hope to continue into the Novice Program. Thanks for making this available East Bay Rowing Club!

I went to a Learn To Row in June 2014 for fitness, and I stayed for the EVERYTHING ELSE. I have…read morenever met a more welcoming, inspiring, and committed bunch of women in my entire life. You should check out EBRC if you want to try rowing, but be prepared to really, really like it. Like, welcome-to-your-new-lifestyle-you-only-THOUGHT-you-knew-what-your-anaerobic-threshold-was like it. I wasn't a stranger to the club--my partner joined in 2012, so I'd been to regattas and I knew about erging. And a friend's sister is a coxswain, so I knew a little about that. I'd just never picked up an oar. My dad had a rowing machine in the '80s, but that's as close as I ever got to crew. (Pity, as I'm a native New Englander.) Seven months later, that first bay down at JLAC is my home away from home, my medals have joined my partners on the wall, and regatta = date night. I learned more about myself in my first three months of rowing than I figured out in the first decade of so-called adulthood and came out happier, and fitter, on the other side...with a few dozen new friends and some seriously poetic experiences on the water. (YMMV--you get back what you put in.) Additional: If you read "The Boys In The Boat" and thought, "That sounds hard and kind of awesome," you belong with us.

It is a privilege to get James Kwan as your rowing coach. My son has been rowing for a few years…read more Lately we needed intervention in his rowing technique as his progress had plateaued. We were quite concerned as he was putting significant hours in rowing with relatively low outcome. We were looking for a different perspective and got in touch with James. We had read great reviews about him. We were a bit apprehensive though, given he worked from Oakland and we live across the bay. Regardless, James met my son in between. He defined an individualized program for him after observing his technique for a few days. He suggested improvements, changed his workouts almost every day doing it remotely through text messages. He collects feedback through videos, snapshots of the erg machine readings to customize the next workout. His acute attention to details brought significant improvement in my son's 6k and 2k scores. James works with the student no matter what their level. His personal commitment to his students, and his willingness to work with the parent to accommodate other priorities is admirable. Rarely you find an extremely talented individual with a down-to-earth attitude. We feel very fortunate to have James as my son's coach and mentor. We find James' dedication and discipline towards his work a hard act to follow. He is a role model for our family! Thank you James for the remarkable difference you have brought in our lives. I see my son's rowing and his confidence growing everyday.

OARS is a welcoming, fun, high quality competitive rowing program with awesome dedicated coaches…read moreand support staff. The team challenges its young athletes to work together to compete at a high level technically and physically. Perseverance. Dedication. Teamwork. My daughter loves the physical and mental challenge, and the opportunity to to row with a great group of kids.

Bay Star Tennis rocks! They give back to the community by donating 150+ balls to the 45th…read moreNihonmachi Street Fair - Doggie World (http://www.nihonmachistreetfair.org/nsf_doggieworld.htm). Balls and dogs, what could be better. Thanks again!

Paddled with the renegades for 4 months last year and had a blast. The team is very friendly to…read morenewbies and work very hard. There is some great talent and a great mix of people and practice sessions were very challenging. If I lived in Oakland, I would not miss a single practice but it is hard to make the weekday 5:45pm sessions since I commute from Redwood City. Check out their facebook page for more updates!! And go try it out, you will not be disappointed!!