Introduction
Our very first 32-foot gig, Spirit of Otter Creek, was launched in 2000, built by Vergennes middle and high school students. That was the start of what would become Champlain Longboats, a boat building and rowing program for teens and a rowing program for adults. Our fleet of 22 rowing gigs were built in the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s boat shop by middle and high school students. Maintenance on the fleet is done annually by high school boat builders, museum staff and volunteers.
The adult rowing season starts in the spring and runs through the middle of October (weather dependent). The season consists of weekly rows, multiple events, and options for races as well.
The rowing program is managed by the Director of Maritime Programs and is facilitated by our museum staff and Grand Master Splashes (GMS). The GMSs are the ones in charge of each rowing session. They tirelessly check the forecast, teach rowing skills, and are the Museum’s eyes on the water for safety.
Each year the program continues to grow and evolve thanks to our volunteers and rowers like you!
What Does It Cost?
- The cost of a single club, Full Season Membership, is $175
- The cost for the Full Season Membership for all three clubs is $250
- Adult Rowing is on a “Pay What you Can” basis. If the fees are above your ability to pay, choose an amount that you can afford. Please keep in mind that the Maritime Museum is dependent on membership income to sustain the rowing program. No matter what, you will still be registered for the entire rowing season.
- Special events may require separate registration and fees. Consult with your teammates, GMS and event websites for more information.
Three Clubs: What’s the Difference?
Tuesday night “Rowing for Fitness” – Vergennes, VT
This is our advanced adult rowing club best suited for intermediate and experienced adult rowers of all ages (18-99+). This weekly club sets out for a vigorous 1.5 – 2-hour row each week practicing strength training, rowing techniques, and endurance.
Wednesday night “Burlington Rows!” – Burlington, VT
This club* meets at Perkins Pier and is open to adult rowers of all ages (18-99+) and of all levels (beginner to experienced). As of 2025, we will offer two separate, back-to-back sessions. The recreational/beginner row will depart the dock promptly at 5:15p and return at 6:29p. The fitness row will depart the dock at 6:30p and will row until it is dark or 7:45pm, whichever comes first.
*To allow more people to take part, please choose only one time slot per Wednesday.
Thursday night “Community Rowing” – Vergennes, VT
This club is open to adult rowers of all ages (18-99+) and of all levels (beginner to experienced). This weekly club sets out for a recreational 1.5-to-2-hour row each week. We focus on developing rowing techniques, endurance and strength.
You may sign up for one club or all three if you want, in case more than one club looks good to you. We row the museum’s fleet of rowing gigs, either 6-oar pilot gigs or smaller 4-oar boats.
Keep in mind…
- For any of the three clubs you need to be agile enough to move in and out of a small boat. If you have questions about what this will look like, contact one of the GMSs to discuss.
- If you have a medical condition that might be exacerbated by rowing, please get permission from your health care practitioner to participate.
How Do I Decide Which Club/s to Join?
| If you… | Try… |
| have little or no experience rowing | Community Rowing or the recreational session of Burlington Rows! |
| got the hang of it and want a more aerobic experience | Rowing for Fitness or the Fitness focused session in Burlington Rows! |
| are primarily wanting a recreational row | Community Rowing or the recreational session of Burlington Rows! |
| have some experience rowing and are looking for a good workout | Rowing for Fitness or the Fitness focused session in Burlington Rows! |
| have a lot of rowing experience and want a good workout | Rowing for Fitness or the Fitness focused session in Burlington Rows! |
| want either a good workout or a more recreational row, but have time constraints | the fitness or recreational session of Burlington Rows! |
| want to race! | Rowing for Fitness or the Fitness focused session in Burlington Rows! |
*Know that our primary goal for all these different options is to have fun!
Registering For the Season
Once each year you must register to row with us, even if you have rowed with us before.
- Go to our website, www.lcmm.org/adult-rowing/ and read more about the program.
- If the information and times work for you, click the “Register for Adult Rowing” button on that page. Follow the link and complete the form.
- Once you have completed the form you will receive a confirmation email that has the link to a website called SignUp Genius (which we call SUG).
- You will use SignUp Genius to reserve a spot in weekly activities.
Using SignUp Genius
Each month’s scheduled practices and events will appear in SUG at the end of the previous month. You will receive an email announcing that the next month is available and will include important updates.
- Sign in to your SUG account.
- Click on the week you want to sign up for.
- Scroll down until you find the correct day/club and click “Sign Up” (usually in blue on the right).
- Click “Save & Continue” (usually pops up on the bottom of your screen).
- Check to make sure the information is correct, then click “Sign Up Now”.
Please only sign up for days that you know you will be able to attend, even though you are allowed to sign up for multiple days at a time. We regularly have more rowers registered than we do seats/boats. Be a friend, do not be that person that hogs sessions!
*If you find you are having trouble with SUG, please contact Michelle at MichelleF@lcmm.org.
What Do I Bring/Wear?
Come prepared and you will have a great row! There is room for a small backpack in the boat. Some suggestions:
- Sun protection, ie, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- Water bottle – one that can lay on its side without leaking
- Snacks
- Towel & swimsuit – useful during swimming weather
- Gloves – optional, since some rowers prefer blisters and calluses 😊
- Seat pad – good for longer/more strenuous rows. Try a ½” gardening kneeling pad.
- Active wear in layers. This is helpful as the weather changes easily on the lake, cold wind, hot sun etc.
- Water-friendly, flexible shoes. Sneakers are ok.
How Do I Get Involved in Racing? I Like a Little Friendly Competition!
There are multiple out of state races and one in-house race sponsored by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Races come in all shapes and sizes. Be sure to read the fine print so you know what you are getting into.
All races will be coordinated by the GMSs and are available to those that participate in Rowing for Fitness. Participation in races is not, however, a requirement to join Rowing for Fitness.
As we approach our race season, we will offer race-specific training for the people who have registered for the upcoming event. That may be a Saturday or Sunday morning as we have done in the past, but these practices will be organized with the registrants.
- GMSs will assemble the crews from the list of those that want to race. We will do all we can to find a seat for everyone, but keep in mind that it is necessary to have the exact number of rowers for the number of boats participating.
- Rowers will pay for their race fees, gas, housing and food.
- LCMM will provide boats and trailers for races. LCMM will not generally provide drivers and tow vehicles which will be coordinated, instead, by the GMSs.
- If you have questions about races and what would be an appropriate fit for you, contact the GMSs.
What Else Should I Know?
- Sessions will include opportunities to switch seats, to rotate into different positions in the boat. Each seat in the gig or skiff is slightly different (think angle of body and oar, port or starboard side of boat etc.). It is beneficial to rotate seats to avoid strength/postural imbalances.
- YES, it is completely normal to have a favorite seat and a least favorite seat. We rotate through the boat for everyone’s benefit, and you will find you become a better rower for it!
- You will also have the opportunity to sit in as the coxswain (often-times called the cox). Here you will take a break from rowing and will receive instruction on how to direct the rowers and steer the boat.
- Good coxswains are an integral part of a rowing team, as we can only have as many boats as we have coxswains.
- Don’t worry, the GMS will retain responsibility for the safety of the crew and boat even when they are rowing.
- Our GMSs love to row too, so we need to give them some time behind an oar!
Swimming
As the hot weather progresses into the summer, the GMS may determine that there is an opportunity to swim off of the boat. Please be aware that any swimming off of the boats in deep water must be done while wearing a PFD (personal flotation device).
Cancellations
If you have signed up for a practice and then cannot make it, remove your name from SUG as soon as possible (so someone else can sign up) and text your GMS. Contact information is found both at the end of this document as well as in each sign-up in SUG.
**We highly recommend putting your GMS’ phone number/s in your phone. **
Weather Concerns
We love to row in all different types of weather. We do, however, cancel practice if there is dangerous weather (high winds, lightning, etc.). If we cancel practice, we will email you by 3:00pm. If you have not received an email, then practice is on!
On occasion the GMS will determine that, while there is a risk of weather-related cancellation, it is worth showing up on-site and determining at the time of rowing whether or not rowing will be held. The GMS will let you know by email, and you can then determine if you want to make the trip.
Contact Us
| Name/Role | Number | |
| Maria Cimonetti GMS for both Burlington Rows! | Text preferred: 802-238-8457 | maria.cimonetti@gmail.com |
| Tim Hodson GMS for Community & Fitness | Call/Text: 802-989-8335 | tjhodsonvt@gmail.com |
| Andrew Rainville GMS for Community & Fitness | Text preferred: 802-349-4024 | a.rainville11@gmail.com |
| Michelle Fico Administrations Manager/SUG Keeper | Call: 802-475-2022 | MichelleF@lcmm.org |
| Laura Caldwell Expeditions Program Manager | Text preferred: 301-535-7623 | LauraC@lcmm.org |
| Nick Patch Director of Maritime Programs | Call/Text: 802-349-3638 | NickP@lcmm.org |