Dolphin Club members have rowed in the
Bay since the Club was founded in 1877.
Today we maintain a fleet of 16 "Whitehall" rowboats,
including four doubles and one six-oared barge, the completely
restored "John Wieland". We also have several
open-water shells (Aeros). Training in the use and care
of the rowboats is offered once a month. Dolphin rowers
run the gamut from virtual beginners to experts. Our membership
includes former Olympic rowers as well as a number of former
collegiate rowers.
Dolphin rowers engage in a variety of rowing activities,
including races, trips, and leisure cruising. There are
many day trips to Sam's in Tiburon, the Ramp on San Francisco's
south waterfront, and around Alameda Island. Once a year,
Club rowers undertake the mother of all rows: up the Delta
to Sacramento. Not for the fainthearted!
Every Tuesday night, volunteers gather in the boathouse
to restore and maintain the wooden boats under the supervision
of a professional boatbuilder. It's an invaluable opportunity
to learn about these historic boats and get hands-on boatbuilding
experience.
The Club also maintains a rowing facility at Lake Merced.
Shells belonging to the Club and to individual members
are stored here. Any qualified member can row the Club
boats. Training is conducted at the club one weekend each
month by the rowing commissioner. Each member must complete
several in-cove rows and take a test. Training at Lake
Merced is on an as-needed basis.
The Club owns several Kayaks for recreational and pilot
use. In addition, a number of members store their kayaks
at the Club. Private boats may be used by any qualified
member. Kayak training is held several times throughout
the year; the first day of rowing training (introduction
to Bay conditions) is a prerequisite. |
