While there are plenty of things to get you up and out of the house in West Sacramento, water or river access can be hard to come by.
Well, if you like aquatic sports paired up with teamwork and have a desire to try something new to remain active, then signing up for an introduction to the River City Rowing Club could be for you.
Founded in 1983, River City Rowing has been giving Yolo County residents an outlet for a different type of exercise. They offer a well-protected water activity to residents of Sacramento, West Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, Elk Grove, and beyond. The Club’s programs provide competitive and recreational rowing opportunities for community members of all ages and athletic experiences.
The practices happen near the RCRC boathouse at 2901 Industrial Blvd. in the Port of West Sacramento.
“It is a pretty demanding activity,” River City Rowing Club coach Arthur Ericsson said. “When they are beginners, we help everyone gradually learn, but the workouts get more challenging and race opportunities provide an exciting goal for the teams to work towards. Rowing has a reputation for being demanding, and it’s true.
“I would say the body of water at the Port of West Sacramento is a really special place for the sport. It’s one of the best-kept secrets because it’s so ideal for rowing.”
Now in his ninth year back in the area after coaching at Washington State, Ericsson, who has been with River City Rowing for over 15 years, is currently coaching the junior girls’ novice team and the adult learn to row program.
The RCRC offers rowing to three age levels, plus private lessons and a team-building session.
The youngest program offered is the middle school level for students in the fifth through seventh grades. The non-competitive team sessions allow the younger students to learn the basics and have some fun to see if rowing is suitable for them.
The next level is the RCR Junior Crew, a competitive program for high school-aged students. Athletes do not need any rowing experience to join and can learn to row alongside other new athletes. Athletes interested in the competitive program can take a summer class to try rowing, or start at the beginning of the season in September.
The entire junior squad is now at over 85 kids.
“We typically don’t cut anyone,” Ericsson said. “As long as they are showing effort, they will be a welcome member of our team. It’s a safety issue on the rare occasion that we do cut someone. It’s not something we are born doing, as it’s a whole different skill set. You’re out there with seven other people while someone steers. The boats are designed to go fast through the water, so they are ‘tippy.’ It’s fun for some people who want that level of excitement.”
The junior season runs from early September through early May, with teams competing against more than 35 other junior rowing programs in the Southwest region. In addition, RCRC competes in regional and national events, including the USRowing Southwest Youth Championship, which serves as a qualifier for the USRowing Youth National Championships.
During the 2025 season, RCRC had six boats represented at Nationals, including athletes in the U16 Womens’ 8+ which placed 6th in the nation.
There are also financial scholarships available for the middle school and junior teams. Ericsson mentions RCRC could offer up to 50% off based on a family’s situation.
Other programs offered at RCRC include adult rowing or masters rowing, giving adults aged 18 to 80+ the chance to build up from learning the basics to novice, intermediate, and advanced.
RCRC also offers a team-building program where companies or groups can sign up for a 1-day class and partake in a crash course in how to row as a team.
“It’s like a bonding experience,” Ericsson said. “We try to slow it down as much as we can, but we are trying to get the members from 0 to 100, and have all eight members at the same time ready to participate in a short, fun race at the end of the day. They are very focused because there is so much they have to accomplish in such a short period of time.”
Continuing for its fourth year in the spring will be the Rowsist Cancer Rowing Class for cancer survivors, with classes running year-round.
“The class gives cancer survivors a community through the sport of rowing,” Ericsson said. “It can help them renew their self-image and a team bonding aspect with fellow survivors. Emotional support can be so important. We are really excited to continue this class for this inspiring group of people.”
The RCRC is not affiliated with any schools in the area but is open to anyone in the region.
According to Ericsson, the only other rowing option in the general vicinity is Lake Natoma, located at Folsom and Nimbus Dams in Sacramento County.
“You could get into a single-person boat, but you are missing out on a whole team aspect experience,” Ericsson said. “The team part is what makes the sport so special.”
If interested in beginning, RCRC will offer beginner classes for each age group starting in May. Classes are one to three weeks long, depending on the age group.
“Learn to Row classes are a key part of who we are as a club – our mission is to Get People Rowing and Keep People Rowing – and the beginning classes are a structured, fun, yet challenging way for anyone to try rowing, and gain the skills they need to join the year-round rowing teams. Classes run throughout the summer but registration just opened this week so we’re already looking forward to welcoming new rowers out to the boathouse.”
Athletes can essentially join the junior team year-round, but for middle schoolers or adults, the Learn to Row Program is the only chance they would get to learn how to row, and after they could join in on the other programs.
“I hear a lot of adults say they have always wanted to row. Well, do it,” Ericsson said. “Don’t just say you want to, literally carve out some weeks of your life and go and do it. For the youth, they really have no idea what it’s like until they try it.”
For more information or if you are interested in signing up for a class, please visit Rivercityrowing.org.
“I just think that rowing has so much to offer, and it’s great to try something new in life,” Ericsson said. “These kids grow up doing these spots, but if it’s not inspiring to them, try something different. You shouldn’t keep doing the same thing just because you grew up with it unless you really love it. Rowing is so different, so I’d encourage people to take a short class and see what it’s like. They may find out it’s really exciting in their life.”