National Learn to Row Day takes place annually on the first Saturday in June — and here in Long Beach, we are “rowing” out the red carpet.
The Long Beach Rowing Association will participate in the national learning day by hosting a free event from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 6, at Pete Archer Rowing Center, 5750 Boathouse Lane, at Marine Stadium.
“One of the great things about rowing is that people with different fitness levels can row together successfully,” said LBRA President Hanne Chupik. “Each person can adjust the intensity simply by how hard they pull, making it a very inclusive sport.”
Rowing slang, however, can be mind-boggling.
The Long Beach Rowing Association will host a National Learn to Row Day event on Saturday, June 6. (Photo courtesy of the Long Beach Rowing Association)
The Long Beach Rowing Association will host a National Learn to Row Day event on Saturday, June 6. (Photo courtesy of the Long Beach Rowing Association)
The Long Beach Rowing Association will host a National Learn to Row Day event on Saturday, June 6. (Photo courtesy of the Long Beach Rowing Association)
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The Long Beach Rowing Association will host a National Learn to Row Day event on Saturday, June 6. (Photo courtesy of the Long Beach Rowing Association)
Some people, for example, might suddenly “catch a crab,” which is when the oar gets caught/stuck in the water.
Sugaring is rowing that looks good from a distance – but in reality, the rower is going through the motions with little effort being put in.
Swing is a rowing term used when participants are in the zone. It refers to a sensation of near perfection, a state in which all rowers in the boat are seemingly in a symphony of harmonic motion with no wasted energy.
“You can tell someone, ‘You were flying out there today,’” Chupik said. “That means that they probably used a lot of energy even though it looked effortless.”
This year, a series of stations will be set up, offering an opportunity to tour the boathouse, and learn its history and a bit more about the sport.
At the first station, visitors can view demonstrations and learn techniques on the indoor rowing machine, or erg. The erg station will include viewing a Roworx indoor rowing class and LBRA members will guide participants on stationary ergs, as well as ergs on slides.
At the next station, members will explain the basic types and parts of racing shells to guests.
After erging and learning about the equipment, participants can move out to the dock, where dock masters will assign them to one of the many boats on the water.
“We use the quadruple scull and the eight so they have an option to try sculling and sweep in a team boat,” Chupik said, adding that LBRA will also offer a tethered training single. “In addition, prior to getting in a boat, participants can receive instruction on the dock-box rowing simulator.”
Once on the water, experienced coxswains and rowers will assist the newbies and help them grasp the basics of the rowing stroke. Coaching launches will escort the boats as they row in the closed 1,000-meter section of Marine Stadium. Those planning on going out on the water must be able to swim. Organizers suggest wearing athletic clothing, such as yoga pants or bike shorts. Also, bring socks.
For more details, go to longbeachrowing.org.
McCormick Divers
Rising junior diving athletes Evelyn Wang and Katherine Mo delivered impressive performance at the 2026 TYR Junior America’s Cup Diving Competition, which took place on May 23 in Mission Viejo, according to Debby McCormick of McCormick Divers.
The international event featured some of the best junior divers in the world, bringing together elite athletes from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, Haiti, Chinese Taipei and Iran.
Wang and Mo qualified for the competition after being selected as members of the USA Diving High Performance Squad, an honor that recognizes the nation’s top junior diving athletes.
In the 16-18 girls platform event, Wang advanced through the preliminary rounds and earned an outstanding fourth-place finish in the finals, with a score of 368.35. In the 3-meter springboard event, her dive on 305C (reverse 2.5 somersaults in the tuck position) earned an impressive 63.00 points, while her 205B ( back 2.5 somersaults in the pike position) received 58.80 points from the judges. Wang achieved a total score of 384.95, securing fifth place.
Mo, meanwhile, also delivered a standout performance against top international competition and placed fifth overall in the 14-15 girls platform event. She successfully debuted two highly difficult new dives in an international competition, both from the 10-meter platform: a 405B (inward 2.5 somersaults in the pike position) and a 5251B (back 2.5 somersaults with a half twist in the pike position).
“Evelyn and Katherine’s strong performances and international experience,” McCormick wrote in a text message, “mark another important milestone in their growing diving careers.”