Non-rowers are very welcome on trips with Rowing The World. Sometimes even in the boat, especially if you are as small and as cute as Jackina, our mascot in Italy. Occasionally non-rowing people are in the rowing shells too, perhaps as a cox, or maybe as a passenger. On our Belize Oar Board trip, Julia, truly a good sport, got a ride out to the coral reefs for snorkeling.
Rowers are excited to travel to spectacular places to enjoy our favourite sport. For some, a trip can be even better when your spouse, partner or a good friend experiences these wonderful destinations with you. Clearly, rowing is the focus of our trips, although we enjoy other activities off the water, and not just superb dining in the evening. How do non-rowers fit in?
This year, we introduced two options for non-rowers on most trips, based on requests. The Fully Independent Non-rower gives you maximum flexibility to structure each day to suit yourself, while joining the group for evening activities plus breakfast. Our guides will be happy to provide suggestions and advice, but you must provide your own transportation, typically a rental car. The second option is Semi-guided Non-rower. The priority of the guides is to support the rowers, and you will be invited to join the rowers at breaks and for lunches. As much as possible, you will be able to enjoy other activities and sightseeing while the rowers are on the water. Transportation and lunches are included.
So how exactly do semi-guided non-rowers spend the day? Here are some examples. Our Mosel River trip is really perfect for cyclists, since a cycle path follows the river perfectly, with options for longer loops up into the hills. Walking choices also abound. On our Dordogne River tour, activities including walking, perhaps from Domme to Castelnaud, a kayak paddle on the river, or visiting one of the beautiful castles. Last year on the Lot River Weekend, non-rowers visited Peche Merle cave, sipped café au lait in charming villages and spent time in the support boat. The multi-sport options are many on our Irish tours: walking, kayaking and biking on Four Rivers and also golf with the Cork + Carbery Islands trip. Many non-rowers take the opportunity to enjoy some downtime, perhaps sleeping in one morning or just relaxing by the hotel pool or people watching in a café. Our safety boat for the Lago Maggiore trip, dubbed the “prosecco boat”, is perfect for a relaxing cruise on the lake. We are delighted that many non-rowers are very helpful with loading and unloading boats, buying and setting up picnics with the guides (a favourite on the Classic River Thames) and especially waving and cheering the rowers from the shore.
We like to know what interests non-rowers. We may be able to tweak and modify the offered program to better suit needs and preferences. Talk to us and we will be happy to see what might be possible.
We can’t help ourselves, here is another photo of Jackina, the most adorable non-rower ever.
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