Rhythm on the Brunswick River

What began with a handful of experienced rowers has grown into Belville Community Rowing, a nonprofit club centered on recreation, accessibility and time on the water.

In 2019 a small group of experienced rowers, then dubbed Eagles Island Community Rowing, was looking for a calm, scenic and peaceful environment to row together, and the Brunswick River provided the right conditions.

What started with five founding members has grown into Belville Community Rowing, a nonprofit organization with more than 20 members on its roster.

Mary Wooten and Marisa Scott, co-chairpersons of the organization, say the club was created to make rowing accessible in an area where opportunities are limited. Many of the founding members came from rowing backgrounds in other places and wanted a local option that focused on recreation and community rather than competition. But they also needed a home base and a place to properly store their boats.

Because rowing shells are long, lightweight and require careful handling, storage was essential.

“You really need a launch point that has calm water, and you need to be able to safely store the equipment and the boats,” Scott explains.

After approaching town officials, members were granted permission to construct a boatyard at Belville Riverwalk Park. The members funded the building of the boatyard, and that’s when the organization changed its name to Belville Community Rowing.

The community practices sculling, a form of rowing that differs from traditional sweep rowing because each rower handles two oars instead of one.

Members row in sliding-seat boats known as sculls. The fleet includes singles, doubles and four-person boats called quads. The design is different from a traditional rowboat, where rowers use their legs to generate power.

“That is, the legs that do the work rather than the arms,” Wooten says, describing what often surprises beginners.

The organization places a strong emphasis on teaching new rowers through its Learn to Row program, which Wooten leads. Designed for beginners as well as people returning to the sport, the program starts with an on-land orientation that introduces the parts of the boat and basic rowing technique. Participants then practice strokes on an “oar master,” a dock-based setup that allows them to feel the movement before entering the water. By the second day, learners move into a stable four-person boat with experienced rowers.

“We only take one to three learn-to-row students at a time,” Wooten says, explaining that the small groups allow for individual attention.

For Scott, part of the appeal of the sport is the coordination required when rowing with others. In multi-person boats, rowers face backward, relying on a teammate to steer and set direction.

“The boat goes backwards, so you don’t see where you’re going,” she says. “I’ve got to trust Mary, the coach, that she’s steering and going in the right place and we’re not going to hit anything.”

Members must be at least 18 years old, able to lift about 40 pounds and with enough mobility to safely enter and exit the boat from the dock.

While the sport requires physical effort, rowing is approachable for a wide range of ages. The member roster includes rowers from their thirties into their seventies.

Safety is a consistent focus for the community. Weather conditions, wind, water temperature and tides are all considered before heading out. The group follows what rowers call the “rule of a hundred,” combining air and water temperatures to evaluate safe conditions. Members are required to row with at least one other person on the water, and all participants must maintain membership with US Rowing for liability coverage and insurance purposes.

Rowing schedules are coordinated through a shared app, allowing members to plan outings around changing conditions. Most rows take place in the mornings or afternoons, depending on the season. While many rowing clubs focus on short training sessions, Belville Community Rowing often chooses longer recreational rows. Members regularly cover three to five miles and occasionally much more.

“We just did a nine-and-a-half-mile row,” Scott says. “We’ve also completed a 13-mile route around nearby islands.”

For many members, those longer rows are part of what makes the experience different. The Brunswick River offers changing scenery, wildlife and opportunities to see local history from the water.

“One of our members is a retired archaeologist, and he’ll point out cypress trees and the rice fields and tell us the history,” Scott says.

The culture of the group reflects a mix of backgrounds and shared interests. Members include educators, nurses, retirees and professionals from different fields who are drawn together by an interest in outdoor activity and time on the water. The community also holds social gatherings, including holiday parties and summer barbecues, which help maintain a community-focused atmosphere.

Affordability is another priority. Rowing equipment can be expensive, but membership gives participants access to the boats, oars and other gear without purchasing their own.

“The fact that that’s all provided for a low membership fee is just really unfounded,” Wooten says, noting that the arrangement makes the sport available to people who might not otherwise be able to participate.

As Belville Community Rowing continues to grow, current members hope to reach more residents who may not know rowing is available locally.

Learn to Row programs are planned throughout the year, offering newcomers a structured introduction and a chance to explore the sport in a supportive setting.

For the members already on the water, the attraction remains simple. Rowing provides exercise, teamwork and time outdoors. As Scott puts it, “Being on the river allows rowers to really enjoy the water and the nature, and it becomes your Zen.”

JOIN THE CREW
Belville Community Rowing
For more information on the Belville Community Rowing or becoming a member:
belivillecommunityrowing.com