Intro to Rowing Skill Share Seattle July 2026

Join Queer Scouts Seattle and the Lake Washington Rowing Club for an in-person, introduction to rowing skill share. We will be meeting at the Lake Washington Rowing Club to learn sweep rowing from our friends at the Rowing Club. This event will start at the boathouse where the event host will teach us a little about the boats and our rowing activity before we carry the boats out of the boathouse and down to the docks. At the docks, we will spend time familiarizing ourselves with the boats and the mechanics of rowing before we head out onto the water for about an hour of coordinated rowing time. We will then carry the boats back to the boathouse to store them. After we are done rowing, we will time for have snacks and socializing with the Rowing Club volunteers. Event will be occurring rain or shine; see accessiblity information below for more information. Out of respect for our hosts, please be sure to cancel your ticket or let us know if you are unable to attend. 

NOTE: In addition to the normal liability waiver that you agree to when getting tickets to Queer Scouts events, participants in this events will be required to sign an additional liability waiver for the Lake Washington Rowing Club when you arrive for the event. 

Please note: Queer Scouts is a substance-free group. Please do not drink alcohol, smoke, or otherwise partake during this event.

CANCELLATIONS:

If you are unable to come, please cancel your ticket or email lauren@queerscouting.com. You may cancel your own ticket and receive a refund up to one hour before the event. We will keep all transaction fees and any remaining funds you paid will be returned to the original payment method. There is no shame for a last minute cancellation, but we sometimes have waitlists and cancelling tickets allows us to free up spots for others.

ACCESSIBILITY TRANSPARENCY:

Physical: 

This event requires requires participants to help team carry a boat from the boathouse, down a ramp to the dock, and into the water. This video gives an example of this procedure. While life vests are not required to be worn during this activity, the Rowing Club has some available for those who wish to wear them. 

Sensory: 

This event will be occurring mostly outdoors in July. The event will be moved indoors only in the event of severe weather (ex. wind or lightning) in which case we will take a tour of the boathouse and then do a session on the rowing machines. If you would like to bring extra clothes, you can change after the row.  

During the time we are on the water rowing, each boat will have a coxswain who will steer the boat and tell the rowers what to do. Each boat will also have their own coach who will be in a motor boat near the launch telling the rowers what to do. The coxswain gives various commands but the coach is the one running the show and everyone needs to be quiet when the coach speaks. You will be required to tolerate ambient noise while also listening for and following directions from the coxswain and coach to keep us all on the same page and safe during this activity. 

Immune System Safety: 

Queer Scouts understands that access to the Covid-19 vaccine is currently in flux. Washington State Department of Health has issued a standing order to allow healthcare providers and pharmacists in WA to administer Covid vaccines to anyone age 6mo+. The vaccine is covered by WA Apple Health Medicaid and many other insurance plans. Queer Scouts recognizes that some insurance plans may not cover the vaccine at this time, which has led to inequal access. We are temporarily removing the requirement for vaccination at our in-person events. If you are physically and financially able to be vaccinated, we STRONGLY ENCOURAGE getting an updated dose of the 2025-26 Covid vaccine.  

In addition, while we HIGHLY SUGGEST that all Scouts attending wear a high quality mask ( ex. n95/kn95+) at all times, we can not require this of the Rowing Club volunteers so it is possible that some of our hosts may not be masked. Other unmasked Rowing Club general members may also be in our vicinity, especially while we are in and around the boathouse. Finally, folks will be unmasking to eat snacks during the final half hour of this event.

We have 7 tickets for Scouts, plus Iris will be attending to represent Queer Scout Leadership. Our group will also include several Rowing Club volunteers. 

Financial: 

This event is FREE for all attendees. If you'd like to make a donation, follow the directions later in the ticket process. Feel free to donate as little or as much as you are able. Donations support us in continuing to make Queer Scouts programming available & accessible to everyqueer.

Transit:

Parking: Paid parking is available in the lot next to the the boathouse. Free street parking is also available within one to two blocks of the location.

Buses: The Metro Routes 31, 32, and 62 all have stops within a few blocks of this location. Additionally, Routes 5 and 28 have stops about half a mile away.  

Biking: Location is just off the Burke-Gilman Trail. Bike racks are available next to the boathouse. 

Bathroom: 

There are several bathrooms available in the boathouse. The main floor has one accessible bathroom that is gender neutral. The upstairs bathrooms are gendered and up two flights of stairs. Please remember that we will be out on the water rowing and away from restroom facilities for about an hour.