Learn to Row Instructor

So you want to be a LTR Instructor?

You will be working with all beginner rowers, whether they are 12 or 55 years old. The main objectives in this context are to learn basic rowing technique allowing comfortable, injury-free rowing. While it is important to recruit participants, it is also important to retain members.

Who: Youth, kids camps, adult learn to row, adapted rowing, high schcool and university learn to row, and corporate challenge

This workshop prepares the instructor to teach basic rowing technique and to provide a safe and quality experience for the new rower.

After Learn to Row, rowers can choose which path they would like to follow - Training to Train (excellence, high performance pathway), Competitive for Life (competitive rowing - masters or other), Rowing for Life (recreational, rowing for fitness and health).

Step 1:

Contact your Provincial Rowing Association to find out when there is a LTR workshop being hosted or see the RCA national calendar.

Step 2:

Participate in the workshop and get the "trained" designation.

This workshop is 1.5 days. However, clubs can request that the workshop be extended to go into more depth in the areas of rowing technique. The workshop is comprised of both classroom and "at the boathouse" sessions. LTR Instructor candidates will instruct real beginner participants during one of the workshop segments. Considerable attention and practice relate to safety, professional roles and responsibilities and how to effectively teach a beginner how to row.

The workshop content is intended to provide the instructor with knowledge, skills and abilities to instruct 10- 12 lessons learn to row session with beginners. It is not intended to prepare the instructor to work with rowers going to competition.

Outcomes trained and evaluated:

Outcome Trained Evaluated
Make Ethical Decisions x x
Plan a Practice x x
Support to Athletes in Training x x
Analyze Performance x x
Design a Sport Program x
Support the Competitive Experience
Manage a Sport Program
Drive a Motor Boat x


Upon completion of the workshop, the instructor candidate will get a "trained" designation in the NCCP database.

Trained = These are the outcomes that are trained in the workshop with rowing specific and some multi-sport content. Upon completion, the instructor will get a "trained" designation in the NCCP database.

Step 3:

Once you have received your NCCP number from the CAC, complete the online evaluation for Make Ethical Decisions

Step 4:

Review the LTR Evaluation Toolkit (link) and determine if you are ready to participate in the evaluation.

Evaluated = These are the outcomes that will be evaluated by a trained evaluator through reviewing the instructor candidate's: portfolio submission, observing the instructor's LTR lesson and their ability to deter and correct skill error using video.

Step 5:

When you are ready to be evaluated, contact your provincial rowing association to set-up this evaluation.

Step 6:

Once you have successfully demonstrated your abilities in each of the outcomes and successfully completed the online Make Ethical Decisions evaluation, you will be certified as a LTR Instructor.

Additional Training Opportunity

LTR Instructor - Adaptive
Rowing Canada Aviron has developed a 1.5 day workshop that deals specifically with introducing people with a disability to rowing. The primary focus of the workshop is ensure safety and injury-free rowing for people with a disability as they are introduced to our sport. While much of a LTR experiences are the same, the LTR Instructor- Adaptive workshop focuses on some of the equipment needs, classification, analyzing technique in the AS, TA, LTA rower. There is also an introduction to setting up a welcoming environment for adaptive rowers.

Presently, we are working with the NCCP to get this to appear on the Instructor's NCCP transcript as a professional development workshop.

Challenging the Evaluation

An individual may choose not to participate in the RCA LTR Workshop and may decide that they can meet the evaluation standards without the training. They may also choose to get the required skills elsewhere.

Individuals can decide to go straight to the evaluation. In this case, they would contact their provincial rowing association and follow Step 3 to Step 6 as described above.

This instructor candidate will receive an "E" on their NCCP transcript and eventually a "C" for certified once all outcomes have been successfully completed.

Old NCCP to New NCCP

Currently, Rowing Canada Aviron is working with the NCCP to finalize the transfer of qualifications from the "old" NCCP database to the "new" NCCP database.
At this time, the following is being proposed to the Coaching Association and is subject to their approval.

Coaches, with full Level 1 certification, after 1998, will receive LTR certification after completion of the online Make Ethical Decisions evaluation and a copy of their Pleasure Craft Operators Certificate.