Women in Sport Week, led by Sport Ireland, is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the growing number of women and girls participating across every level of rowing. This year’s theme, “Same Energy,” reflects the unique passion, commitment, and enthusiasm that women bring not only as athletes, but also as coaches, volunteers, officials, and leaders. When we think of how women participate in rowing, it redefines energy. At Rowing Ireland, we are proud to support this energy through a wide range of participation initiatives designed to make rowing accessible, welcoming, and inclusive for women and girls across the country.

From first-time participants to lifelong members of the rowing community, our programmes aim to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to discover the benefits of our sport. You can read below about our initiatives and how to get involved.

Get Going, Get Rowing

Our flagship participation initiative, Get Going Get Rowing, continues to play a vital role in introducing new participants to the sport in a supportive and accessible way. This beginner-friendly indoor rowing programme provides a welcoming environment where participants can build confidence, develop fitness, and learn new skills at their own pace.

Get Going Get Rowing has proven particularly successful in encouraging female participation by creating social, inclusive spaces that prioritise enjoyment, wellbeing, and personal achievement. Many women who begin through this programme go on to join rowing clubs, participate in Learn to Row courses, or continue indoor rowing as part of their active lifestyle. In 2025, Get Going Get Rowing engaged 51,000 students across Ireland.

To get involved with Get Going Get Rowing, email getrowingmanager@rowingireland.ie

Women on the Water

Women on the Water was designed to introduce adult women to rowing at a recreational level—no previous experience needed.

  • The aim is to provide a welcoming pathway for women who want to try rowing without committing to competitive racing.
  • It’s part of Rowing Ireland’s broader Women in Sport strategy, which focuses on increasing female participation, confidence, and long-term involvement in rowing.

How the course works

Typical structure:

  • Duration: Usually 6–8 weeks.
  • Frequency: About one session per week, led by trained coaches.
  • Progression:
    • Starts on rowing machines (ergs)
    • Then moves onto the water in boats
    • Teaches basic rowing technique, safety, and drills

Who can join

  • Women aged 18 or older
  • Complete beginners welcome
  • You don’t need to be fit or athletic to start
  • It’s aimed mainly at recreational rowers; sometimes, women decide to progress to Masters rowing

Many clubs also offer follow-on intermediate sessions if you want to continue after the beginner course.

What the participant gets from it:

Benefits reported by participants and clubs include:

  • Learning a new sport in a safe, supportive environment
  • Improving fitness and wellbeing
  • Meeting new people and making friends
  • Opportunity to join your local rowing club long-term
  • Building confidence on the water

Hundreds of women have taken part in the initiative to date and a number of clubs are beginning preparations to host sessions in Spring 2026. The programme runs at clubs all over the country and will be advertised on the Rowing Ireland website in the coming weeks.

What the club gets from it:

  • Broadens and diversifies membership base
  • Coaches can receive financial support, or the clubs can put their revenue into the development of the club

To get involved with Women on the Water, email Womeninsport@rowingireland.ie

Lift, Row, Glow

Lift, Row, Glow is a participation initiative by Rowing Ireland, funded by the Sport Ireland ‘HerMoves’ campaign. The programme is designed to empower teenage girls to engage in physical activity in a fun, supportive environment. Delivered in partnership with Weightlifting Ireland and piloted in secondary schools, the initiative combines indoor rowing with basic weightlifting exercises to introduce girls to different forms of movement and strength training. Through energetic, inclusive sessions, the programme encourages girls who may not traditionally participate in sport to build confidence, develop physical literacy, and experience the social and health benefits of being active. By presenting rowing and strength training in an enjoyable and accessible way, Lift, Row, Glow helps break down barriers to participation and promotes positive attitudes toward women’s lifelong involvement in sport.

Rise & Row

Rise & Row is an indoor rowing programme developed by Rowing Ireland to provide a structured introduction to rowing and general fitness. The programme typically runs over six weeks and includes coached sessions that focus on improving rowing technique, building cardiovascular fitness, and developing strength through the use of the rowing machine. Designed to be accessible to beginners and those returning to exercise, Rise & Row creates a welcoming and social environment where participants can build confidence and motivation while learning a new skill. Indoor rowing is a low-impact, full-body workout that engages most major muscle groups, making it particularly suitable for individuals of varying fitness levels. Programmes like Rise & Row contribute to increasing women’s participation in sport by providing supportive entry points into physical activity, helping women feel more comfortable, confident, and connected within sporting environments.

To get involved with Rise and Row, email indoorrowing@rowingireland.ie