NORWOOD -- Rowing club the Grateful Oars has begun its spring membership sign-up period and training, and people can try it and find out more in June.

Rowing on Norwood Lake from May to October, the club has an active membership of around two dozen men and women, many of whom have rowed since the club began in 1997. Club members range in age from their college years to their sixties and seventies. The only age limit is that rowers must be at least 14.

Rowing is a full-body fitness sport that is enjoyed by thousands of people all over the world. Non-jarring, but working all the major muscle groups, rowing can even be enjoyed by athletic people who have had to give up running and some other fitness activities. Club members say that knee and hip replacement need not prevent someone from rowing. Some members enjoy racing, but most row for fitness and for the fun of it. A few members row single sculls as well, but the club is based on rowing crew boats. “Crew” is a social sport.

The Grateful Oars row in four and eight-oared rowing shells. Most members row at least one evening per week, but members are not limited in their rowing. Some members row in all female or all male crews, but there are crews with mixed memberships as well. The club does not have a youth program at this time.

It is not necessary to join the club in order to find out if you like rowing. The club will hold an information session and dry land training on June 2, with on-water instruction June 9 and 16. All sessions will run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. If a session has to be cancelled due to weather, another will be held June 23.

The cost of the three learning sessions is $25, due on June 2. The fee can be applied to the cost of a regular membership.

Those who have rowed in the past need not go through the learning period. There is no swim test, but all rowers should know how to swim and will be asked if they can. Participants will sign a U.S. Rowing Association liability waiver.

Membership in the rowing club costs $100 for an unlimited regular membership. Regular members are assured of a scheduled crew assignment. The club also has a $50 alternate membership for experienced rowers who only want to fill in as needed.

Interested people may call Dick Mooers at 854-4186 for information about the club.