Rough Water Clinic - November 8, 2025
The Rough Water Clinic (RWC) is taught by Coach Stefan Benton several times per year. It is held on a weekend day where the timing and intensity of the flood tide align. Saturday, November 8, 2025, is the next such date.
The purpose of the RWC is to educate rowers about the variable winds and tides of the San Francisco Bay, and to teach the mindset and technique necessary to safely and confidently navigate the dynamic Bay conditions. Stefan likes to say, “The goal of the RWC is to redefine your definition of rough water.”
San Francisco Bay is a tidal estuary. A massive amount of water enters and leaves the bay twice every 24 hours. Even on the glassiest of flat-water days, where tidal currents are changing direction the water can be unexpectedly rough. It is difficult to see coming and easy to be surprised by it. Therefore, OWRC requires successful completion of the Rough Water Clinic for any rowers wishing to row outside of Richardson Bay.
The 3-4 hour class starts with a lecture and presentation at the boat house covering tides, winds, skills and techniques, after which the class rows 3.5 miles to the North Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge (GGB), stopping along the way to observe and learn about the conditions in real time. The heart of the class takes place once we reach Lime Point, just inside the North Tower. The water is usually calm here and it gives us a base from which to enter and exit the rough water conditions created by the flood current passing by the North Tower.
Rowing under the Golden Gate Bridge past the North Tower happens often as part of the class exercise, but that is not the goal of the class. The goal of the class is to row in rough water and build confidence that you can do it safely. Not every student and not every class makes it past the Golden Gate Bridge during the exercise - it depends largely on the conditions that day. There is usually enough time to experience the rough water multiple times, and past students have shared that their confidence grew each time they ventured into the rough water. In fact, many students take the RWC multiple times to build their confidence and practice their skills over multiple outings, growing a little more each time.
Flipping does happen infrequently - it’s part of open water rowing - so it is important that each rower complete a flip test prior to participating in this class.
We then row the 3.5 miles back to the boat house, riding the flood tide which makes the return journey a bit easier and faster. After washing and racking the shell, we finish the day with a short debrief.
This class is intended for rowers who have been rowing for a while, are very comfortable in their boat in “normal conditions,” and who feel ready for the next stage of progression in their rowing. As a baseline, you should be able to row 3 miles in 40 minutes comfortably.
This class is not for rowers who are relatively new and are still building confidence in their rowing skills on open water. If you are not sure if you’re ready for this class, please ask the staff or one of our coaches.
The lesson begins at the Liz Stone Boathouse at 9:00 AM. The cost is $150.00 and includes a boat rental if needed.
Please contact the OWRC Boathouse for scheduling details (415-332-1091) or register online with the button below.
