Collegiate Membership

College-age rowers who have previous rowing experience may register at the collegiate level. We welcome back previous DMR youth rowers who want to continue rowing, and/or collegiate rowers who want to train during the summer in sweeping and/or sculling. While this is not a structured program, collegiate rowers are welcome to join masters’ crews or create opportunities with other collegiate rowers for sweep and sculling. Registration for our collegiate summer program will be available April 1, 2026.

Masters Program

Rowers above the age of 21 are considered master rowers, the age group that forms the bulk of the Des Moines Rowing Club. While many of our rowers have graduated from our novice program, we welcome rowers and coxswains transferring from other clubs or coming back to rowing after a hiatus. Our Programs Registration page covers the steps to register as a new or returning Masters rower.

Row & Renew

Des Moines Rowing joined forces with Above & Beyond Cancer in 2024 to offer cancer survivors a 12-week indoor rowing session as an evidence-based program for building total body strength, improving balance, mobility, and building community and confidence. Learn more about the Row & Renew program.

Accessible Membership Initiative

Our Accessible Membership Initiative (AMI) welcomes anyone who is interested in trying rowing in a safe and controlled environment. Because of our specialized equipment we are able to take guests out on the water after 15 minutes of land instruction. We follow up with extensive training for anyone who wants to become a rower and ultimately, offer para-rowing to those who want to compete. Currently we work with people who have spinal cord injury, vision impairment and PTSD. We welcome the opportunity to serve challenged athletes outside of these three demographics. New AMI rowers register as AMI Novices for the first year, and then as AMI Masters. Learn more about our AMI Program