Best Places to Row in Los Angeles

Despite the title, rowing in Los Angeles is mostly done in sheltered harbours and lakes. The Los Angeles River is largely a concrete flood channel and is not generally suitable. Rules and access change, so check with a club before you go.

Marina del Rey

This large marina has calm, protected water. UCLA’s rowing teams practise here from their boathouse on Fiji Way, and California Yacht Club runs adult rowing classes and masters rowing. Ask each programme about its rules for visitors, since some options need a membership. Mornings are usually calmest, and boat traffic from sailing and motor vessels needs attention. Expect wind to build in the afternoon, and give way to larger craft.

Long Beach Marine Stadium and Alamitos Bay

Long Beach has a long rowing history. The Marine Stadium hosted rowing at the 1932 Olympic Games. It sits within Alamitos Bay, where Long Beach State’s Beach Crew rows, and the Pete Archer Rowing Center beside it is home to Long Beach Junior Crew. The city sets hours for rowing and water skiing on the Marine Stadium, so check them before you plan a session. Sheltered water makes it a good option for training.

Lake Casitas

Lake Casitas, in Ventura County, hosted rowing and canoe sprint at the 1984 Olympic Games. Use of the lake is regulated: the water district requires a mandatory inspection and a 35-day quarantine before any vessel launches, and it sets limits on boat size, so check the rules and your club’s arrangements. It is a drive from central Los Angeles, so plan travel time.

Los Angeles River and Ballona Creek

These are mostly concrete channels, and they are not recommended for rowing. If you see them listed elsewhere, treat them with caution.

How the options compare

Place	Water	Best for
Marina del Rey	Sheltered marina, boat traffic	Club training, mornings
Long Beach Marine Stadium	Sheltered, racing-style water	Training and regattas
Alamitos Bay	Sheltered bay	Club and university rowing
Lake Casitas	Lake, regulated use	Events and programmes

Conditions to expect

Southern California mornings are often calm, with wind picking up in the afternoon. Marine haze can reduce visibility, and sun is strong for much of the year. Water is warmer than in northern waters, but a capsize in cooler months can still cause a cold shock, so follow your club’s safety guidance. In harbours, expect wakes from other boats and learn the local rules about right of way.

Planning your first outing

Start by contacting a club or programme and asking whether they take beginners or guests, which water they use and what their safety rules are. Some programmes run learn-to-row courses and others focus on competitive squads, so ask which fits you. If you are visiting from elsewhere, ask whether you can hire a boat or join a session as a guest, and what level of experience they expect. If you are planning a trip further afield, the best 6 locations to row in Europe compares six well-known waters.

Arrive early, since mornings are calmest and parking is easier. Before you launch, look at the water and note the wind direction, the other boats in the channel and the position of the sun. In a marina, move away from the main channel quickly and keep to the side designated for rowing. Agree a turn-around point and a time to return, and tell someone ashore where you are going.

Rowing in a harbour

Harbour rowing is different from a river or a lake. The water is usually sheltered, but boat wakes make the surface lumpy, and larger vessels have less room to manoeuvre than you do. Keep a good lookout in every direction, listen for engines and horns, and give commercial and sailing vessels plenty of space. A cox or a rear-view mirror can help in a harbour. Wear bright clothing so others see you, and avoid rowing near dusk unless your club has lighting rules.

Tips

• Contact a club for a trial session or guest access.
• Check wind, since afternoon breezes can make water choppy.
• Watch for boat traffic in harbours.
• Wear sun protection; see protecting yourself from the sun while rowing.
• Carry water, since there may be no shade or fountains at the launch.
• Never row alone in a harbour channel used by larger vessels.

See how to choose the best rowing location, the 10 best rowing locations in the USA and the clubs hub.