We build student athletes

Established in 1974, the Oakland Strokes rowing club welcomes middle and high school students from across the Bay Area to offer youth rowing on the Oakland Estuary.

Nationally recognized college coaches seek our rowers based on the strength of our community and our passion for instilling the best values of rowing.  Yes, we make boats go fast, but our larger goal is to build character and commitment in the young men and women of Oakland Strokes.

A life changing experience

We’ve sent scores of student athletes to prestigious college rowing programs across the country. Our alumni tell us again and again that the self-confidence, determination and lifelong friendships they forged at Oakland Strokes are among the most important treasures of their lives.

Major competitions

Our boats consistently place and win at regional, national and world championships and are invited to prestigious international rowing events such as the Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames in London and the Head of the Charles in Massachusetts. In 2011 our women’s eight won the Head of the Charles. In 2010, our women’s pair won world high school championships.

Key events in Oakland Strokes history

1974    Ed Lickiss starts Oakland Strokes as a youth women’s rowing club

1975    Women win National High School Championship

1978    Women’s pair takes eighth place at World High School Championship

1978    Women win National High School Championship

1979    Men’s four takes the gold medal at the Second National Sports Festival

1983    Women win first place, men take second place at the Far East International Rowing Regatta

1989    Men’s varsity eight and four take gold at California Junior Rowing Association

            Women are named team champion 

1990    Men’s novice eight takes gold at California Junior Rowing Association

            Men’s varsity eight and women’s novice eight take bronze

1995    Men’s novice 8 wins at Southwest Regional Junior Championship

1997    Women’s novice 8 win at Southwest Regional Junior Championship

1998    Mens varsity 8 wins at the Newport & Stanford Fall Regattas, San Diego Crew Classic,                 Windemere Cup, Seattle and South West Regional Championships.

            Men’s Varsity Eight JV Eight, Varsity Four A, Novice Eight A & B take gold medal an the                Southwest Regional Junior Championship

            Men’s varsity eight finished second at the National Youth Invitational

1999    Mens varsity 8 wins at the Newport & Stanford Fall Regattas, San Diego Crew Classic,                Windemere Cup, Seattle and South West Regional Championships

            Men’s varsity take bronze at U.S. Rowing National Youth Invitational

2001    Oakland Strokes moves to Jack London Aquatic Center or JLAC

             Men’s lightweight 8 win at South West Junior regional

2002    Women’s Var 8, novice 8A & 8B,frosh 8 take 1st place at SW Junior Regional Championships.

2003    Women’s lightweight eight capture gold at U.S. Rowing National Youth Invitational

            Men’s novice 8 and 4 win at South West Junior championships

            Men’s varsity 8 win at Windermere cup in Seattle.

2004    Women’s varsity eight capture gold and women’s lightweight eight take silver at U.S. Rowing                National Youth Invitational.

            Men’s & women’s novice 8A, women’s var 8 and women’s lightweight 8 take 1st place at the                South West Junior Championships

2005    Women’s varsity eight, women’s lightweight eight and men’s four capture gold at U.S. Rowing                National Youth Invitational.

            Women’s varsity eight win the Peabody Cup at the Women’s Henley on the Thames, UK

2006    Women’s varsity eight takes silver at U.S. Rowing National Youth Invitational.  

            Women’s varsity eight win the Peabody Cup at the Women’s Henley on the Thames, UK

2009    Women’s pair captures gold at U.S. Rowing National Youth Invitational

2010    Women’s varsity eight takes silver at U.S. Rowing National Youth Invitational

            Novice men win the 8+ and 4+ at the southwest junior championship.

2011    Women’s lightweight eight takes silver at U.S. Rowing National Youth Invitational.  

            Oakland Strokes earns women’s points trophy at Southwest Junior Championships

            Oakland Strokes moves to custom built Tidewater Boating Center in partnership with East Bay                Regional Park District

            Women’s eight takes gold at the Head of the Charles

            Womens novice, freshman and 3v 8’s, men’s pair, and men’s and women’s novice 4s win at                south west junior regional championships

2012    Women’s eight and lightweight eight capture gold at U.S. Rowing National Youth Invitational

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