About Us
Follow links at right for more media coverage of the Oakland Strokes.
We build student athletes
Over 200 members strong, the renowned Oakland Strokes rowing club welcomes middle and high school students from across the Bay Area.
Nationally recognized 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. This fall, 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 founds Oakland Strokes as a 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; our 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
1998 Men’s varsity eight finished second place at the National Youth Invitational
1999 Men’s varsity take bronze at U.S. Rowing National Youth Invitational
2001 Oakland Strokes moves to Jack London Aquatic Center
2005 Women’s eight, women’s lightweight eight and men’s four capture gold at U.S. Rowing National Youth Invitational
2010 Women’s pair wins national, world championships
2011 Strokes take the women’s points trophy at U.S. Rowing Southwest Junior District Championships
2011 Strokes move into custom built Tidewater Boating Center on East Bay Regional Park District’s Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline
2011 Women’s eight takes gold at the Head of the Charles
HOW TO JOIN