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