About Us

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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