Private and semi-private sculling lessons are available at the North Bay Rowing Club from several instructors. Listed in alphabetical order below, they can be contacted by using the e-mail contact page and selecting your instructor from the Category drop-down menu.

North Bay Rowing Club also offers several "Learn to Row" classes each year. These are taught in small groups of ten students per session and are designed to introduce beginners to sweep rowing.

Ann Bertucci

I received my US Rowing Level I-certification in January 2007. I enjoy working with beginning rowers of all ages. In addition to utilizing my prior coaching experience (cross country and track at the high school and college levels) and education (Masters degree in Human Performance & Sport Studies with an emphasis on Sport Psychology), I like applying my knowledge about the fundamental concepts of body mechanics and rowing, in order to help those new to the sport to gain a basic foundation of the mechanics of the rowing stroke --- that is, instructing beginners to learn how to row. Other interests include: training and conditioning, exercise and nutrition, prevention from injury, and preparation for competition.

Colene Mace

As an instructor, I can truthfully say that I love to teach beginners to row. I began rowing in whaleboats in 1985 in San Francisco Bay for the Anchor Steam Rowing Club (earlier known as the Embarcadero Rowing Club). Competition was lively there and I continued my rowing career at Marin Rowing club as a sculler and sweep rower from 1990 until 1995, competing many times in open water, sculling, and novice sweep rowing events. After moving to Petaluma in 1995, I continued competing in sculling events. Five years ago, I began teaching beginners to scull at North Bay Rowing Club. I completed the Level 1 Coaching clinic shortly thereafter and have been teaching beginners ever since. I also helped to develop our Learn to Row program at NBRC.

Ned Orrett

I enjoy evoking the skills needed to discover the beauty of rowing in either a single or team boat, especially amidst the spectacular gift of the Petaluma River. Still relatively new to rowing, I remember the challenge of initial learning whenever I work with beginners. While my rowing prowess is as yet unremarked in Rowing News, I rowed bow of a quad to the fastest time ever for an NBRC boat in a head race. Once a national-class cyclist, I understand the dedication required to excel as an athlete, and have experience as a teacher of environmental policy, ski mountaineering, and yes, Cajun dance. I love rowing, pick up tips voraciously (including those offered by Buzz Congram and US National Coach Tim McLaren), share the best in writing for members, and am a Level II US Rowing Coach.

Abigail Smyth

I offer personal and practical experience for rowers of all levels. Following a father and brother’s successes in the sport, I have competed in sprints to ultra-distance, open water racing. I share knowledge gained as a Division I varsity rower, U.S. under-23 national team member (women’s quad) and national and international masters medalist in both sweep and sculling. I emphasize the importance of injury prevention through strength training, aerobic workouts on- and off- the water, competitive training and technically correct rowing skills.