Lassso directory listing
- Category
- Rowing Clubs
- Location
- Minneapolis, MN
- Rating
- 4.4 stars from 31 Google reviews
About
Minneapolis Rowing Club (MRC) is a *member-owned community rowing club* on the Mississippi River, tucked under the Lake Street bridge just minutes from downtown Minneapolis. With roughly *480 members* ranging in age from 11 to their 80s, it's one of the region's largest and most established clubs.
The club's roots run deep: it traces its origins to *1877* — when a small group first rowed together as the Lurline Boat Club — and was formally incorporated in *1938*. Today it's a nonprofit run by a volunteer board of governors and a club manager rather than a private owner.
MRC rows on a rare stretch of water: *five-plus miles of the Mississippi* with no public boat access, so the river stays calm and quiet. You're in the middle of Minneapolis, yet the tree-lined banks make it feel *completely secluded*.
What to expect
Programs cover every level. *Learn-to-Row* courses welcome adults and high schoolers with no experience, and summer camps introduce middle schoolers to the sport. From there, adult rowers move from novice to green to *recreational and competitive teams*, with independent rowing and private lessons also available.
Juniors get their own track. A *middle school program* (grades 6–8) and a *high school junior team* (ages 14–18) practice afternoons in the spring and fall and mornings through the summer, building both technique and fitness.
Highlights
The setting is the headline feature. Members consistently praise the *beautiful, secluded river*, shared only with University of Minnesota crews — no motorboats, no public launches, just water and tree-lined shoreline in the heart of the city.
MRC is intentionally *welcoming and inclusive*, working to open a historically exclusive sport to newcomers of all ages. Communication is a priority, from a weekly member newsletter to transparent, coach-led team selection.
Pricing
Fees vary by program. *Adult membership* is $535 for experienced rowers, or $285 for novices who've completed a Learn-to-Row course, and full-season *competitive and U30 programs* run $525. The *junior team* is $650 for the fall season, plus a racing tank for those new to the program.
MRC keeps the sport reachable with *installment plans and a sliding fee scale* offered as needed. Membership includes use of the clubhouse and the club's fleet, so most rowers don't need to buy their own equipment to get started.
Good to know
The boathouse is *seasonal*, open from mid-March until early November — once the Mississippi ices over, rowing pauses for the winter and the competitive season generally runs April through early November.
MRC sits at *2965 West River Parkway*, under the Lake Street bridge on the river's west bank. Membership, program registration, and renewals are handled online through the club's website.
New to the sport? *Start with Learn-to-Row* — no experience or equipment needed, since the club provides boats and instruction. It's the standard on-ramp before joining a novice or recreational team.
Recent reviews
Decently secluded spot to lay out on a dock on the river. Parking was easy. Easy walk down to the water. Saw a couple big groups of people. Could not tell if it was private or public, but seemed to be fine that we were…
Ava · 4/5 · a year ago
I participated in both Experience Rowing and adult Learn To Row with MRC in 2016. I joined the Novice team in 2016 and as a result have met some of my best friends, gained an entirely new skill set, and discovered a…
Anne Beckman · 5/5 · 4 years ago
Great club, great coaches. I loved rowing, but hated being coxswain for the men’s competitive team. I’d say 75% of the men at this club are great, and the other 25% have egos that won’t fit in an 8 person boat so…
Leah Simmons · 4/5 · 8 months ago
