Two years ago, Mark Willis sat in a rowing shell for the first time as a student in the Virginia Boat Club's "Learn to Row" program, now he's president of that venerated Richmond sports institution and eager to have others come aboard.

"My wife Therese signed herself and a friend up for the Learn to Row, and I joined them," said Willis, who at the time was a dedicated and accomplished runner. "We found it's excellent cross-training for running, and we sort of got hooked on it. You get the power for the stroke out of your legs and back – about 75 percent – and the remainder is upper body. It's an all-body workout."

Not only is rowing a satisfying workout, but with the Virginia Boat Club's instruction program, it is simple to learn. First timers pay $200 for 12 lessons, three per week for four weeks. Equipment is provided and the course is taught on the James River in front of the Virginia Boat Club's downtown location at 4400 Main St., in the Old Richmond Raft Company building adjacent to the Rocketts Landing.

The Virginia Boat Club has a second boathouse at Robious Landing Park in Chesterfield County, but the Learn to Row lessons take place downtown. And there are still openings for the program which concludes with participation in the Rocketts Landing Sprint Regatta, part of the James River Adventure Games, on June 14. And there's a bonus:  "If they decide to join the club after the class, we waive the $50 initiation fee," Willis said. "Right now we have 110 members in the club. We are growing and looking to grow more."

Willis explains that all Learn to Row lessons takes place in stable sweep boats, which are four or eight-person craft, in which each rower has a single oar. "We like beginners to go into the sweep boats to learn the basics of teamwork and technique," says Willis.

Tina Andes, another recent Learn to Row grad, has within a couple of years progressed from novice rower in a sweep boat to skilled sculler, which means she uses two oars. She's also the co-site coordinator of the Rocketts Landing Spring Regatta which will have competitions for scullers and sweep rowers. As a VBC legacy member, Andes also recalls the storied Mayo Island clubhouse, which was destroyed by Hurricane Agnes in 1972.

"My family belonged to the Virginia Boat Club when I was a young girl," she explained. "It used to be quite a fancy place with a pool, the boat docks, a squash court and a club house with waiters. I didn't do much rowing at that time, my interest was the snack bar. But now I love rowing."

The Willises take a more modern view of the Virginia Boat Club. They have moved to Rocketts Landing and have made rowing an almost daily activity – something that is both physically and emotionally satisfying.

"When I train for running I'll go five to 15 miles," explains Mark Willis. "When I row I go five to eight miles. In terms of time, it's about the same overall time spent. And it's so great to be out on the river. Within a mile you're out in the wilderness with nature. Just one mile downstream from the Terminal, you see bald eagles."

Willis says the future of the Virginia Boat Club looks good as it is slated to be housed at Rocketts Landing in the basement of a refurbished building amidst restaurants and stores that will be open to the public. "Ultimately, what we'd like to do with the club is be more active in the community," he said.

More information on the Virginia Boat Club and the Learn to Row program can be found at www.virginiaboatclub.org.