Four young rowers pull together in an orange training boat under a bridge on the Oakland Estuary

Community programs / Everyone belongs here

Rowing, open to Oakland

Sited on the banks of the Oakland Estuary, we are part of Oakland, and we work to build lasting connections with the community we represent. We partner with Oakland schools and youth organizations to make rowing accessible, and to open a path onto the competitive team.

Try rowing

Our Community Programs

Multiple pathways

We work with over 20 partner organizations, including schools and community organizations, to bring rowing to the community. If you are interested in accessing any of these programs, or if you’d like to get your school or program involved in the Oakland Strokes, contact our Head of Community Programs Carla Jourdan.

Removing barriers

STEM to Stern

Oakland Strokes’ STEM to Stern is a program that works with local middle schools to make rowing accessible, diverse, and competitive, removing barriers like transportation, swim lessons, and fees. Based on a national model, this entry level program brings rowing to Middle School aged athletes in Oakland. We also pair athletes with college student-athletes from UC Berkeley’s Cameron Institute for exposure to college athletes.

More at stemtosternrowing.org

Community partner programs

A start in East Oakland and Fruitvale

We introduce rowing by partnering with schools, community centers, and local organizations to introduce students to rowing in a low pressure environment.

Happening both on land and on the water, sessions cover athletic conditioning, an introduction to erg technique, and, wherever possible, rowing on the water. They can be a pathway to our Middle School and first-year high school teams, a strong standalone athletic experience, and in some cases can count toward a high school PE credit.

A young rower grins from his seat as his crew settles into the boat at the dock — Getting in the boat

A young rower in a life jacket smiles with his arms raised overhead on the dock — Back on the dock

Who we work with

Community partners

Listed below are some (but not all) of our awesome Community Partners. If you would like to join the team, please contact Carla Jourdan at carlajourdan@oaklandstrokes.org.

Oakland Athletic League
First Tee, Oakland
We Lead Ours (WELO)
East Oakland Youth Development Center
East Bay Regional Park District
Positive Coaching Alliance
Girls, Inc. Alameda County

Partner schools

Schools we row with

Listed below are some (but not all) of our incredible Partner Schools. If you would like to join the team, please contact Carla Jourdan at carlajourdan@oaklandstrokes.org.

Coliseum Collegiate Prep Academy
Ile Omode
ARISE High School
Montera Middle School
Urban Promise Academy
Northern Light School
Melrose Leadership Academy
Castlemont High School
Fremont High School
McClymonds High School
Madison Park Academy

Financial aid

Cost should never be the barrier

Most of our Community Programs are free or with minimal registration fees for the participants. We offer need-based aid for Community Programs athletes moving into other Strokes programs.

See financial aid

Partner with us

To bring rowing to your school or organization, reach out to our Head of Community Programs, Carla Jourdan.

Email Carla carlajourdan@oaklandstrokes.org