Facilities
Facilities
First and foremost, a rower’s facilities consist of the body of water on which they row. Our main boathouse is located on the Oakland Estuary. Offering well over 5 miles of protected water, the Oakland Estuary has been home to championship crew teams since the turn of the 20th century. On calm days we can access the San Francisco Bay.
The Oakland Strokes were established in 1975 in an old Crowley Maritime building, a now demolished structure located on the inlet for the Lake Merit channel. A utilitarian structure at best, with cinderblock walls, a leaky roof, and a curiously uneven floor, the original structure was beloved by our rowers up to the time it was condemned! In 2002 the Strokes moved across the inlet to the newly constructed Jack London Aquatic Center.
After a long search for a permanent home, the Strokes partnered with the East Bay Regional Park District to develop the land and build the Tidewater Aquatic Center, moving into the facility in 2011. In 2013 we entered into a partnership with East Bay MUD and Rocky Mountain Recreation to make the San Pablo Reservoir and Lake available to the rowing community for training and racing.
TIDEWATER BOATHOUSE
The Tidewater Aquatic Center is an architectural gem on the Oakland Shoreline just southeast of the High Street Bridge on the Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline. Located in what was once an undeveloped lot, the boathouse has been a beacon bringing activity and life to the south end of the Estuary. The boathouse facility is part of the East Bay Regional Park District and consists of three buildings and a public dock; of which the Strokes occupy two boat bays, an erg room, weight lifting area, an exercise mezzanine, and an outdoor storage area.
The Tidewater Boating Center is located at 4675 Tidewater Avenue, Oakland CA 94601.
DIRECTIONS:
From I-880 or I-580
Exit on High Street and head south.
Before the High Street bridge to Alameda, take the last possible left onto Tidewater Avenue (alongside the restaurant supply store).
Just before the first stop sign, turn right into the EBRPD Tidewater Boating Center driveway.
SAN PABLO RESERVOIR
The San Pablo Reservoir and Lake is a beautiful, protected body of water located just north of Orinda in El Sobrante. With 3 miles of available water, the reservoir is perfect for training and racing. The Oakland Strokes are developing the reservoir to make it a perfect location for juniors to learn the art of rowing. We have two spaces for parking and boat storage through the south entrance off San Pablo Dam Road.
Being a reservoir in the State of California, we are always concerned about the water level. For up to date information about the water level at San Pablo, please click below:
San Pablo Reservoir water level information
DIRECTIONS:
From Highway 24
Exit at the Orinda/Moraga exit and take Camino Pablo North toward Orinda.
Follow Camino Pablo North about 2 miles.
As you cross Bear Creek Road the name of the road you are on will change to San Pablo Dam Road.
In 1/2 a mile you will make a right at the “San Pablo Dam Boat Launch” sign.
Follow this road for 1.6 miles to the boat launch area.
From Interstate 80
Exit at the Appian Way and take Appian Way South.
In about 1.2 miles, continue straight onto Valley View Road South.
In about 1.6 miles, turn left onto San Pablo Dam Road.
In about 5.7 miles you will make a left at the “San Pablo Dam Boat Launch” sign.
Follow this road for 1.6 miles to the boat launch area.