Penobscot Bay is ever-changing, which is one of the things we like best about it. Your senses come alive in the fresh salt air in a boat that feels and responds to every ripple and swirl of current. Sometimes rowing on the bay is bouncy and “sporty,” and sometimes we glide across water as smooth as glass. Always, there is beauty.

We row in a variety of weather conditions – hot summer afternoons, cool misty mornings, and everything in between. Though light winds and calm water are ideal for rowing, our boats are very seaworthy and can safely handle some “Penobscot chop,” as we like to refer to the short, steep waves of the upper bay. Learning to row well in all conditions is a satisfying challenge that keeps us coming back for more.

The short answer is – many! Here are some of the big ones.

1 – Awesome boats. Our unique Finnish-style Savo rowboats are highly versatile craft. They are stable, so beginners can learn sliding seat rowing without worrying about the boat tipping over (unlike in a racing shell). The boats are also light and seaworthy, providing more experienced rowers access to a range of conditions that are safe to tackle from the relative stability and comfort of their traditional wooden hulls.

2 – Exercise. Rowing is a low-impact exercise that builds both strength and cardio fitness while being relatively easy on the joints. Sliding seat rowing in particular is a controlled, ergonomic motion that works all the major muscle groups, both lower and upper body.

3 – A balm for the mind. Rowing is the perfect antidote to many of the mental health challenges people face today. Loneliness is an epidemic in the US; rowing with others offers simple yet profound connection. In a world where our brains are overloaded with dopamine, exercise like rowing offers a chemical reset to bring our minds back into balance. And like other forms of movement meditation, rowing well requires a level of focus that demands your undivided attention in each moment. Everything else will fade away during your time on the water.

4 – Nature. Maybe this one belongs in the mental health category above, but at Rowing to Wild we consider time in nature to be its own distinct benefit. In our busy lives, it’s easy to go days or even weeks at a time without stepping foot into nature. It can feel like you must travel some distance to get away from it all, but when you step into a small boat on the wide ocean, you are instantly transported within just a few strokes from the shore.

The short answer is - Yes! Anytime you step foot in a rowboat on the ocean, you’re stepping into the wild, and our Rowing Lessons are appropriate for those new to sliding seat rowing. We enjoy spreading the love of open water rowing to newbies! See our Physical Requirements below to make sure you won’t be too far out of your comfort zone.

For our multi-day Adventure Rows, rowers must have at least 6 months of sliding seat experience, or a combination of sliding seat and fixed seat rowing experience, in addition to the basic physical requirements. If you don’t already have this experience, we can work with you to build your skills for the adventure of a lifetime!

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, participants must be at least 13 years old and 4'10" tall to row our boats. Sliding seat rowing involves fluid movement that requires moderate flexibility in your ankles, knees, and hips.

Before your adventure, we ask all participants to complete a brief medical history and physical fitness form. This helps us prepare for your specific needs and ensure your safety on the water.

We're committed to making our rowing experiences as accessible as possible, and welcome participants of all abilities. If you have any disabilities or special requirements, please let us know when booking so we can discuss accommodations. While we strive to include everyone, our primary concern is your safety and comfort on the water.

Have more questions about whether rowing is right for you? We're happy to chat before you book!

At Rowing to Wild, we pride ourselves on our low client-to-guide ratios, ensuring you receive personalized attention and coaching throughout your experience.  There will never be more than 6 clients with one guide, and usually there will be between 1-4 clients per guide.

Private sessions in our double rowboats allow for one-on-one coaching tailored to your goals and abilities. These are perfect for custom workouts or focused skill development.

Group experiences in our quad boat accommodate four rowers with your guide in the coxswain seat—offering camaraderie while still ensuring individual guidance.

For our overnight Adventure Rows, we have the option bring both a double and a quad, allowing up to six rowing enthusiasts to share the journey with a single guide—creating an intimate group experience that enhances the spirit of wilderness exploration and adventure.

Our hourly lessons and fitness rows take place in the charming midcoast town of Belfast, Maine, located about 2 hours north of Portland and 1.5 hours south of Bar Harbor. See our Location page for more information.

Our overnight Adventure Rows depart from various locations between Rockland and Jonesport, Maine. You are responsible for transportation to and from the trip starting point. When you register for an Adventure Row, you’ll receive a full packet with all of the information you need to prepare for your trip.

For hour-long lessons and fitness rows, our What to Expect page has all the details on what to bring so you’ll be prepared. Water, sunscreen, sneakers, and non-cotton clothes are the big ones. It’s always a good idea to check the weather on the day of your row and plan accordingly, making sure to bring extra layers because it’s usually cooler on the water.

For our Adventure Rows, we provide all rowing equipment, camping gear, and food. When you register for one of these rows you’ll receive a detailed gear list to prepare you for the journey.

Most likely! (Though we can never guarantee what the animals will do.)

Harbor seals, osprey, bald eagles, common loons, and cormorants are the most common sightings. In summer, schools of menhaden sometimes burst from the surface, chased by seals from below. Harbor porpoises are more rare, but sometimes we’ll spot them when the sea is perfectly calm and smooth. Witnessing amazing wildlife from a small open boat is one of the best parts of rowing on the ocean.

The state of Maine requires that all guides taking clients out in human-powered craft on tidal waters be Registered Maine Guides with the Sea Kayaking classification. Separately, the Coast Guard requires that anyone transporting paying customers by boat hold the appropriate Coast Guard captain’s license.

Leigh Dorsey will lead all lessons and trips for Rowing to Wild. Leigh is certified as both a Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guide, and a Coast Guard Master of 100-ton vessels, near-coastal. She holds current certifications in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.

In addition to holding the required certifications, Leigh has journeyed thousands of miles by rowboat along the coasts of Maine, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. She has been rowing for over 20 years, both on racing teams and recreationally. She competed in the NCAA Nationals for Division III Women’s Rowing in 2005. In 2018 and 2024, she competed in the World Pilot Gig Championships in Cornwall, UK. She has twice completed the 750-mile Race to Alaska, in 2018 and 2022—both times by rowboat. She volunteers hundreds of hours each year to ComeBoating!, a local non-profit rowing organization in Belfast, where Leigh teaches the finer aspects of rowing to beginners and experienced rowers alike.

Our clients’ safety on the water is Rowing to Wild’s first priority. We carry first aid supplies on every row, as well as a marine VHF radio and a cell phone so that we can quickly contact emergency services if needed. Our hourly rows in Belfast Bay take place within a half mile of land, and Waldo County General Hospital is within a 10-minute drive of anywhere we might land on shore in an emergency. Our overnight Adventure Rows take us to more remote parts of the coast, where help may be an hour or more away. We take this responsibility seriously and factor distance from shore into our risk analysis on each trip, as well as staying current on our Wilderness First Aid and CPR certifications.

Please see our Adventure Row FAQ to learn about the cancellation policies specific to our overnight trips. For hour-long lessons and fitness rows in Belfast Bay, the following policies apply:

If you cancel: If you cancel 7 days before your row, your money is 100% refundable.

If you cancel less than 7 days but more than 24 hours before your row, your money is non-refundable, but you may apply the amount to another row for one year (on a space available basis).

If you cancel less than 24 days before your row, money is non-transferable and non-refundable.

We go in almost all conditions, including rain. Once in a while we do have to cancel for safety reasons related to weather (see below).

If we cancel: We only cancel lessons and fitness rows for safety reasons (ie, heavy wind and waves, or thunderstorms). If we need to cancel, we will do our best to reschedule the row. If we need to cancel for safety and are not able to reschedule a make-up row at a time that works for you, we will provide a 100% refund.

One-hour lessons & fitness rows on Belfast Bay must be paid in full at the time of registration. For multi-day Adventure Rows, a deposit of $200 is required to make your reservation. The remainder is due 30 days before your trip begins.

Checks can be made out to Rowing To Wild LLC and mailed to:

Rowing to Wild LLC
59 Swan Lake Ave
Belfast, ME 04915

We also accept online payments through our bookings page.

Tipping is traditional on many activities led by Registered Maine Guides, and is a way of recognizing exemplary service by your guide to keep you safe and ensure you have a memorable experience.

However, we do not expect tips for lessons & fitness rows in Belfast Bay – we hope you incorporate these rows into your regular exercise and self-care routines, and strive to keep costs for those rows as affordable as possible.

For our overnight Adventure Rows, tipping is completely optional but appreciated if you feel you would like to recognize your guide for their work and professionalism. A common amount is 5% – 10% of your trip cost, but the exact amount is totally up to you.