Of great disappointment to me in Sydney - I have yet to find a rowing club that offers similar opportunities as the Dolphin Club / South End Club in San Francisco. Both of these clubs had membership that was less expensive than a gym membership, and once oriented (a free class over several weekends - separate class for shells), you could use the boats sunrise to sunset with the western boundary being the Golden Gate Bridge.
Mind you, some of the old-timers at the Dolphin Club could be clubby and you might spend years before they'd recognize you as a member and not look at you suspiciously like someone who snuck in to pilfer from the lockers.
Meanwhile of the clubs in Sydney... Some are only interested in top-level athletes. Some are mostly interested in being waterfront restaurants and the boats are a sad remnant of their former selves. Some are only open on weekends. Some only want team rowing - no beautiful solitude on the water.
