Old Lyme -- Up until Sunday morning, Karl Mainovsky of Old Saybrook had never been in a rowing shell.

"My family finally pressured me into it," he said. "My wife is a high school coach and my son rows in college. I figured I would finally learn how to do it. I think it's great exercise for your core and your whole body. I enjoyed it."

Mainovsky went from an amateur who had never sat on a rowing machine to going out on a shell in about an hour on Sunday.

He was one of about 60 people who learned how to row Sunday as the Old Lyme Rowing Association celebrated National Learn to Row Day with free lessons on Rogers Lake.

All ages were welcome to sign up and try out rowing at the Fred Emerson Boat House. Experienced rowers from the association as well as members of the Lyme-Old Lyme High School crew volunteered to help teach people how to properly row.

Association Director of Rowing Paul Fuchs thinks the sport is more of an experience than an athletic event.

"It's not really about rowing," Fuchs said. "It's more about learning lessons on dedication, focus and doing things that you didn't know that you are capable of doing."

Fuchs, who is also in the U.S. Rowing Hall of Fame, said that they normally see 50 to 60 new rowers every year at the event and that this year was no exception.

Rowers started on the rowing machines while volunteers were on hand to make sure participants had the correct form. After they were able to demonstrating the proper technique, participants were directed to a dock where they were able to go out on a single, four- or eight-person boat.

Those on singles were accompanied by a more experienced rower alongside them. Those in the four had an experienced rower serve as their bowman. Those who were in an eight had an experienced rower serve as a coxswain. A cox is someone who sits at the front of the boat facing the rowers. A cox's primary role is to steer the rudder of the boat and manage the rowers.

The association holds classes throughout the summer. Fuchs said that the classes serve between 250 and 260 people every year and are available for all ages and level of experience. More information about the association and the classes is available at http://www.oldlymerowing.org