Fall 2024 Learn to Row

Description

This program is designed for athletes in middle and high school who have had no rowing experience or experience within a summer camp program only. We will have two options for Learn to Row:

1. Middle School Learn to Row – $650
   This program will be three days per week, Monday, Wednesday & Friday.  It is limited to Middle School Students currently in 6th, 7th or 8th grades and 12 years or older by the start of the program.
2. High School Learn to Row – $850
   This program will be 5 days per week, Monday-Friday.  Any athlete 12 years and older can register (even middle schoolers) but it is geared towards the athlete who is ready for a 5 day a week program.  Essentially anyone can “row up” into the High School Program but High School students must be enrolled in this program so that they are fully ready to participate on racing teams in the next season.

Program Details:

• Dates: September 16 – November 2 (Saturday, Nov 2 will be the Tail of the Potomac a little scrimmage amongst the Novices out of Thompson’s Boat Center)
• Hours: 4:30-6:30pm (you must be on-time for practice, rowing happens out on the river, so late arrivals result in being left on land).

Core Values of the Program

Bottom line, we hope we can pass along our passion for this sport to each and every athlete that joins TBC Racing. It is our privilege with learn-to-row to be the first introduction to rowing for an athlete. We take this seriously and are committed to teaching the following core values and skills:

1. Commitment to others
2. Work ethic
3. Basic rowing technique
4. Fun!

Learning to row is more than just what happens on the water. Before rowers get on the water there are basic skills they will need, and we will teach. They will need to learn vocabulary, how to carry a boat, how to put oars in the boat, the basic rowing stroke, and safety rules. They will also be exposed to the basic fitness training that is required for rowing. Once out on the water, they will learn the basic rowing stroke. In the traditional racing shell, they will begin by rowing in subsets of the boat (ie: 4 rowers “set the boat” by stabilizing with their oars, while the other 4 take strokes). Before they know it they will be off and rowing!

The learn-to-row program will also expose athletes to the core fitness required for rowing. Practices will include land workouts to strengthen core muscles and endurance. Our goal is to have each rower ready for a novice racing season both in skill and strength by the end of the season.

Budding Coxswains (those that are generally small and steer the boat and control the crews) are also encouraged to join.  Signs of a future coxswain are a smaller stature, but most importantly a confident and responsible personality. We will have experienced coxswains and coaches working with them on the core skills required for the job.