Youth Programs
There are boats and performance levels for everyone and there are opportunities to get in a boat year-round. Take a look below for more information on our regular season Novice, Competitive, High Performance & Middle School Teams. 1-week free trial available for all programs.
Do you have a middle or high school student that is interested in rowing? Fill out our new rower questionnaire and our coach will be in contact with you to provide more information.
Regular Season Practice Locations
Our regular season is split into the Fall and Spring seasons. The Fall runs September - December and the Spring runs January - May. For all teams teams, practices are held at Dexter Lake from September through November and March through May. High school teams practice indoors during the winter at Ridgeline Fitness from December through February.
Middle School Program
Grades 6-8
Schedule: Tues/Thurs (2x practices/week) in Fall & Spring (no Winter training)
Purpose:
Introduce athletes to the sport of rowing in a fun, welcoming, and low-pressure environment while building confidence, teamwork, and fundamental skills.
Who This Program Is For:
Students who are new to rowing and want to:
Learn a unique sport
Spend time outdoors
Build confidence
Make friends
Develop athletic skills
No previous experience is required.
Focus Areas:
Learn-to-row fundamentals
Boat handling
Balance and coordination
Teamwork
Water confidence
Games and skill challenges
Introductory fitness
Expectations:
Positive attitude
Respect teammates and coaches
Consistent attendance whenever possible
Willingness to learn
Minimal erg training.
Racing: Local regattas at Dexter & Vancouver only, no overnight travel
Cost (September - November, March - May): $250/Season
High School Novice Team
Grades 9-12
Practice Schedule:
Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 4:30-7 PM
Purpose:
Build a strong technical and physical foundation while preparing athletes for future competitive rowing. The Novice program is NOT a waiting room for Competitive/High Performance rowing. It is where athletes develop the habits, confidence and technical skill necessary for long term success.
Who This Program Is For:
First year high school athletes who want to:
Learn rowing
Compete for the first time
Improve fitness
Develop racing skills
Focus Areas:
Technical development
Fitness
Small boat skills
Race preparation
Team culture
Accountability
Expectations:
Athletes should:
Attend practice consistently (3+ practices/week expected)
Work hard
Be coachable
Support teammates
Demonstrate positive character
Advancement:
Athletes demonstrating technical proficiency, commitment, and readiness may be invited into the Competitive program.
Racing:
Fall: Dexter Fall Classic
Spring: Juniors Covered Bridge, Northwest Youth Championships, Potential Scrimmages
Regular Season Practice Locations
Practices are held at Dexter Lake from September through November and March through May. Practices are at Ridgeline Rowing from December through February.
Cost (September - May):
$220/month
+regatta entry fees
High School Competitive Team
Grades 9-12, experience required
Practice Schedule:
Mon/Tue/Thur/Fri, 4:30-7 PM
Purpose:
Provide a competitive training environment for athletes who enjoy working hard, improving, and racing while balancing other school and life commitments.
Athletes are expected to train seriously, support their teammates and pursue continual improvement. Success is measured by commitment, growth, and effort, rather than simply by speed.
Who This Program Is For:
Experienced athletes who want to:
Continue improving
Race competitively
Train consistently
Balance rowing with academics and other activities
Focus Areas:
Technical refinement
Race preparation
Fitness progression
Crew development
Accountability
Leadership
Expectations:
Athletes should:
Attend at least three practices/week with four strongly encouraged
Demonstrate consistent effort and positive attitude
Support teammates
Show a desire to improve
Advancement:
Consistent attendance, commitment, coachability and demonstrated performance may lead to an invitation into the High Performance program.
Racing:
Fall: Portland Fall Classic, Dexter Fall Classic
Spring: Vancouver Lake Spring Sprints, Juniors Covered Bridge, Northwest Youth Championships, Potential Scrimmages
Cost (September - May): $295/month
+regatta entry fees and uniforms
High School High Performance Team
Invitation Only
6 practices week (Mon-Sat)
Purpose:
Provide a nationally competitive training environment for athletes pursuing the highest levels of junior rowing.
High Performance is designed for athletes committed to maximizing their athletic potential and competing against the strongest crews in the country.
Who This Program Is For:
Athletes who are committed to:
High level competition
Daily improvement
National championship goals
Collegiate recruitment
Focus Areas:
Elite technical development
High-volume training
Strength and conditioning
Racing strategy
Mental performance
Leadership
Expectations:
High Performance athletes are expected to:
Prioritize rowing
Maintain excellent attendance
Complete all assigned training
Meet program performance standards
Spring Break attendance
Admission is by coach invitation only based on:
Commitment
Attendance
Coachability
Technical proficiency
Demonstrated performance
Internal performance benchmarks will guide invitations and advancements
Racing: All Comp races + select boats to Head of the Charles Regatta, San Diego Crew Classic, Windermere Cup, Youth National Championships
Placement into Competitive and High Performance is not automatic. At the conclusion of each season, coaches evaluate each athlete's attendance, commitment, coachability, technical development, and readiness to determine the program that will best support their continued growth.
Cost (September - May): $325/month
+regatta entry fees and uniforms
Free Trial
If you’re not sure if rowing is right for you, come and join us for a free week. Just sign up for our free trial to digitally sign your waiver and contact headcoach@eugenerowing.org to schedule your trial.
Please note that we do not offer free trials for summer camps.
