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 Competitive and Development Teams, as well as our Summer Camps and Free Trial opportunities!
Typical Calendar Year:
* January: Registration for Spring and Spring practice begins
* March-May: Spring Racing for COMP and select DEV
* June: Youth Nationals for qualifying COMP boats, begin Small Boat Camps
* July: Learn-to-Row & Small Boat Camps
* August: Registration for Fall and Preseason Conditioning begins
* September: Regular season begins for COMP and DEV
* October: Fall Head Racing for COMP
* November: February: Indoor Winter Strength & Conditioning for COMP and DEV
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 both COMP and DEV teams, practices are held at Dexter Lake from September through November and March through May. Practices are at Ridgeline Rowing from December through February.
Development Team
The Development Team is ERC’s entry point for newer rowers and athletes seeking to learn the sport in a supportive, lower-intensity environment. Training emphasizes technical development, fitness building, and teamwork.
DEV is designed to prepare athletes for the demands of COMP while allowing for some flexibility for other commitments, however, we expect at least 75% attendance.
Select DEV athletes demonstrating strong technical proficiency, fitness, and commitment may be invited to race or train with COMP boats during the season.
New rowers will be accepted onto the DEV team throughout the Fall and up until February for the Spring season. Any rowers looking to join after February should sign up for Summer Camps or the next Fall season.
Regular Season Practice Locations
For both COMP and DEV teams, practices are held at Dexter Lake from September through November and March through May. Practices are at Ridgeline Rowing from December through February.
Fall 2025
- Development Team practices will begin on Tuesday, September 15th.
- Mon/Wed/Fri: 4:30–7 PM at Dexter Lake. Van Transportation is available.
Cost (September - May):
$220/month
+ regatta entry fees
Winter/Indoor-Only Season:
For those joining after the primary Fall racing season (thru November) and before the Spring season begins in January
Not required for those registered for regular season programs
Runs November - February and does not include training sessions at Dexter Lake.
$395
Dev Fall 2025 Race Calendar:
Oct 26 – Portland Fall Classic @ Vancouver, WA – [Select DEV crews]
Lineups announced by Oct 7th
Travel arrangements to be made by individual families
Nov 8 – Intersquad/Novice Scrimmage @ Dexter, OR – [ALL COMP & DEV
Competitive Team
The Competitive Team (COMP) is the flagship program of ERC for grades 8 to 12. Practices are typically held on weekdays in the late afternoon and early evening, and on Saturday mornings. Locations include Dexter Lake and Ridgeline Rowing off 3rd Ave in Eugene.
The COMP teams compete in a selection of local, state, and national races in the Fall and Spring. Eugene Rowing Club regularly sends representatives to the USRowing Youth National Championships. Our coaching staff includes former collegiate rowers and coaches with USRowing Coaching certifications, are trained in Safesport, and have completed First Aid, CPR and AED certifications.
While the focus is on providing a safe, supportive, and growth-oriented environment, the demands of a racing team require a higher time commitment, discipline, and dedication.
Due to USRowing’s age classifications, it is not expected that younger athletes be as strong, fit, or competitive as an older athlete, but we are primarily looking for athletes who are tall, strong, athletic, or tough enough to make up the difference for their age. A key factor in selection for the Competitive Team is ensuring that athletes can conduct themselves in a way that lends cohesion and smooth day-to-day practice operations both on land, but especially on the water.
Fall 2024:
- Registration and preseason training for COMP will begin on Monday, August 18th.
- Practices will be held Monday thru Friday, 4:30-7 PM and Saturday, 8-11 AM when at Dexter. Van transportation is available
Full Season Price (August - June):
$265/month
+ regatta entry fees and uniform
Fall 2025 Racing Schedule
Oct 12 - American Lake Fall Classic @ Lakewood, WA [ALL COMP]
Lineups announced by Sept 30th
Travel arrangements to be made by individual families
Oct 16 - Oct 19 - Head of the Charles @ Boston, MA [Men’s 8+]
Lineups announced by Sept 5th
Travel arrangements coordinated by the team
Oct 26 - Portland Fall Classic @ Vancouver, WA [ALL COMP]
Lineups announced by Oct 7th
Travel arrangements to be made by individual families
Nov 2 - Head of the Lake @ Seattle, WA [Select COMP]
Lineups announced by Oct 14th
Travel arrangements to be made by individual families
Nov 8 - Intersquad/Novice Scrimmage @ Dexter, OR [ALL COMP &
DEV]
Nov 15 - Nov 16 - Head of the Lagoon @ Foster City, CA [Select COMP]
Lineups announced by Oct 14th
Travel arrangements coordinated by the team
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.
Summer Camps
Eugene Rowing Club offers Learn-to-Row Camps for rowers new to the sport and Small Boat Camps for experienced rowers to continue to hone their skills on the water. Summer camp information is generally announced in January so stay tuned for more information!
