Youth Calendar

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Highlights

Indoor Rowing Tank Visits.
The Cincinnati Rowing and Fitness Center (located under the Montgomery Inn on Eastern Avenue in downtown Cincinnati) also has what is called an indoor rowing 'tank.' It simulates rowing on the water. When the weather is too cold to go outside (late fall to early spring) we may visit the tanks several times.

Active Traveling Schedule.
Since our regattas are all-day events, it is impossible to race during the week. We have an active travel schedule of 4-5 regattas each fall and spring. Each racing team member is expected to be present at all the regattas. Many of our trips are only day trips to Columbus, Dayton or Indianapolis. We typically take one overnight trip each season.

Home Regattas.
The Great Miami Rowing Center (GMRC) runs a regatta series on our own water throughout the year. In the fall we run the Double Dam (formerly the Hamilton Fall Classic) and in the spring we run the Blue & Burgundy Regatta.

Parent Meeting
Every season the parent meeting is MANDATORY for the rower and at least one parent. It is imperative that each family is present so there is no confusion regarding the season and what is expected from each rower. This is also a great time to have all of your questions and concerns addressed.

Appointment Days
Attendance at practice is paramount. Although it seems as though missing one day isn't a big deal, it takes a crew of 9 people to row. If each person were to miss one practice, that's almost 2 weeks of practices that the TEAM loses out on.

In addition, missing too much practice can jeopardize a rower's chances at competing in a higher boat. We recognize that appointments are hard to make outside of practice, so please use designated Appointment Days to take care of group projects, doctor’s appointments, or to catch up on homework. Refunds will not be issued due to conflict with the racing schedule.

Youth FAQ

What season does rowing compete?
Rowing occurs all year round. The school year is comprised of Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons with racing opportunities during all seasons. Additionally, we offer opportunities for students to row during the summer.

During the fall season we train over longer distances and the races are generally between 4,000 and 6,000 meters. The spring season is our sprint season and we race 2,000 meters, which can take anywhere from 6 to 8 minutes — depending on the crew. The winter months are too cold to practice outdoors, so we train indoors on rowing machines. Additionally, there are indoor rowing contests in Cincinnati and around the US that are performed by connecting several rowing machines together.

Do I have to participate in all seasons?
You are welcome to participate in whatever season fits into your calendar. Many students will use rowing as cross training for other sports, but our top tier rowers typically row every session we offer.

The Spring is our biggest season as it is the time for the regional and national championships.

What is rowing?
Rowing is the oldest sport in the modern Olympics — the founder of the Olympics was actually a rower. This is a physically demanding sport involving strength, endurance, and coordination. This sport engages all muscle groups, not just the upper body — a common misconception.

We row our boats with a style of rowing called sweep rowing, which requires us to row in pairs in 2, 4, or 8 person boats. In sweep rowing the rowers have both their hands on one oar (sculling is with one smaller oar in each hand). Rowing has both long distance events — which take about 20 minutes — and sprint distances — which take about 7-8 minutes. The events are rowed on lakes such as Lake Harsha just east of Cincinnati, and rivers, such as our own Great Miami River.

Who rows?
Our rowers come from Badin, Fairfield, Hamilton, Lakota, Mason, and Middletown, to name a few. All of our rowers come together from different backgrounds to perform on one team.

Schools such as Moeller, Indian Hill, Turpin, Notre Dame Academy, and many others row for the Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club. This team caters to the schools within the I-275 loop and they practice near downtown Cincinnati. Similarly, the Greater Dayton Rowing Club and the Dayton Boatclub attracts students from Beavercreek, Carroll, Stebbens, Chamanade-Julienne, and many more. Individual schools — such as Cincinnati Country Day and Dublin High School — also have rowing programs.

Almost every high school rower comes to the sport with no experience. Rowers are generally taller, but people with smaller statures and lots of drive may also be a competitive rower.

Are you not athletic but still interested in rowing? Crew also has an important position called the coxswain (pronounced cox’n). This is a naturally small, light person who motivates the rowers, executes racing strategy, and steers the racing shells.

Please visit this USRowing website for a list of all Ohio boat clubs.

How much does it cost to row?
The cost of rowing varies depending on the length and duration of the program and the travel involved.  Because of this, the cost of the programs may vary from season to season as well. 

To find current information on Program Fees, please see the Register Online section.  Click on the blue box that corresponds with the program you'd like to register for to get current dates and schedules.

How safe is it?
We are serious about safety, and we follow an extensive plan in accordance with the United States Rowing Association (the national governing body for rowing) to assure that we continue to conduct our rowing safely. Each coach follows a much more elaborate set of rules, as well as applying the use if their own judgment and experience.

How do I get started?
The best way to get started is to come out to a practice! Email our Head Coach at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to set up your first day of practice!