High School Rowing

High School Rowing

Pathway Overview
Our High School Rowing Program is designed in three steps:

• Learn to Row (LTR) – no experience necessary, the entry point for all new athletes.
• Competitive Novice – for recent LTR graduates, building skills and fitness.
• Competitive Experienced – for experienced rowers ready for higher-level training and racing.

A Learn to Row program is a prerequisite for moving into the Novice and Competitive programs.

Fall Learn to Row (LTR)

Information Night for Fall Learn to Row at the GRC boathouse:
Friday, September 5, 2025 at 4:30 pm

Fall Learn to Row (LTR) is the best starting point. This two-week session (September 8–19, 2025) introduces new athletes to the sport. Graduates can then decide whether to continue with our year-round High School Rowing Program. A Learn to Row program is a pre-requisite for our High School program.

LTR schedule
Dates: September 8–19, 2025
Schedule: 6:00-7:30 pm, Monday–Friday
Format: 5 days per week, 1.5 hours per night
Outcome: Graduates may join the Novice program at a prorated fee

Competitive Program

Competitive Novice Rowing
For athletes who have completed a Learn to Row program. This program develops rowing skills, fitness, and racing experience in a supportive environment, preparing athletes to progress toward Competitive Rowing. Possible novice racing opportunity: Martha Coffey Frostbite Sprints at the Argonaut rowing club November 2, 2025.

Competitive Experienced Rowing
For experienced high school athletes. This program emphasizes advanced training and racing preparation, with coaching tailored to each athlete’s level and goals. Fall racing opportunities will be available.

Competitive Novice and Competitive Experienced schedule
Dates: September 2 – November 2, 2025
Schedule: 4:00–6:30 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Format: 3 days per week, 1.5 hours per night

Who Can Participate

• Open to students born in 2007 or later
• Grade 8 students may be accepted part-time, case-by-case, based on coach review
• We may accept gap year youth or non-full-time students, with the understanding
that competitive opportunities will be limited to club-level races

Program Overview

Our High School Rowing program emphasizes training as the cornerstone of development. Rowing is a serious endurance sport, and participants build:
• Aerobic fitness and strength
• Technical rowing skills
• Mental toughness and discipline
• Teamwork and personal growth

We follow Sport for Life’s Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) framework, specifically the Learn-to-Train and Train-to-Train phases.

Participants will learn:
• Proper boat handling and dock procedures
• Safety and navigation rules
• Rowing technique and how to row as a crew
• Training for and participating in competitive racing
• Equipment care – including shells and oars

The program is led by Head Coach Andrew Borden, along with Jack Wilhelm and Dean Raso. All coaches are part of the RCA Every Coach Certified initiative.

Contact

Fees

Winter, Spring and Summer Programs

Winter (Nov–Mar)

• Critical off-season fitness and training
• Training takes place at the Community Living Centre Community Living Centre Wellington Gym (Dec–March)
• Sessions include rowing machines (ergs), weights, and cross-training
• Culminates in the provincial ergometer competition

Schedule:
• Mid-Nov – Mar 27
• Mon, Tues, Thurs: 5:45–7:00 AM
• Wed 5:45–7:00 AM added in January
*This year’s Winter Training fees are partially subsidized by a generous anonymous donor, in order to keep costs comparable to other seasons.

Spring (Apr–Jun)

• Primary racing season, including CSSRAs (Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Championships)

Schedule:
• Mar 30 – early June
• Mon–Fri: 5:30–7:15 AM
• Sat: 8:00–10:00 AM

Summer (Jun–Aug)

• Summer racing opportunities with Guelph Rowing Club may be available for experienced athletes
• Grade 8 and junior athletes may train part-time (e.g., 2–3x/week), depending on readiness and coach review
• High school athletes can also join the Jr. Gryphons Skills Development Program, a non-competitive afternoon program focused on technical improvement

Contact

Fees

Registration & Requirements

• Complete the Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) Safety Modules before the first lesson

Fill out and bring to your first session:
Athlete Medical Information Form
Swim Assessment Form
Safety Program
Liability Waiver and Assumption of Risk under 18
Letter of Acknowledgement
Image Consent Form

Review with a parent/guardian:
RowOntario – Concussion Management
Ministry Concussion Awareness Resources – Age 15+

Important Notes

• The High School Rowing Program and associated events are organized by Guelph Rowing Club, not the school board.
• Participants are insured through registration with RowOntario and Rowing Canada Aviron.
• Number of supervised sessions does not equal required attendance — younger athletes often start with part-time training and grow into greater commitment.

Fees

Program fees cover your training and coaching. Regatta entry fees and trailering costs are not included and will be billed separately on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Questions?

Schedule

Spring schedule begins once members are notified that warm water rules are in effect.

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Spring

5:30 – 7:15am

8:00 – 10am

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Summer

5:00 – 7:00am

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Fall
Comp

LTR

4:30–6:00 pm

6:00 pm–7:30

4:30–6:00 pm

6:00 pm–7:30

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6:00 pm–7:30

4:30–6:00 pm
6:00 pm–7:30

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6:00 pm–7:30

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Winter

5:45 – 7:00 AM

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5:45 – 7:00 AM

5:45 – 7:00 AM
Added in January

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