The Junior Rowing Program is geared for youth aged 14-18. The goals for the Junior Rowing Program general goals are to:

• Utilize a dual program model to encourage athletes to row for fun, fitness, and competition
• Provide a safe environment for the effective delivery of rowing programs
• Build a strong sense of community through team building by rowing together

Junior Rowing Program Progression:

Step 1: Complete the Richmond Olympic Oval's Indoor Tank Learn to Row Program. This program provides youth with basic rowing technique, and understanding of the sport of rowing and important safety instruction. To register, or for more information, call the Richmond Olympic Oval at 778-296-1400 or visit www.richmondoval.ca

Step 2: Complete the on-water Learn to Row Program at the John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse. This program is offered several times yearly between March and November. At the end of this program, youth will be given a skill assessment and the option to join either the Development Youth Rowing Program or the Competitive Youth Rowing Program.

Step 3: Development Junior Rowing Program
The Development Junior Rowing Program is geared for youth wishing to further their rowing with the goal of increasing their rowing skills and building the strength and endurance necessary for the Competitive Junior Rowing Program. Youth are coached and guided based on their personal needs and skill assessments are performed at regular intervals to help youth set goals, achieve results and ultimately achieve success in the sport of rowing. Team building is a key component of this program and youth are encouraged to commit to all practice dates. There is no set time or number of seasons that youth need to participate in before moving to the Competitive Program. Youth move to the Competitive Program when their skill assessments match the targets required by the Competitive Program.

Development Program Goals:

• Develop a strong rowing technique base
• Row for fun, recreation, and fitness
• Train towards the goal of rowing in the Competitive program

Step 4: Competitive Junior Rowing Program
The Competitive Junior Rowing Program is geared for youth that have met the skill assessment requirements and who are committed to training at a competitive level. Youth are required to attend all practice sessions and are accountable to their team mates in training. The Competitive Program runs year round and is comprised of both on and off water training. Youth will compete in a number of competitions each year. Youth are coached on an individual and group level and are given skill assessments on a regular basis to help with goal setting and achieving performance and fitness results.

Competitive Program Goals:

• Train to be competitive at local mainland and island regattas
• Maintain an overall goal of competing at major national regattas
• Continue to develop and master the basic rowing technique
• Learn how to train for competition through the use of structured training programs involving on water workouts, body weights, and dry land training
• Row for fun and fitness

Crew Selection:

All athletes in the Competitive program are eligible to row at all local mainland and island regattas pending:

• The individuals in the crew have shown the drive to want to succeed at a competitive level
• The crew is moving at a substantial speed deemed acceptable by the coaching staff
• All athletes have proved their interest in competing by performing to the best of their ability at every practice, both technically and attitudinally

All athletes in both Development and Competitive programs are eligible to row at the Delta Deas Scholastic Regatta which is normally held in late May.

2012 Junior Rowing Schedule

• Junior Rowing Fast Track Camp
• Junior Learn to Row
• Junior Development Rowing League
• Junior Competitive Team