MRC High School/Junior* Team
Junior ProgramsMRC Junior Team offers metro area high school athletes, ages 13-18, the opportunity to become lifelong rowers and coxswain and be competitive athletes in both scull and sweep rowing. Seasonal programs begin in April and continue through October annually. Our rowers:
- Train with experienced coaches, who are also championship rowers;
- Row with some of the top high school rowers in the country;
- Learn training methods for best athletic performance;
- Compete at Midwest, national, and international regatta’s; and
- Are recruited for collegiate teams across the country.
Junior Learn To Row Camp
Prior to joining the Team, new rowers and coxswain complete this two-day weekend camp to learn about the sport and try it out. April and May 2010 weekend dates will be posted here.
On Saturday, day one of LTR Camp, athletes meet at the Minneapolis Rowing Club boathouse for two hours where they'll be introduced to the basics of rowing. While touring the boathouse students learn to move a 60' eight person shell and get the feel of a 10' oar. Boathouse and water safety basics will be presented too.
At day two, on Sunday, athletes meet at the University of Minnesota boathouse for an hour "row" in the U's indoor rowing tank. Students practice the full rowing stroke, pulling an oar through the water while pushing with their legs and balancing on a sliding seat.
Dress for the weather. You'll be outside as well as indoors. Wear a t-shirt, shorts, and workout shoes (with socks) for indoor activities. Shorts and shirts should be close fitting so they don't get caught in the seat wheels. Bring a filled water bottle.
LTR Camp Cost: $80 (nonrefundable) Space is limited to 20 participants per LTR Camp session.
LTR Camp Locations:
- Day one: Minneapolis Rowing Club, 2968 West River Parkway, Mpls., MN 55406. The boathouse is located on the west side of the Mississippi River, under the Lake Street Bridge. Park in the neighborhood above, not on the Parkway, and walk down the service road.
- Day two: University of MN Boathouse is located on the east side of the river in East River Flats Park. The park is accessible from East River Parkway just south of Washington Avenue in Minneapolis. There is no parking at the boathouse. Park in the metered lot as you drive in and pay for parking before you enter the boathouse.
Once athletes complete LTR Camp and wish to join the Junior Team, they must register as an Minneapolis Rowing Club junior member, sign up for the Season, and order an MRC race top too.
Preview of Rowing Seasons: Summer season practice begins in late April or early May with practices three times weekly after school from 4-6:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 8-10:30 a.m.. Rowers are encouraged to start participating in these early season practices so they are ready to race in June regattas. All Junior rowers are expected to attend daily, Monday through Friday practices from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. beginning June 14th through August. Fall season runs September through October with after school and Saturday morning practices. The Junior Team participates in several regatta’s in the midwest and Canada during the year. Junior women and junior men teams may have different coaches and sometimes participate in different regatta’s.
Just as in other high school sports, parent involvement is key to the success of the junior rowing program. Whether you are a parent of a rower or coxswain, your help will be needed to assist throughout the year in planning, organizing, and chaperoning regatta trips.
Be Prepared!
The Junior Team will participate in Canadian regattas in 2010. New federal rules require proof
of identity and citizenship to enter the United States. Apply for a passport now if you don't already have one. Documentation
requirements are detailed on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
website.
The preliminary 2010 schedule of regatta’s is out!
- Put the following race days on your calendar, allowing extra time for travel.
- Remember these are team events so everyone’s participation is required.
- Passports are required for travel to Canada. Be prepared. Apply for one now if you don’t have one.
Summer:
- June 26, Sprints in the Cities (Lake Nokomis, Mpls., MN)
- July 10, Duluth International Regatta (Duluth, MN)
- July 24, Tops and Bottoms Regatta (Kenora, Ontario, Canada) Passport required.
- August 13-14, 106th NWIRA Championship Regatta (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) Passport required.
- September 25, Head of the Des Moines (Des Moines, Iowa)
- October 3, Head of the Mississippi (Mpls., MN)
- October 10, Head of the Rock (Rockford, IL)
- October 23-24, Head of the Charles (Boston, MA) Participation by coach invitation.
All practices are held at the MRC boathouse: 2968 West River Parkway, Mpls., MN 55406. Bicycle racks are conveniently located outside the boathouse. Be sure to bring a lock. Changing rooms are equipped with showers and daily use lockers. Locks are not provided.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of MRC. Both team members and their parents must contribute service work throughout the season. The Junior Team will maintain equipment, the boathouse and grounds and will spend time raising funds to support team activities.
The Parent Booster Club supports athletes and coaching staff. Parents are responsible for regatta food, lodging, carpooling and chaperoning, team financial support and fundraising activities.
Scholarship assistance is available for program fees, but not MRC membership.
Parents, Check Out US Rowing For Information
About Junior Rowing
Junior Team Alums Who Are Collegiate Crew Team Members:
Andrew Bowles, Breck School, George Washington University
Parker Cook, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, Clare College, Cambridge,
England
Victoria Hammett, Minnetonka High School, MIT
Matt Hubbard, Minnehaha Academy, Hobart College, Geneneva, NY
Caroline Jolstad, Southwest High School, Boston University
Dima Koshevy, Southwest High School, University of St. Thomas
Niko Kubota, Southwest High School, Bowdoin
Martha Kuzzy, Hopkins High School, University of Virginia
Meredith Lis, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, MIT
Ellen Patterson, St. Louis Park High School, Bates College
Ari Resnick, Southwest High School, Brown University
Mikaela Rogers, DeLaSalle High School, University of Minnesota
Kristen Skager, Southwest High School, University of Vermont
Chelsea Smith, Edina High School, Drake University
Alex Syverson, Southwest High School, Stanford University
Britta Syverson, Southwest High School, University of California Los Angeles
Linnea Trandem, Southwest High School, University of Minnesota
Meredith Walter, DeLaSalle High School, Southern Methodist University
Allison Winter, Southwest High School, University of Wisconsin, Madison
*"A Junior is a competitor who in the current calendar year does not attain the age of 19, or who is and has been continuously enrolled in secondary school as a full time student seeking a diploma. A competitor thus ceases to be a Junior after December 31 of the year of his or her 18th birthday, or of the year in which he or she completes the 12th grade of secondary school, having been a full time student, whichever is later." US Rowing Rules of Rowing